HRIS Architect
Grand Canyon Education · Phoenix
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.
The HRIS Architect serves as the technical and functional design authority for the organization’s Workday ecosystem. This role is responsible for system architecture, integrations, data design, and governance, ensuring scalable, efficient, and compliant HR processes across multiple business units. The HRIS Architect partners with internal departments, such as HR, IT, Payroll, and Benefits, and external vendors to design and optimize solutions across Workday modules, including Core HCM, Time Tracking, Absence, Compensation, Benefits, Talent, Recruiting, and Integrations.
Primary Responsibilities /Accountabilities/ Essential Functions:
- Serve as design authority for Workday configuration and cross-module functionality.
- Partner with HR staff and process owners to develop strategies, objectives and roadmaps for HRIS applications.
- Partner with HR and cross-functional stakeholders to define business requirements and translate business needs into automated HRIS processes inclusive of multi-year and tactical system implementation plans which comprise project prioritization, scheduling and resource planning and monitoring.
- Steward user experience for the HR applications supported, monitoring systems and user feedback, ensuring the development of processes, tools, support materials and training to maximize systems or system adoption.
- Configure HRIS applications based on functional requirements for cloud-based solutions, partnering as appropriately with IT staff.
- Implement, test and validate configurations and changes in accordance with business requirements and the University’s technical guidelines and coordinates user acceptance testing with business users.
- Develop and customizes reports accessible for use by staff in accordance with current business need and practices.
- Own integrations, data mapping, and vendor connectivity.
- Create and execute integration and regression test scripts and coordinates user acceptance testing with business users.
- Provide production support and troubleshooting for the HRIS and its integration points with other software and modules.
- Provide support to end-users of HRIS applications, answering questions, resolving issues and following through on any reported or unresolved issues ensuring timely and reliable response.
- Other duties as assigned.
Experience/ Education
- 10+ years’ Workday experience, including at least 5+ years working in a senior, lead, administrator, architect or other expert-level Workday role. Experience must be across Core HCM, Time, Absence, Comp, Benefits, Talent, Recruiting, and include Security Model and Integration experience (EIB, and Core Connector experience required, Studio preferred). Payroll integration knowledge required (ADP preferred).
- Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline, such as Human Resources, Information Systems, or similar, from a regionally accredited institution. An equivalent combination of education and related work experience may be substituted, subject to the hiring supervisor’s approval.
- Experience supporting large (10k+) employee organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to think holistically about HR systems and system design, understanding how configurations, integrations, data flows, and business processes interact across the organization.
- Advanced problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose complex system and process issues, identify root causes, and implement effective, long-term solutions. Proactively identifies risks, inefficiencies, and gaps, and drives continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong ability to operate at the intersection of technical systems and HR functional needs, translating business requirements into system configurations and vice versa. Demonstrates deep understanding of HR processes alongside hands-on technical expertise in system design, configuration, and integrations.
- Exercises sound judgment and independent decision-making in a complex environment, making recommendations that impact system design, data integrity, and business operations.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Effectively facilitates discussions between business and technical teams, ensuring alignment, understanding, and successful outcomes.
- Proven track record of managing multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously, delivering accurate and high-quality work within established deadlines. Demonstrates strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to operate efficiently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Must be able to pass pre-employment background investigation.