Workday Data Conversion Lead

• JOB DETAILS: Workday Data Conversion Lead
• Reports to Workday Practice Leader
• May carry direct reports depending on experience level
• Team size varies by project: 1–2 people on smaller engagements, up to 6 on larger ones
• Leads both internal data conversion teams and client-side teams
• Serves as subject matter expert and lead on end-to-end data migration activities across Workday implementations (HCM, Payroll, Finance)
• Develops and maintains comprehensive data conversion and tenant-build project plans, workbooks, and mapping requirements
• Defines data extraction, transformation, and load sequencing strategies in collaboration with client SMEs, functional consultants, and technical architects
• Leads iterative conversion testing cycles (Foundation, Configuration, End to End, Parallel, Gold/Production loads); manages defect logs
• Supports cutover planning: data freeze windows, load dependencies, go-live readiness criteria
• Produces conversion governance documentation including sign-off packages, issues logs, and lessons learned artifacts
• Builds and executes Workday loads via EIB, Advanced Load, and other methods
• Develops reconciliation scripts and validation reports to confirm accuracy against source systems
• Mentors junior conversion analysts across concurrent workstreams
• Partners with practice leadership to build tools, templates, and repeatable processes
• Travels for key project milestones: kickoffs, design/data-gathering sessions, testing milestones (est. 8–10 trips over a 24-month engagement; ~25% travel is the top-end expectation)
• Three-Tier Role Scope:
• Tier 1 (Minimum / Required): Hands-on Workday tenant builds; standard data conversion execution
• Tier 2 (Preferred): Team management + customer-facing extraction and transformation work
• Tier 3 (Unicorn): All of the above + strategic contribution to internal tooling and practice growth
• MUST-HAVE REQUIREMENTS:
• Active Workday Data Conversion and/or Data Loading Certification (non-expired; Workday Pro a potential alternative)
• 3+ years of Workday-specific data conversion experience across HCM, Payroll, and/or Finance (formal Lead title not required; next-step candidates considered)
• Proficiency in EIB, XSLT, Workday Customer Central, and Workday-delivered data migration and load tools
• Advanced Excel (data manipulation, reconciliation, validation)
• SQL proficiency for data extraction and transformation from relational source systems
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent conversion workstreams under tight implementation timelines
• U.S. work authorization without sponsorship
• PREFERENCES:
• Financial data conversion experience strongly preferred: GL balances, open AP/AR, suppliers and customers, fixed assets, banking data, chart of accounts
• Located in Chicago, IL; Denver, CO or Detroit, MI also attractive
• Prior consulting experience with a certified Workday implementation partner or SI
• Additional Workday functional certifications (Financial Management, HCM, Payroll)
• Experience migrating data from legacy ERP/HRIS platforms (Oracle EBS, SAP, PeopleSoft, ADP)
• Experience managing or mentoring data conversion team members
• Ambition to contribute to practice growth, internal tooling, and methodology development
• Committed to staying in data/conversion work — not transitioning to functional roles
• CO SIZE: Small-to-mid size; growing consulting firm headquartered in Chicago. Founded 1985; rebranded 2025. Named to Crain's Best Places to Work in Chicago and Inc. 5000.
• REASONS TO WORK HERE:
• High-growth trajectory: actively expanding its Workday deployment practice — this role is central to that growth, not a backfill
• Visible impact: Small, focused team means your work directly shapes practice outcomes and client results
• Cutting-edge data ecosystem: Work alongside Snowflake and Databricks partners on enterprise AI and analytics solutions
• Energetic office culture in Chicago: Young, social team that engages outside the office (rec leagues, outings)
• Geographic community: Strong talent clusters in Chicago, Denver, and Detroit — you won't feel isolated wherever you're based
• Career acceleration: Clear path to people leadership, internal tooling, and practice strategy
• Competitive total comp: $140K–$200K salary + ~10% bonus + 401(k) with match + company-paid health/dental/vision/disability/life + 4 weeks PTO + 10 holidays + employee referral bonuses
• Stability with momentum: 40 years of operating history behind a bold new brand and growth phase
• INTERVIEW / START:
• Round 1: Phone screen with Practice Lead (~45 min) — experience and culture fit; not highly technical
• Round 2: Team round with peers (~90–120 min) — most technical/situational; scenario-based questions on data conversion management
• Round 3: Culture/leadership round with practice leadership
• Round 4: Final round with Practice Lead — comp discussion and close
• Target Start: July 13, 2026
• JOB DETAILS: Workday Data Conversion Lead
• Reports to Workday Practice Leader
• May carry direct reports depending on experience level
• Team size varies by project: 1–2 people on smaller engagements, up to 6 on larger ones
• Leads both internal data conversion teams and client-side teams
• Serves as subject matter expert and lead on end-to-end data migration activities across Workday implementations (HCM, Payroll, Finance)
• Develops and maintains comprehensive data conversion and tenant-build project plans, workbooks, and mapping requirements
• Defines data extraction, transformation, and load sequencing strategies in collaboration with client SMEs, functional consultants, and technical architects
• Leads iterative conversion testing cycles (Foundation, Configuration, End to End, Parallel, Gold/Production loads); manages defect logs
• Supports cutover planning: data freeze windows, load dependencies, go-live readiness criteria
• Produces conversion governance documentation including sign-off packages, issues logs, and lessons learned artifacts
• Builds and executes Workday loads via EIB, Advanced Load, and other methods
• Develops reconciliation scripts and validation reports to confirm accuracy against source systems
• Mentors junior conversion analysts across concurrent workstreams
• Partners with practice leadership to build tools, templates, and repeatable processes
• Travels for key project milestones: kickoffs, design/data-gathering sessions, testing milestones (est. 8–10 trips over a 24-month engagement; ~25% travel is the top-end expectation)
• Three-Tier Role Scope:
• Tier 1 (Minimum / Required): Hands-on Workday tenant builds; standard data conversion execution
• Tier 2 (Preferred): Team management + customer-facing extraction and transformation work
• Tier 3 (Unicorn): All of the above + strategic contribution to internal tooling and practice growth
• MUST-HAVE REQUIREMENTS:
• Active Workday Data Conversion and/or Data Loading Certification (non-expired; Workday Pro a potential alternative)
• 3+ years of Workday-specific data conversion experience across HCM, Payroll, and/or Finance (formal Lead title not required; next-step candidates considered)
• Proficiency in EIB, XSLT, Workday Customer Central, and Workday-delivered data migration and load tools
• Advanced Excel (data manipulation, reconciliation, validation)
• SQL proficiency for data extraction and transformation from relational source systems
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent conversion workstreams under tight implementation timelines
• U.S. work authorization without sponsorship
• PREFERENCES:
• Financial data conversion experience strongly preferred: GL balances, open AP/AR, suppliers and customers, fixed assets, banking data, chart of accounts
• Located in Chicago, IL; Denver, CO or Detroit, MI also attractive
• Prior consulting experience with a certified Workday implementation partner or SI
• Additional Workday functional certifications (Financial Management, HCM, Payroll)
• Experience migrating data from legacy ERP/HRIS platforms (Oracle EBS, SAP, PeopleSoft, ADP)
• Experience managing or mentoring data conversion team members
• Ambition to contribute to practice growth, internal tooling, and methodology development
• Committed to staying in data/conversion work — not transitioning to functional roles
• CO SIZE: Small-to-mid size; growing consulting firm headquartered in Chicago. Founded 1985; rebranded 2025. Named to Crain's Best Places to Work in Chicago and Inc. 5000.
• REASONS TO WORK HERE:
• High-growth trajectory: actively expanding its Workday deployment practice — this role is central to that growth, not a backfill
• Visible impact: Small, focused team means your work directly shapes practice outcomes and client results
• Cutting-edge data ecosystem: Work alongside Snowflake and Databricks partners on enterprise AI and analytics solutions
• Energetic office culture in Chicago: Young, social team that engages outside the office (rec leagues, outings)
• Geographic community: Strong talent clusters in Chicago, Denver, and Detroit — you won't feel isolated wherever you're based
• Career acceleration: Clear path to people leadership, internal tooling, and practice strategy
• Competitive total comp: $140K–$200K salary + ~10% bonus + 401(k) with match + company-paid health/dental/vision/disability/life + 4 weeks PTO + 10 holidays + employee referral bonuses
• Stability with momentum: 40 years of operating history behind a bold new brand and growth phase
• INTERVIEW / START:
• Round 1: Phone screen with Practice Lead (~45 min) — experience and culture fit; not highly technical
• Round 2: Team round with peers (~90–120 min) — most technical/situational; scenario-based questions on data conversion management
• Round 3: Culture/leadership round with practice leadership
• Round 4: Final round with Practice Lead — comp discussion and close
• Target Start: July 13, 2026

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