We’re seeking a skilled and highly hands-on Senior Workday HCM System Administrator to join our Technology & Operations Services team as the primary technical owner of our Workday platform. This role will serve as the organization’s dedicated Workday technical resource, responsible for the day-to-day administration, configuration, optimization, support, and continuous improvement of the system across multiple functional areas.
In this role, you will manage Workday configuration changes, business process updates, security administration, reporting enhancements, troubleshooting, integrations, testing, and ongoing system support while ensuring the platform operates efficiently, securely, and at scale.
You’ll partner closely with stakeholders across People & Culture (HR), Finance, Payroll, and Technology to deliver scalable solutions, maintain data integrity, and drive continuous process improvement. This position is ideal for someone who thrives as a highly autonomous individual contributor and enjoys owning complex systems work end-to-end in a fast-paced environment.
If you’re passionate about HR technology, system optimization, and cross-functional collaboration, we’d love to hear from you!
System Administration & Configuration
Serve as the primary technical owner and subject matter expert for the Workday HCM platform, ensuring stability, security, scalability, and overall system performance across Core HCM, Compensation, Benefits, Recruiting, Payroll, and Absence modules.
Act as the organization’s primary hands-on Workday administrator, executing configuration changes, business process updates, security maintenance, calculated fields, notifications, condition rules, and organizational structure updates based on evolving business needs.
Manage and maintain Workday security administration, including role-based access, periodic access reviews, compliance monitoring, and data governance standards.
Partner closely with People & Culture, Finance, Payroll, and Technology teams to design, optimize, and implement scalable Workday solutions aligned to operational and strategic priorities.
Serve as the escalation point for complex Tier 2/3 system issues, troubleshooting configuration, security, reporting, and integration-related challenges.
Support and maintain integrations, system enhancements, feature rollouts, and Workday semi-annual releases, including impact analysis, testing coordination, documentation, and deployment activities.
Perform data audits, EIB uploads, mass updates, and validation activities to maintain data integrity, system accuracy, and compliance with internal controls and governance standards.
Monitor overall system health and proactively identify opportunities for optimization, automation, and continuous improvement.
Data Management & Reporting
Oversee the integrity, accuracy, and security of employee and organizational data within Workday, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external reporting requirements.
Build, enhance, and maintain advanced Workday reports, dashboards, and calculated field solutions to support People & Culture, Payroll, Finance, and operational leadership.
Partner with Finance and Payroll teams on position management, cost center hierarchies, workforce reporting, and payroll audit activities.
Support data migration, validation, and reconciliation efforts related to system enhancements, organizational changes, acquisitions, or future Workday functionality expansions.
Provide analytical insights and reporting recommendations to support workforce planning, compliance, operational decision-making, and process optimization initiatives.
Cross-Functional Partnership & Change Management
Act as a strategic technical partner to People & Culture, Payroll, Finance, and Technology stakeholders, translating business requirements into scalable and sustainable Workday solutions.
Coordinate and execute change management activities related to Workday enhancements and process improvements, including stakeholder communication, testing coordination, training, and end-user support.
Develop and maintain system documentation, configuration standards, process flows, and training materials to support governance and user adoption.
Collaborate with internal technology teams and external vendors to troubleshoot issues, improve system efficiency, and support ongoing platform enhancements.
Promote effective system utilization through proactive user education, process standardization, and continuous support.
Cross-Functional Partnership & Change Management
Stay current on Workday releases, roadmap updates, Community resources, and industry best practices to proactively identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.
Execute and support Workday enhancement initiatives, process optimization efforts, and future module implementations.
Evaluate existing workflows and recommend scalable solutions that improve operational efficiency, reporting capabilities, user experience, and data governance.
Support long-term HR technology strategy through continuous system optimization and partnership with cross-functional leadership teams.
Continuous Improvement & Projects
Stay current on Workday Community updates, release notes, and best practices to drive continuous improvement.
Lead or support Workday enhancement projects, ensuring smooth testing, documentation, and deployment of new capabilities.
Promote user adoption and education through documentation, training sessions, and proactive support.
Required Qualifications
Minimum 4+ years of progressive Workday HCM administration experience, including advanced configuration, reporting, security, and cross-functional systems support within a complex organization.
Hands-on expertise supporting multiple Workday modules, including Core HCM, Recruiting, Payroll, Benefits, Compensation, and/or Absence.
Demonstrated experience configuring business processes, security roles, calculated fields, condition rules, notifications, and EIB data loads.
Strong understanding of Workday security administration, data governance, system controls, and compliance best practices.
Experience supporting Workday semi-annual release activities, including impact analysis, testing coordination, deployment planning, and stakeholder communication.
Proven ability to partner cross-functionally with People & Culture, Payroll, Finance, and IT teams to deliver effective and scalable system solutions.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
Experience supporting advanced reporting, dashboards, workforce analytics, and operational reporting needs.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Preferred Qualifications
Workday certification(s) in Core HCM, Reporting, Security, Payroll, or related functional areas.
Experience supporting Workday implementations, module expansions, acquisitions, or large-scale system enhancement initiatives.
Demonstrated expertise across multiple functional areas, with deep configuration knowledge in at least 2–3 core Workday modules.
Experience within accounting, finance, professional services, or other fast-paced, matrixed environments preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Human Resources, Business, Accounting, or a related field preferred.
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At Cohen & Co our foundational principles offer insight into how we achieve an inclusive, growth-oriented culture that fuels the success of our firm, our clients and our people. In particular, we honor our foundational principle of “great people first” by:
Championing the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion by embracing the unique stories, backgrounds, perspectives and ideas that come from our people; and
Offering a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package, which allows each employee to use the benefits that best suits their needs. Our offerings go beyond standard options, including time off outside of your standard PTO to give back to the community, annual discretionary merit increases and bonuses, talent development resources to tap into growth opportunities, and so much more!
Discover our Passion, Purpose & Expertise
Learn more about our Firm's culture
*Base compensation offered to candidates are determined based on factors such as candidate's relevant skillset, experience, licensure, and certifications, as well as job responsibilities, geography, market considerations, and organizational needs. At Cohen & Co, we don't stop at setting ourselves apart by offering competitive base compensation. As part of our 'great people first' foundational principle, our firm offers a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that allows each employee to design a package that best suits their needs and goes beyond standard options, including time off outside of your standard PTO to recharge and give back to the community, annual discretionary merit increases and bonuses, talent development resources to tap into growth opportunities.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity of thought and background to build an inclusive and energized culture and better meet the needs of our clients.
Agency recruiters may not submit unsolicited candidate information or resumes to any Cohen & Co employee without a recruiting services contract first being entered into with the Cohen & Co Talent Acquisition Team; see policy here.
Skills Required
- Minimum 4+ years progressive Workday HCM administration experience including advanced configuration, reporting, security, and cross-functional systems support
- Hands-on expertise supporting multiple Workday modules (Core HCM, Recruiting, Payroll, Benefits, Compensation, Absence)
- Experience configuring business processes, security roles, calculated fields, condition rules, notifications, and EIB data loads
- Strong understanding of Workday security administration, data governance, system controls, and compliance best practices
- Experience supporting Workday semi-annual release activities including impact analysis, testing coordination, and deployment planning
- Proven ability to partner cross-functionally with People & Culture, Payroll, Finance, and IT teams to deliver scalable system solutions
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, organizational, and problem-solving skills with ability to manage multiple priorities independently
- Experience supporting advanced reporting, dashboards, workforce analytics, and operational reporting needs
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; able to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences
- Workday certification(s) in Core HCM, Reporting, Security, Payroll, or related functional areas
- Experience supporting Workday implementations, module expansions, acquisitions, or large-scale system enhancement initiatives
- Deep configuration expertise across multiple functional areas (2-3 core Workday modules)
- Experience within accounting, finance, professional services, or other fast-paced matrixed environments
- Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Human Resources, Business, Accounting, or related field
What We Do
Founded in 1977, Cohen & Co is a top tax and accounting firm recognized by USA TODAY. The company provides top-tier tax, assurance, and advisory services to a diverse range of clients, including privately held companies, public and private funds, fund service providers within the asset management industry, and Fortune 1000 multinational enterprises across the United States and internationally.
