Join our team as a People Systems expert, who thrives at the intersection of HR, technology, and data. As our People Systems Lead, you'll own and continuously evolve our Workday environment - ensuring it runs seamlessly, scales with our business, and delivers meaningful insights across the organization.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives on keeping systems running smoothly, leading meaningful projects, and turning HR data into actionable insights. You'll be a key partner to HR, Finance, and IT, serving as the internal expert on all things Workday. You will have the opportunity to shape how our organization leverages its people systems.

What You'll Do at Avant:

System Administration & Configuration

• Serve as the primary Workday system administrator, owning configuration, security roles, business processes, and tenant maintenance
• Manage bi-annual Workday feature releases, including evaluating new functionality, leading regression and sandbox testing, and driving adoption of relevant enhancements
• Troubleshoot system issues and maintain thorough documentation of system configurations, processes, and integration specifications
• Partner with stakeholders to gather requirements, translate them into system solutions, manage project timelines, and coordinate User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

Integrations & Reporting

• Lead or contribute to Workday module expansions, enhancements, and integrations with third-party vendors using EIB and Core Connectors
• Build, maintain, and evolve Workday reports and dashboards using Report Writer tools to support decision-making across HR, Finance, and leadership
• Support internal audit data and reporting requirements

Data Governance & HR Operations Support

• Ensure data integrity across the system through regular audits, validation processes, and governance practices; partner with stakeholders to define and surface key workforce metrics (e.g., headcount, turnover)
• Benefits & Equity: Support Workday Benefits module configuration, own Open Enrollment execution, manage carrier integrations (Cloud Connect/EDI), and serve as system liaison for the equity platform (e.g., Carta)

Payroll & Compliance

• Own end-to-end payroll operations in Workday, including validating payroll inputs (compensation changes, bonuses, deductions, and retroactive adjustments), maintaining earning and deduction codes, and ensuring accurate GL postings and reconciliations with Accounting
• Oversee payroll tax compliance for federal, state, local, and Canadian jurisdictions, manage third-party payroll providers and tax agencies, responding to notices, audits, and inquiries
• Lead year-end activities including W-2 configuration and distribution, ACA and EEO-1 reporting, and annual regulatory filings - ensuring accuracy and timeliness throughout
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, controls, and documentation to support audit readiness and drive continuous process improvement.

Why you are a fit at Avant:

• 4+ years of hands-on Workday administration experience, including configuration and reporting
• Workday certification with Core HCM
• Prior functional lead experience across Core HCM, Benefits, Recruiting, and Payroll
• Extensive experience supporting or administering Workday Payroll and managing integrations (EIB, Core Connectors, etc.)
• Proven experience managing implementation/enhancement projects, including UAT and sandbox testing, and proficiency with Workday Report Writer
• Solid analytical skills and a detail-oriented approach to data quality and governance
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders and provide end-user enablement
• Bachelor's degree in HR, Information Systems, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Workday Pro certification(s) in one or more modules preferred
• Familiarity with Workday Advanced Compensation
• Experience with equity platforms and integrating them with Workday
• Exposure to Workday Time Tracking and Absence Management configuration
• Familiarity with Workday's AI/ML capabilities and emerging platform roadmap

This role is based on our downtown Chicago Office, located in the Merchandise Mart. We highly value collaboration and our hybrid schedule (M, T, Th in-office) enables flexibility to balance work and individual priorities.

The base salary range for this job is USD $110,000 - USD $125,000 / Year

Employees new to Avant typically come in below the midpoint of the pay range. The compensation range is based on the level outlined in the job posting, and compensation decisions are dependent on each applicant's experience, skills and abilities.

[If an outstanding applicant's experience and skill level is above or below the qualifications outlined in the job posting, we reserve the right to make an offer at a different level than the one listed in this job posting, which may have a different compensation range.]

This role is eligible for additional incentives, including an annual bonus. These rewards are allocated based on level, impact and performance in the role.

Our benefits include:

• Choice of great Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plan options
• 401(k) match
• Flexible Time Off
• Flexible Work Environment - (i.e. Mon/Tues/Thurs in-person)
• Generous Paid Parental Leave, Adoption Assistance and Post-parental leave ramp-up program
• Lunch Allowance (Fooda) and In-office Snacks
• Summer Fridays
• Fun In-Office and Virtual Social Events
• And who doesn't love the swag

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