Associate Principal, HR Product Owner

Associate Principal, HR Product Owner

The Senior Manager, HR System Design, leads the technical HR Systems professionals responsible for the hands-on administration, configuration, maintenance, and continuous improvement of HR technology platforms, including SAP SuccessFactors and custom system applications.

This role serves as a key technical resource within the HR Transformation organization, partnering with HR, IT, and business stakeholders to configure solutions, support system enhancements, execute testing activities, manage releases, and maintain system functionality. The Senior Manager ensures HR & Crew Movement applications operate effectively, remain aligned with business requirements, and deliver a high-quality user experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Sr. Director, HR Transformation, this role is a leader-doer leading the team that supports all products within the HR and CAM (Crew Acquisition & Movement) ecosystem and executes activities associated with the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), as well as providing hands-on delivery for designated technologies.

Product Administration & Configuration

Lead HR System Design team to ensure quality, timely, and in budget delivery for each team member's portfolio of HR & CAM technologies, while also managing delivery for designated technologies.

Perform hands-on configuration and maintenance of HR & CAM platforms, including SAP SuccessFactors, custom applications, and related HR systems.

Configure business rules, workflows, security roles, permissions, fields, page layouts, templates, and system settings based on approved business requirements.

Implement new system functionality, enhancements, integrations, and releases.

Troubleshoot system issues and identify root causes in partnership with technical and business teams. Function as point of escalation for HR System Design team.

Execute platform updates and configuration changes in accordance with established governance processes.

Maintain system documentation, configuration workbooks, and technical specifications.

Support data integrity, system usability, and process standardization across HR applications.

Serve as a subject matter expert for assigned HR technology platforms.

Strong Configuration Capability in the core applications.

Backlog & Requirements Execution

Support HR Product Owners with intake activities and document enhancement requests, defects, and operational support needs.

Translate approved business requirements into detailed system configuration and technical specifications.

Collaborate with stakeholders to clarify requirements and assess solution feasibility.

Maintain technical backlog items and provide effort estimates for configuration activities.

Ensure requirements are accurately reflected within system designs and configurations.

SDLC Support & Testing

Execute SDLC activities including requirements validation, configuration, testing, deployment, and production support.

Develop and execute unit testing, system testing, and regression testing scenarios and support user acceptance testing.

Document test results, identify defects, and coordinate resolution activities.

Support release management activities and production deployments.

Validate delivered solutions meet business requirements and quality standards.

Ensure compliance with established SDLC processes, standards, and controls.

Partner with engineering and architecture teams to ensure solutions are technically sound and future-ready

Stakeholder Collaboration & User Support

Partner with HR Centers of Excellence, HR Operations, IT teams, and business stakeholders to support system enhancements and ongoing operations.

Provide technical guidance regarding system capabilities, configuration options, and best practices.

Assist in evaluating new platform features and identifying opportunities for process improvement.

Develop job aids, configuration documentation, knowledge articles, and training materials.

Support organizational readiness activities associated with new system functionality.

Operational Support & Continuous Improvement

Monitor production environments and proactively identify opportunities for optimization.

Analyze recurring issues and implement sustainable configuration-based solutions.

Support audit requests, compliance activities, and data quality initiatives.

Assist with integration validation and downstream system impacts related to configuration changes.

Participate in periodic platform reviews, release assessments, and enhancement planning activities.

Maintain awareness of emerging HR & CAM technology capabilities and SuccessFactors releases relevant to assigned areas.

Identify and escalate risks, dependencies, and delivery constraints

Provide guidance and development opportunities for team members across technical skills, professional development, and career growth.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS

• 8+ years of experience supporting HR technology, HRIS platforms, CAM tools, or enterprise applications.
• 3 5+ years of people leadership or team oversight
• 3-5+ years of hands-on configuration and administration experience of SAP SuccessFactors or Custom Applications.
• Proven track record delivering complex, enterprise-scale technology solutions
• Experience configuring and supporting one or more SuccessFactors modules (Employee Central, Recruiting, Onboarding, Performance & Goals, Compensation, Learning, Succession, etc.) and/or Crew Movement tools.
• Experience supporting integrated ecosystems involving SAP SuccessFactors, Salesforce, ServiceNow, or related enterprise applications.
• Strong understanding of HR processes and HR technology solutions.
• Experience supporting system enhancements, releases, testing, and defect resolution.
• Familiarity with Agile and traditional SDLC methodologies.
• Ability to translate business requirements into system configurations and technical solutions.
• Experience developing test scripts, executing testing, and supporting production deployments.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Knowledge of security roles, permissions, workflows, and data management concepts.
• Experience creating technical documentation, job aids, and system support materials.
• SAP SuccessFactors certifications preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and execution discipline.
• Advanced stakeholder management and executive communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Customer-focused with a commitment to service excellence.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively across functional and technical teams.