Workday Product Owner

Vertex Education is seeking an experienced and strategic Workday Product Owner to lead the transformation and long-term success of our Workday platform. This role owns the product roadmap drives platform optimization manages execution across configuration security and integrations and leads a small but capable systems team. The ideal candidate will bring both strategic clarity and operational rigor - ensuring Workday delivers real measurable value to HR Finance and the broader organization.

This is a pivotal leadership role focused on converting a fragmented under-leveraged system into a high-performing platform that enables efficient scalable operations in service of our schools and students.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Roadmapping & Prioritization

• Build and maintain a clear actionable 1218 month roadmap for all Workday modules (HCM Payroll Time Recruiting Financials).

• Develop and manage a prioritization matrix that evaluates requests based on impact urgency complexity and alignment with organizational priorities.

• Own and continuously refine the Workday backlog ensuring it is groomed well-documented and focused on value-creating work.

• Evaluate and lead adoption planning for Workdays bi-annual feature releases ensuring intentional uptake of relevant functionality.

2. Process Optimization & Stakeholder Diagnostics

• Lead requirements gathering sessions business diagnostics and design workshops to uncover root causes and improvement opportunities.

• Partner with HR Finance and school support teams to understand operational pain points and design scalable user-centered solutions.

• Translate stakeholder needs into process improvements and system changes that reduce manual effort streamline approvals and improve data accuracy.

3. Team Execution & Agile Delivery

• Lead the Workday team (2 HRIS Analysts 1 Financial Analyst) to deliver enhancements and fixes through disciplined value-focused sprint cycles.

• Ensure the team is operating with clarity velocity and qualityby setting sprint goals removing blockers and driving retrospectives.

• Provide direct coaching and support to team members to grow capabilities and maintain high standards.

4. System Configuration Security & Integrations

• Oversee system configuration security roles business process design and validationensuring they meet business needs and audit standards.

• Manage and monitor Workday integrations (e.g. benefits time & attendance accounting) ensuring data integrity and reliability across platforms.

• Define and enforce documentation standards naming conventions and change control processes across all modules.

5. Vendor & Spend Management

• Act as the primary manager for Workday-related third partiesconsultants implementation partners and vendors.

• Develop clear scopes of work success criteria and performance metrics for all external engagements.

• Monitor and manage Workday-related spend ensuring a clear return on investment for all contracted work.

6. Reporting Governance & Value Measurement

• Deliver accurate actionable reporting from Workday that enables informed decision-making at every level of the organization.

• Establish system governance and intake processes to ensure prioritization is transparent and aligned with business goals.

• Define and track KPIs that reflect real business valuee.g. automation rates turnaround times error reduction and system adoption.

Education & Experience:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration Information Systems a related field or equivalent experience.

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in product ownership or product management preferably in enterprise systems or ERP platforms.

• Proven experience working cross-functionally with HR Finance IT stakeholders and managing vendor relationships to deliver platform enhancements.

• Experience managing or coaching a team and overseeing roadmap prioritization and delivery of platform features.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Workday Pro certification or equivalent ERP-related credentials.

• Experience supporting Workday across multiple modules including HCM Payroll and Finance.

• Familiarity with Workday release planning and stakeholder training/communication strategies.