Applications Systems Specialist - Workday HCM Core, Talent and Performance

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

About The Position

The Applications Systems Specialist acts independently as a functional and technical subject matter expert for Workday Human Capital Management (HCM), with primary concentration in HCM Core, Talent, and Performance applications. The role leads projects, system enhancements, optimization initiatives, and complex production support activities to improve HR technology solutions and workforce processes within a complex healthcare environment. The specialist partners with Human Resources, operational leaders, Information Services teams, and vendors to translate business requirements into effective Workday solutions. The position provides expertise in application configuration, business processes, testing, troubleshooting, system security coordination, and ongoing optimization, while ensuring solutions support organizational standards, data integrity, user experience, and operational needs. The specialist acts independently to lead multiple projects and assignments that facilitate and improve clinical or business information-system technical solutions and tools. Responsibilities include leading projects and workstreams, coordinating workflow optimization, configuring application features and security settings, resolving complex technical issues, advising and mentoring colleagues, and supporting team operations. The position may require off-hours work and participation in an on-call rotation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
Epic, Workday, or application certification(s); ability to obtain additional certifications required for a specific role or team.
Lean Green Belt certification or ability to obtain it as required by the department.
Seven years of experience with enterprise platforms such as EHRs, ITSM, or ERPs.
Strong problem-solving, time-management, and decision-making skills; ability to maintain a positive, solution-focused attitude in challenging situations.
Ability to act independently with minimal oversight.
Ability to advise less-experienced team members.
Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all organizational levels.
Ability to work off hours as needed and participate in an on-call rotation.

Nice To Haves

Project Management certification (PMP or CAPM).
Healthcare experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as a key team member for challenging projects and critical incidents, providing expert guidance during high-impact situations.
Share knowledge proactively and engage with vendors and unfamiliar systems to investigate and solve complex issues.
Advance product knowledge through certifications, awareness of system configurations and emerging technology and industry trends, and departmental professional development.
Lead projects, take responsibility for outcomes, manage tasks, and assist with project-hour estimates.
Recommend and implement workflow modifications in collaboration with vendors, using user-experience design principles and lean belt methodology.
Direct configuration of application features and security settings and create support materials, including test scripts and workflow diagrams.
Advise team members, department colleagues, and organizational staff; support and help integrate new staff.
Cover managerial responsibilities during the leader’s absence, including urgent issues and team operations.
Identify barriers and escalate issues with proposed solutions; lead meetings, set agendas, complete follow-ups, and communicate in a closed loop.
Serve as a workstream lead on cross-functional projects and ensure work stays within scope and project-management guidelines.
Run optimization requests and projects, including scheduling meetings, identifying timelines, and allocating resources.
Drive projects from conception to completion with minimal oversight and build working relationships with operational staff as a subject matter expert.
Lead initiatives or other stretch assignments, including market analysis and kaizen efforts, as requested or available.
Work with vendors to establish short-term product roadmaps and review them with the department manager and key stakeholders.
Investigate and resolve application and system configuration issues, developing and implementing fixes based on thorough analysis.
Coordinate with third-party vendors on software installation and configuration; troubleshoot server configurations, system services, and interface jobs.
Adapt to changing responsibilities and project requirements; work off hours as needed and participate in an on-call rotation.