Director, HR Information Systems

Director, HR Information Systems (Workday)

Grand Canyon Education (GCE) is a rapidly growing educational service company that has long been an industry leader in providing educational, operational and technological support services to the post-secondary education sector. Formerly part of Grand Canyon University (GCU), GCE still works closely with GCU to benefit thousands of students, families and the local inner-city community. We put people first, drive innovation, and do good in the community that we live and work in.

Are you an experienced HR technology and Workday leader who knows how to turn complex HR needs into innovative, effective solutions? As the Director, HR Information Systems (HRIS), you’ll lead and develop a team of HRIS professionals while setting priorities, driving collaboration, and creating a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. You’ll play a key role in shaping how Workday supports our employees, leaders, and HR teams.

This is a strategic, hands-on leadership role for a Workday expert with experience in HCM configuration, business process design, reporting, integrations, security, and system optimization. You’ll guide your team in driving Workday improvements across key HR functions, lead impactful technology projects, strengthen data and reporting capabilities, and partner across HR and IT to create a seamless, data-driven HR experience.

We’re seeking candidates who are local to GCE’s Corporate Office in Phoenix, Arizona, or who are willing to relocate to the area.

What You’ll Do

• Shape the HR technology strategy by developing and prioritizing HRIS initiatives that align with organizational goals, HR priorities, and evolving business needs.
• Lead and inspire an HRIS team by setting priorities, developing talent, providing coaching and feedback, and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Drive Workday optimization and innovation by leading system enhancements, implementations, upgrades, and new functionality that improve HR processes and the employee experience.
• Transform HR data into meaningful insights by developing, analyzing, and delivering accurate, actionable reports and dashboards that support informed decision-making across the organization.
• Champion data integrity and quality by establishing effective auditing practices, identifying opportunities for improvement, and ensuring HR data remains accurate, reliable, and accessible.
• Design smarter HR processes and workflows by evaluating business needs, leveraging Workday capabilities, and developing solutions that streamline processes and improve efficiency.
• Safeguard sensitive employee information by overseeing HRIS security and access controls and ensuring established protocols and compliance requirements are consistently maintained.
• Connect systems and partners by collaborating with IT, HR teams, and external vendors to ensure seamless integrations, accurate data feeds, and reliable system performance.
• Lead cross-functional HR technology projects from planning through implementation, partnering with stakeholders to translate complex business requirements into practical, sustainable solutions.
• Strengthen HR compliance and controls by maintaining system procedures and practices that support SOX requirements and other applicable standards.
• Build a proactive reporting and analytics environment by establishing reporting calendars, anticipating organizational needs, and delivering timely insights to key stakeholders.
• Be a trusted HR technology partner by using strong business acumen, technical expertise, and problem-solving skills to identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and continuously elevate HR technology solutions.
• Tackle complex challenges with confidence by balancing competing priorities, troubleshooting issues, and making thoughtful, solutions-oriented decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Continuously look ahead for opportunities to improve systems, processes, data, and the overall HR technology experience.

What You’ll Bring

• 12+ years of progressive HRIS experience, with a strong track record of leading HR technology initiatives and delivering solutions that support organizational goals.
• 5+ years of hands-on Workday HCM experience, including configuration and optimization of Compensation, Absence, Timekeeping, Talent, and Benefits, as well as implementations, integrations, business processes, and complex reporting.
• 10+ years of experience leading and developing teams, with the ability to set direction, prioritize work, coach and develop talent, and foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
• Experience in a technical or techno-functional role supporting one or more HR ERP implementations.
• Strong understanding of HRIS database structure, data integrity, reporting, auditing, and data analysis, with the ability to identify and resolve issues and translate data into meaningful insights.
• Strong business acumen and technical aptitude, with the ability to understand business needs, evaluate system capabilities, and develop practical, high-quality solutions.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with a solutions-oriented approach to complex challenges.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a commitment to accuracy, data integrity, and quality in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office, with the ability to develop and effectively present reports and data to a variety of audiences.
• A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Information Technology, or a related field is preferred.

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