Workday OPAL Product Director

The Office of Innovation and Technology is seeking a Workday Product Director to lead, manage, and grow a large team responsible for the implementation, optimization, and continuous improvement of Workday across various modules. This leadership role will oversee a team of 40 professionals working across Workday’s Financial and Purchasing modules to drive operational excellence, improve efficiencies, and enhance system capabilities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Workday, combined with leadership experience in managing large, cross-functional teams within a complex organizational environment. This role requires a deep understanding of Workday’s capabilities and best practices, as well as the ability to drive product strategy, manage cross-functional teams, and deliver impactful results that meet the needs of public sector stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have experience in a large public sector environment and will be passionate about enhancing Finance, Purchasing, and operations through cutting-edge technology.

Workday Product Strategy & Roadmap Development:

· Define and maintain the Workday product roadmap aligned with the strategic goals of the organization.

· Collaborate with senior leaders, stakeholders, and department heads to prioritize and align Workday initiatives with broader organizational objectives.

· Manage product lifecycle from concept to delivery, ensuring the solutions meet business needs, regulatory requirements, and user expectations.

Cross-Functional Team Collaboration:

· Lead, mentor, and manage a team of 40 professionals across various functions, including functional experts, analysts, and system administrators, ensuring high performance, productivity, and engagement.

· Serve as the primary liaison between business stakeholders and technical teams, translating business requirements into actionable system configurations and enhancements.

· Provide strategic direction and thought leadership to team members across different Workday modules, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and priorities.

· Develop and implement training programs to continuously enhance the team’s technical expertise and leadership skills.

· Provide guidance on Workday best practices and drive change management initiatives to ensure successful adoption of new features.

Project Management & Delivery:

· Lead the execution of Workday implementation projects, upgrades, and system configurations, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.

· Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, ensuring transparent communication on project statuses, timelines, risks, and outcomes.

· Identify and mitigate risks that could affect project timelines or quality, taking corrective action as needed.

Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

· Work with business stakeholders and technical teams to evaluate system performance, monitor key metrics, and implement updates or new features that drive efficiency and effectiveness.

· Lead the evaluation and deployment of new Workday features and functionality, ensuring continuous

enhancement of the platform’s capabilities.

· Ensure the effective integration of Workday with other enterprise systems, managing dependencies and resolving challenges as needed.

Stakeholder Communication & Training:

· Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for all Workday-related topics, direct training and support to end users across the organization.

· Regularly communicate project status, outcomes, and improvements to both technical and non-technical

stakeholders.

· Ensure training materials are developed and maintained, including user documentation and user support

resources, to support effective platform adoption.

Compliance & Security:

· Ensure that Workday configurations and updates comply with all relevant regulatory requirements, data privacy laws, and internal policies. · Partner with the IT and security teams to maintain data integrity, security, and confidentiality within Workday, particularly for sensitive employee and financial data. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Skills & Knowledge:

· In-depth knowledge of Workday Finance, Purchasing and other Workday modules, with experience in system configuration, deployment, and post-implementation support.

· Strong understanding of public sector finance and purchasing processes, regulations, and compliance

requirements.

· Ability to lead cross-functional teams and work with senior leaders to drive product success.

· Excellent project management, organizational, and time management skills with a focus on delivering high-quality results on time.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with the capacity to make data-driven decisions.

· Demonstrated experience leading Workday product strategy within a government agency, large municipality or similarly complex public-sector organization.

Technical Proficiency:

· Experience working with Workday Studio, Workday Integration, Workday Reporting, and other technical

components of the platform.

· Experience with other ERP systems is a plus.

Communication and Management Skills:

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships at all

organizational levels.

· Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

· Customer-centric mindset with a commitment to delivering excellent service and value to the organization.

· Adaptability and flexibility to respond to changing business needs and priorities.

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Finance, or a related field; advanced degrees or certifications (e.g., MBA, Workday Certification) are a plus.

· Minimum of 10+ years of experience in financial systems management with significant experience in system

configuration, integration, and optimization and with at least 5+ years in a leadership role managing large, cross-functional teams preferably in a large governmental environment

· Proven experience in managing large-scale Workday implementations, system optimizations, and driving thedevelopment of strategic product roadmaps.

· Knowledge of data privacy laws and regulations specific to public sector operations.

Additional Information

Salary Range: $140,000- $165,000

Please note the salary cannot exceed $165,000

Important: To apply, candidates must provide a cover letter and resume.

All applications should include the following: 
•    A one-page cover letter clarifying your interest and qualifications for the role. It really helps us understand why you’re interested in this position. We read every single one!
•    Your resume or curriculum vitae. 
•    Optionally, an online professional portfolio or public GitHub account.

We won’t accept or review incomplete applications.
 

Work Setting: in-person (onsite)

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:
•    We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
•    Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
•    Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
•    Generous retirement savings options are available
•    Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
•    Enjoy a Free Commute on SEPTA - Starting September 1, 2023, eligible City employees will no longer have to worry about paying for SEPTA public transportation. Whether you're a full-time, part-time, or provisional employee, you can seize the opportunity to sign up for the SEPTA Key Advantage Program and receive free Key cards for free rides on SEPTA buses, trains, trolleys, and regional rails.
•    Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!
Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.