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Chicago, Illinois, United States
Hybrid
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
Check out our Avant Blog!
We believe that a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences helps us create the most innovative solutions for our customers. We invite you to apply to our positions even if you do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed in the description. If you’re passionate about our mission and aligned to our values, we hope you’ll come contribute to our awesome culture.
Why Avant is the place for you:
At Avant, we believe our values make a difference:
Authenticity. We show up to work as our whole selves and make sure others can too.
Collaboration. We can only succeed when we do so as a team.
Problem-Solving. The harder the problem, the more satisfying the solution.
Customer. We are all owners of the customer experience.
Initiative. Plan. Adapt. Get Sh!t Done.
We believe that great ideas come from anyone and anywhere, that everyone is an owner who drives change, and that we have more fun when we work together. We're problem solvers who love collaborating with intelligent and highly-motivated people to reshape the face of digital banking. Avant offers terrific perks and benefits, fun social events with employees who actually like hanging out together, and a flexible growth environment where trying your hand at new projects and being the active owner of your career path is encouraged and supported.
To learn more about how Avant collects and uses your personal information, please see the Avant Privacy Policy.
