Workday Solution Architect (Core HCM & Configuration)

Role Title: Workday Solution Architect (Core HCM & Configuration)

Location: Remote

Duration: 12+ Months / Permanent (Enterprise Transformation Initiative)

Target Profile: 50% Solution Architecture | 50% Hands-on Configuration

Key Recruiter Note: This is not an integration/technical development role (no Workday Studio/coding required). We are looking for a highly consultative, functional architect who can challenge business requirements, design scalable solutions, and perform hands-on tenant configuration.

Role Summary

State Street is seeking an experienced Workday Solution Architect with strong expertise in Core HCM and Workday configuration to support enterprise HR transformation initiatives.

The ideal candidate will work directly with HR Centers of Excellence (COEs) to understand business challenges, design scalable Workday solutions, configure the platform, and recommend process improvements that reduce manual effort and simplify HR operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Consultative Discovery: Partner directly with HR COE stakeholders to understand underlying business problems before proposing designs—be the person asking "what are you actually trying to solve for?"
• Solution Design: Design scalable Workday solutions aligned with global HR strategy and business objectives.
• Hands-on Build: Perform configuration in live production tenants, including:
• Business Process (BP) Configuration
• Calculated Fields
• Condition Rules
• Custom Reports
• Architectural Guidance: Evaluate trade-offs between standard Workday functionality, configuration workarounds, and policy changes to make clear recommendations. Provide build-vs-buy guidance for HR tech initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Impact Analysis: Assess how changes ripple across modules (e.g., Core HCM, Recruiting, Talent, Performance, Advanced Compensation).
• Collaborative Execution: Partner with dedicated Security teams on security design and Data Management teams on EIBs and worker data loads (execution is handled by those teams).
• Release Management: Evaluate Workday''s biannual releases for impact and recommend feature adoption.
• Documentation: Maintain comprehensive configuration and design decision documentation for auditability.

Qualifications & Requirements

Must-Have (Required):

• 15+ years of hands-on Workday configuration experience in enterprise environments.
• Proven ownership of end-to-end solution design and configuration (from requirements to implementation).
• Deep Core HCM expertise, with solid experience in at least two of the following:
• Recruiting
• Performance Management
• Talent Management
• Advanced Compensation
• Succession Planning
• Advanced tenant skills: Deep comfort with Business Processes, Complex Calculated Fields, Condition Rules, and Custom Reports.
• Working knowledge of Workday Security concepts, EIBs, and worker data loads.
• Strong consulting instincts: Comfortable challenging business assumptions, pushing back on COEs when simpler solutions exist, and explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Nice-to-Have (Preferred):

• Active Workday Certification (Core HCM or relevant Workday Suite).
• Experience with Workday Prism Analytics.
• Background supporting Global HR organizations or complex financial/enterprise environments.
• Knowledge of Payroll, core Compensation, and broader Workday ecosystem touchpoints.
• Experience leading massive HR transformation or process optimization initiatives.