Principal Product Owner, Workday

University of Maryland Global Campus • Adelphi, MD

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal Product Owner, Workday, assists the Associate Vice President, ERP & Faculty Systems in providing strategic leadership and delivery oversight for UMGC’s enterprise Workday platform, ensuring alignment between institutional strategy, business needs, and technology capabilities. This role translates organizational priorities—such as the Skills-Driven Organization, Faculty/Staff Experience Modernization, and Financial Transparency—into a clear roadmap for Workday enhancements, integrations, and data-driven outcomes. The Principal Product Owner serves as the bridge between HR, Finance, IT, and executive stakeholders, driving value realization and continuous improvement across Workday HCM, Finance, Prism, Extend, and related modules.

Requirements

• Workday configuration knowledge (HCM, Finance, Prism, Extend, or Journeys)
• Agile product management, backlog grooming, and sprint planning
• Requirements analysis and process mapping
• Strong communication, facilitation, and executive presentation skills
• Data visualization and KPI development using Workday reporting tools
• Vendor and stakeholder relationship management
• Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems, Business Administration, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of Workday experience, including 4+ years as a Product Owner, Product Manager, or Platform Strategist.
• Proven success leading enterprise-level Workday initiatives across HCM, Finance, or Extend.
• Experience in higher education or complex, matrixed organizations preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Master's Degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Leadership experience in enterprise digital transformation or ERP modernization programs.
• Proven success developing and executing product roadmaps aligned to organizational strategy.
• Workday Pro Certification(s) in one or more modules (HCM, Skills Cloud, Journeys, Extend, or Reporting/Prism) preferred.
• Agile Product Owner or Scrum certification (e.g., CSPO, SAFe PO/PM) a plus.
• Multiple Workday Pro Certifications or equivalent platform specialization.
• Agile or ITIL certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic vision, roadmap, and prioritization for Workday capabilities, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and governance frameworks.
• Serve as the primary liaison between business process owners, Workday configuration teams, and technical integration partners to ensure cohesive solution delivery.
• Manage the product backlog, defining epics, features, and user stories that support process optimization, automation, and data transparency.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Institutional leadership to define KPIs, success metrics, and business outcomes for Workday initiatives.
• Champion change management and user adoption, ensuring effective communication, training, and stakeholder engagement for each release.
• Engage with Workday Success Managers, user groups, and industry peers to identify best practices and future platform opportunities.

Benefits

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 days of paid vacation, 15 days of sick leave, 3 personal days, and 16 paid holidays (17 during general election years).
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access to health care, medical with vision, dental, and prescription plans for both individuals and families, effective from the 1st of the month following your hire date.
• Insurance Options: Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Available for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Retirement Plans: Choose between the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) or the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (MSRPS).
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: include 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and various Roth options.
• Tuition Remission: Immediate availability for Regular Exempt Staff. Spouses and dependent children are eligible for undergraduate tuition remission after two years of service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal