HR Systems Workday Specialist

EMBL is currently in the midst of an exciting ERP transformation programme to replace our existing HR system landscape across all of our six sites with a new HCM system (Workday). By standardising and digitalising our tools and processes we want to ensure an optimal experience for all our users from applicants and employees to managers and HR staff.

A number of key Workday HCM modules have now been successfully implemented including Core HCM Compensation & Benefits Absence and Recruitment. Future phases in the planning include Learning & Talent Management and Payroll. However there is still a significant amount of work to be done to fully round-off the implementation completed so far and to maximise the usage of the tools that we now have available in order to achieve the full benefits. Meanwhile we remain reliant on our outgoing system (SAP) for payroll which requires ongoing integration of data between the two systems. On top of this EMBL is a fascinatingly intricate and constantly-evolving organisation which presents exciting but uniquely complex challenges from an HR systems implementation and management perspective.

Your role

As an in-house specialist in both HR systems and HR processes you will partner with colleagues both within and outside of the HR function to understand implement refine and communicate new system-related processes and help drive end-user adoption of HR technology tools and solutions. As part of the HR Analytics and Systems team within the wider HR team you will be our Workday HCM product owner and champion working in close partnership with our ERP team and our Operational Management Team to develop integrated solutions and ensure delivery for major HR system-centred projects and processes with a one EMBL approach.

You will take a lead on managing designing and configuring future Workday functionality solutions and process changes that enhance and optimise HR processes at EMBL with responsibilities including:

• Collaboration with centralised cross-functional teams including ERP OMT and IT teams to ensure Workday-related projects and integrations are aligned and delivered
• Actively participate in the review testing and implementation of Workday releases; assess impact own testing document and communicate changes to the relevant HR teams.
• Leverage technology to enhance HR processes streamline workflows and drive efficiency.
• Analyse requirements from various stakeholders both within and outside of HR and assess them against current and potential system capabilities.
• Work closely with Senior HR Management to prioritise HR-related system development needs balancing competing demands and allocating resources (time effort) effectively.
• Creating detailed specifications for HR processes policies and system enhancements.
• Supporting day-to-day system-related issues which have been escalated by HR colleagues for resolution or development.
• Proactively use Workday Community to stay current on new features and functionality leading practices and identify resolutions to issues
• Implement user access controls and address any security risks.
• Oversee the temporary integration of core pay-impacting data from the Workday system with our legacy ERP system (SAP) in collaboration with Payroll and ERP colleagues and liaising with external consultants from the integration tool provider (PWC) where required
• Establishing an ERP/Workday knowledge base for HR users and supporting with the training and upskilling of colleagues in the wider HR team
• Provide back-end intervention where justified to resolve HR user issues via the Workday HR Administrator role whilst pushing back where appropriate to ensure HR staff remain empowered rather than dependent
• Act as a Workday Subject Matter Expert within HR during future HCM implementation phases (e.g. Learning & Talent Management; Payroll) assessing and raising awareness on the potential impact of configuration decisions made by the relevant project teams on our existing Workday HCM configuration to maximise harmonisation across modules
• Support the development of EMBL HRs in-house Workday reporting suite

You have

• Degree level education and a professional qualification in Human Resource Management - or an equivalent level of knowledge and expertise gained through training and experience
• Experience of working as an HR professional in a multicultural organisation with a complicated staff rules and regulations framework
• Experience of operating as an in-house HR Superuser with a good working knowledge of at least 2 of the following Workday HCM modules: Core HCM; Compensation; Benefits; Absence Recruiting along with the ability to quickly achieve a suitable level of competence in those modules that you are not already familiar with (where relevant)
• Experience of translating HR processes into system requirements with the confidence to question and challenge in order to find solutions and suggest improvements
• Experience of documenting processes and creating SOPs and user guides
• Experience of providing coaching delivering training and upskilling colleagues on HR system-related matters
• Commitment to your own Continuing Professional Development including a willingness to expand your Workday HCM knowledge and skills
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Ability to take ownership of your work in a self-organised and structured way
• Strong teamworking communication and interpersonal skills with a customer-focussed approach
• Fluency in spoken and written English

You may also have

• Experience with SAP HR/Payroll
• Good working knowledge of one or more of the following Workday HCM modules: Reporting; Learning and Talent Management; Payroll
• Experience of working as an HR professional in an international organisation
• Knowledge of another language in addition to English

Contract length: 3 years (renewable up to 9 years)

Salary: Grade 6 (monthly salary starting at 4459.95 after tax) other paid benefits based on personal circumstances

There are two positions available.

Why join us

EMBL is curiosity-driven community-oriented and international. As an inclusive equal opportunity employer we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture - one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation.

We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives:Salary free of income tax Monthly family child and non-resident allowances annual salary review pension scheme death benefit long-term care accident-at-work and unemployment insurances

• Flexible working arrangements

• Private medical insurancefor you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)

• Generous time off:30 days annual leave per year in addition to public holidays

• Relocation packageincluding installation grant (if applicable)

• Campus life:Free shuttle bus (select sites) on-site library subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria casual dress code extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)

• Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg) 10 days of child sick leave generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances

• Benefits for international newcomers:Visa exemption education grant for private schooling financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.

• For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Visit our International Applicants page to find out more.

• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.

• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women LGBTQ & individuals from all nationalities.

• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

Closing Date