HR Operations Director, HCM Applications & Projects - Hybrid

Cigna Group•Philadelphia, PA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a key leader within HR Operations, this role drives the strategy, optimization, and delivery of our Workday and Benefits platforms. Direct complex initiatives—including annual compensation planning, health and welfare enrollment, system enhancements, M&A integrations, and divestitures—ensuring a seamless, scalable, and employee-centered experience. This role partners closely with HR, HRIT, Payroll, HRO application management services, vendors, and cross-functional leaders to deliver technology solutions that strengthen data integrity, enhance employee experience, and support organizational goals. This role will also provide expertise and counsel regarding new HR technologies to improve the overall employee experience and ensure a unified and efficient technological ecosystem.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in HR operations, Workday administration, or benefits delivery.
Experience managing and developing a high performing team.
Expertise in Workday HCM, Compensation, and Benefits functionality.
Demonstrated success managing complex system implementations, integrations, and cross-functional initiatives.
Strong communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders in a highly matrixed environment.
Proven vendor management and project leadership experience.
Hands-on experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, and benefits transitions.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Experience working with outsourced operations or major HR technology partners (e.g., Alight, Strada, Deloitte, Accenture).

Responsibilities

Lead the strategy and roadmap for Workday HCM, Compensation, and Benefits projects, ensuring systems are optimized for performance, usability, and scalability.
Direct delivery for core initiatives such as annual compensation cycles, health and welfare enrollment, M&A implementations, divestitures, vendor integrations, and new feature deployments.
Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to streamline processes, enhance system functionality, and strengthen data quality.
Oversee benefits operations including compliance (ACA), actuarial reporting, integrations, and special projects.
Provide guidance to HR teams, PMOs, and external partners on project risks, issue resolution, and decision-making.
Partner with ServiceNow platform leadership to advance connected HR technologies that improve the employee experience.
Lead HR Operations vendor management activities including SOW oversight, change orders, delivery quality, and budget stewardship.
Oversee Workday security administration, audits, mass data loads, and organizational structure updates.
Collaborate on the strategy, implementation, and management of Cigna’s HR technology systems to drive innovation and ensure alignment of HR processes with strategic organizational objectives.
Develop and mentor a team of HR Operations project managers and Workday data quality specialists, fostering growth, empowerment, and cross-functional experience.