Workday Project Manager

Job Summary CIT invites applications for the position of Workday Project Manager, a key role in Oberlin’s ERP Optimization Initiative. The Workday Project Manager will manage the replacement of our 30-year-old legacy system, Banner, with a cloud-based ERP, Workday, in the areas of Human Resources and Finance. This is a full‑time, 1‑year renewable position reporting to the Director of IT Project Management. The Workday Project Manager will lead the planning, execution, and successful delivery of Workday implementation and serve as the central coordinator across functional, technical teams and external implementation partners. This role operates at the intersection of technology, business transformation, and institutional change, ensuring alignment across Human Resources, Finance, and IT while supporting a smooth transition to modern, cloud‑based operations. The Workday Project Manager will ensure the project is delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with institutional goals, while navigating the complexities of higher education including shared governance, data stewardship, academic and administrative processes. Responsibilities Project Management Define project scope, goals, and deliverables aligned with institutional priorities. Develop and maintain a detailed project plan, managing timelines, budgets, and resource allocation. Create and manage project documentation, including, but not limited to, project charter, deliverables, tasks, resource assignments, duration estimates, schedules, milestones, meeting notes, action items, etc. Drive accountability across all workstreams, ensuring clear ownership and measurable progress. Serve as the primary point of contact between Oberlin, the implementation partner (Workday), and vendors. Coordinate all project related meetings, communications and deliverables. Ensure alignment between functional and technical teams throughout all phases of implementation. Communication Planning Collaborate with the Core Project Team to develop a comprehensive communications strategy. Partner with communications resources to execute timely, transparent updates to stakeholders. Ensure consistent, clear messaging to the campus community throughout the transformation. Change Management Work with the Change Manager to develop and implement the change management plan to support end‑user adoption. Support adoption by aligning people, processes, and technology with Workday best practices. Stakeholder Engagement Facilitate cross‑departmental workshops between HR, Finance, and IT to ensure business processes are optimized and aligned with Workday best practices. Direct and monitor activities of cross‑functional project personnel, identifying resource needs, performing the quality review, and escalating functional, quality, and timeline issues appropriately to ensure the project progresses on schedule and within budget. Build strong relationships with campus leaders to foster trust and collaboration. Identify potential roadblocks—whether technical, budgetary, or cultural—and develop proactive strategies to keep the project on track. Effectively manage stakeholder and project team expectations by recognizing, communicating, mitigating issues, and recommending appropriate corrective actions professionally using the proper escalation path. Maintain a proactive risk register and ensure leadership visibility into project health. Data & Integration Oversight Oversee data conversion and validation processes. Ensure successful integrations with existing systems, including student and administrative platforms. Support data governance practices to ensure accuracy, security, and long‑term sustainability. Plan and manage the necessary resources and logistics for the testing strategy and test scenario creation workshops. Ensure organizational readiness for go‑live through structured testing and validation processes. Required Qualifications Three (3) years of experience working in a higher‑education environment, specifically as a project manager. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for a variety of audiences. Bachelor’s degree in information technology, business or a related field. Desired Qualifications PMP certification or equivalent project management training preferred. Experience implementing Workday Student. Experience leading large‑scale, enterprise‑wide transformation initiatives. Familiarity with change management frameworks and stakeholder engagement strategies. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Commitment to Equal Opportunity and Inclusive Excellence Oberlin College is committed to creating and sustaining a vibrant, welcoming community where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, and where every member has an equal opportunity to learn, work, and contribute based on their talents, skills, and merit. We value a campus environment that draws on a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and ideas to enrich education, scholarship, and daily interactions. The College adheres strictly to all applicable federal and state civil rights laws, including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the Equal Protection Clause, and related regulations. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic in employment, admissions, or educational programs. Hiring and advancement decisions are made based on qualifications, experience, and job‑related criteria. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence, free inquiry, respectful dialogue, and equal opportunity under the law to apply. The Office for Institutional Equity plays a key role in supporting a fair, compliant, and inclusive workplace and learning environment for the entire Oberlin community. #J-18808-Ljbffr Oberlin College Development