Workday Lead, On-site role

Ciena; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision plans

401(k) with company matching

ESPP

EAP

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Paid vacation

Job summary

Ciena, a global leader in high-speed connectivity, seeks a Workday Lead to advance technology, automation, and AI for employees across the organization.

You will translate business needs into practical, scalable solutions by partnering with People & Culture teams, Workday analysts, and IT Employee Services, while upholding privacy, security, and ethical guardrails in all deployments.

The role reports to the Director, People & Culture Technology and supports 37+ countries with global impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education in HR, business administration, information technology, or related field.
• 5+ years of enterprise HRIS experience, including Workday configuration.
• Experience with automation, AI solutions, and People & Culture apps (ATS, learning, or compensation).

Responsibilities

• Partner with People & Culture stakeholders to assess processes, define requirements, and identify technology improvements.
• Analyze complex needs and fragmented processes and recommend scalable, compliant, user‑centred solutions.
• Prioritize opportunities to use Microsoft 365 Copilot, automation, AI, Workday, and other tools to simplify work and decisions.
• Collaborate with Workday analysts and IT Employee Services on requirements, integrations, configuration, and end‑to‑end solutions.
• Apply privacy, legal, security, and ethical guardrails to automation and AI solutions.
• Manage multiple initiatives in a fast‑paced environment using sound judgment, creative problem‑solving, and customer focus.
• Recommend process and technology improvements independently for global teams across more than 37 countries.

Skills

Workday configuration

HRIS systems

Automation

AI solutions

People & Culture applications

Microsoft 365 Copilot

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being—on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.

The Workday Lead advances technology, automation, and artificial intelligence to deliver measurable, scalable, and compliant value for employees across Ciena’s global organization. Reporting to the Director, People & Culture Technology, this role translates business needs into practical solutions that improve operational efficiency and the employee experience. Collaboration with People & Culture Centres of Excellence, Project Managers, Workday analysts, and the IT Employee Services team enables effective, user‑centred technology solutions.

For this opportunity, we are looking for someone who can work from one of our key hub locations in either Ottawa, Atlanta, Maryland, or New Jersey. Given this you will see different salary ranges posted based on those geographies.

How You Will Make An Impact

• Partner with People & Culture stakeholders to assess processes, define requirements, and identify technology improvements.
• Analyze complex needs and fragmented processes and recommend scalable, compliant, user‑centred solutions.
• Prioritize opportunities to use Microsoft 365 Copilot, automation, AI, Workday, and other tools to simplify work and decisions.
• Collaborate with Workday analysts and IT Employee Services on requirements, integrations, configuration, and end‑to‑end solutions.
• Apply privacy, legal, security, and ethical guardrails to automation and AI solutions.
• Manage multiple initiatives in a fast‑paced environment using sound judgment, creative problem‑solving, and customer focus.
• Recommend process and technology improvements independently for global teams across more than 37 countries.

The Must Haves

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education in Human Resources, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of enterprise HRIS experience, including Workday configuration.
• Experience with automation, AI solutions, and People & Culture applications such as applicant tracking, learning, or compensation systems.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a Human Resources or People & Culture function.
• Workday HCM, Reporting, and Security experience.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 Copilot or similar enterprise AI and automation tools.
• Experience developing change management, process, or training materials.

Pay Ranges

For Ottawa, ON the salary range is $79, 000 - $126, 200 CAD.

For Maryland and Atlanta locations the salary range is $82, 400 - $131, 600 USD.

For New Jersey, the salary range is $94, 800 - $151, 400 USD.

Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.

Non‑Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company‑paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard.

Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals.

We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.