Workday Data Conversion Lead

Job Title: Workday Data Conversion LeadLocation: Chicago, ILOnsite Requirements: 100% Remote Compensation Range: $160,000-180,000 plus Bonus: ~10% of baseJOB DETAILS: Workday Data Conversion LeadReports to Workday Practice LeaderMay carry direct reports depending on experience levelTeam size varies by project: 1-2 people on smaller engagements, up to 6 on larger onesLeads both internal data conversion teams and client-side teamsServes as subject matter expert and lead on end-to-end data migration activities across Workday implementations (HCM, Payroll, Finance)Develops and maintains comprehensive data conversion and tenant-build project plans, workbooks, and mapping requirementsDefines data extraction, transformation, and load sequencing strategies in collaboration with client SMEs, functional consultants, and technical architectsLeads iterative conversion testing cycles (Foundation, Configuration, End to End, Parallel, Gold/Production loads); manages defect logsSupports cutover planning: data freeze windows, load dependencies, go-live readiness criteriaProduces conversion governance documentation including sign-off packages, issues logs, and lessons learned artifactsBuilds and executes Workday loads via EIB, Advanced Load, and other methodsDevelops reconciliation scripts and validation reports to confirm accuracy against source systemsMentors junior conversion analysts across concurrent workstreamsPartners with practice leadership to build tools, templates, and repeatable processesTravels for key project milestones: kickoffs, design/data-gathering sessions, testing milestones (est. 8-10 trips over a 24-month engagement; ~25% travel is the top-end expectation)Three-Tier Role Scope:Tier 1 (Minimum / Required): Hands-on Workday tenant builds; standard data conversion executionTier 2 (Preferred): Team management + customer-facing extraction and transformation workTier 3 (Unicorn): All of the above + strategic contribution to internal tooling and practice growthMUST-HAVE REQUIREMENTS:Active Workday Data Conversion and/or Data Loading Certification (non-expired; Workday Pro a potential alternative) 3+ years of Workday-specific data conversion experience across HCM, Payroll, and/or Finance (formal Lead title not required; next-step candidates considered)Proficiency in EIB, XSLT, Workday Customer Central, and Workday-delivered data migration and load toolsAdvanced Excel (data manipulation, reconciliation, validation)SQL proficiency for data extraction and transformation from relational source systemsAbility to manage multiple concurrent conversion workstreams under tight implementation timelinesU.S. work authorization without sponsorshipPREFERENCES:Financial data conversion experience strongly preferred: GL balances, open AP/AR, suppliers and customers, fixed assets, banking data, chart of accountsLocated in Chicago, IL; Denver, CO or Detroit, MI also attractivePrior consulting experience with a certified Workday implementation partner or SIAdditional Workday functional certifications (Financial Management, HCM, Payroll)Experience migrating data from legacy ERP/HRIS platforms (Oracle EBS, SAP, PeopleSoft, ADP)Experience managing or mentoring data conversion team membersAmbition to contribute to practice growth, internal tooling, and methodology developmentCommitted to staying in data/conversion work -- not transitioning to functional roles#LI-BM1 #TECH