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Workday Data Conversion Lead

Chicago, Illinois, United States, Remote (US)

Definian helps organizations define what’s next by unlocking the full value of their data. With expertise spanning data strategy, modernization, advanced analytics, and AI & automation, Definian equips leaders to navigate their digital evolution with clarity and precision.

 

As a Workday Data Conversion Lead in Definian’s Workday practice, you will serve as a subject matter expert and lead on end-to-end data migration activities across Workday implementations. This role sits at the intersection of technical execution, client partnership, team leadership, requiring someone who can strategize and lead data conversion workstreams across the breadth of Workday product implementations, such as HCM, Payroll, and Finance.

You will work closely with Definian’s Workday delivery leaders and customer teams to drive conversion strategy, execute iterative testing loads, and lead data cutover activities. The ideal candidate has a 3+ years of Workday specific data conversion experience as a lead, holds active Workday Data Conversion and Data Loading certifications, and has a strong track record of delivering financial data migrations with HCM and payroll experience as a strong differentiator.

Definian is seeking an experienced, certified, Workday Data Conversion Lead to join our Workday team and support our next phase of growth.

What You Will Do

Conversion Strategy & Leadership

  • Serve as Data Conversion Lead on Workday implementations, managing the full conversion lifecycle from planning through cutover.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive data conversion and tenant build project plans, define workbooks, and complete mapping requirements that align legacy source data to Workday data structures.
  • Define data extraction, transformation, and load sequencing strategies in collaboration with client SMEs, functional consultants, and technical architects.
  • Lead iterative conversion testing cycles (Foundation, Configuration, End to End, Parallel, and Gold/Production loads), managing defect logs and driving issues to resolution between cycles.
  • Support cutover planning by defining data freeze windows, load dependencies, and go-live readiness criteria in coordination with the project manager and client stakeholders.
  • Manage conversion build timelines and collaborate closely with the project management team on tenant management and scheduling across deployment phases.
  • Produce and maintain conversion governance documentation including sign-off packages, issues logs, and lessons learned artifacts.
  • Communicate conversion status, risks, and escalations clearly to project leadership and client stakeholders throughout each project phase.
  • Mentor and guide junior conversion analysts and support team members across concurrent workstreams.
  • Partner with Workday Practice leadership to build and maintain tools, templates, and repeatable processes that ensure data conversion activities are consistent, high quality, and scalable across engagements.
  • Lead the identification of process improvements and propose changes to Definian’s conversion methodology based on project experience and evolving Workday capabilities.

Financial Data Conversion (Required)

  • Lead financial data conversion activities including General Ledger trial balances, open AP and AR transactions, supplier and customer master data, Fixed Assets, banking data, and chart of accounts mapping.
  • Build and execute EIB (Enterprise Interface Builder) templates and XSLT transformations load financial data accurately and on schedule.
  • Develop and execute reconciliation scripts and validation reports to confirm accuracy and completeness of converted financial data against source systems.
  • Partner with client finance teams to resolve data quality issues, mapping gaps, and transformation logic findings throughout the conversion lifecycle.

HCM & Payroll Data Conversion (Preferred)

  • Lead or support HCM data conversion activities including worker profiles, job and position data, compensation structures, benefits elections, and organizational hierarchies.
  • Lead or support Payroll data conversion activities including payroll balance loads (YTD/QTD), tax withholding elections, earnings and deductions history.
  • Coordinate with HCM and Payroll functional consultants to validate converted data against expected outputs and downstream system requirements.

What It Takes

  • Minimum 3 years of experience as a Data Conversion Lead on Workday implementation projects.
  • Must have active Workday Data Conversion and/or Data Loading Certifications (current, non-expired, Workday Pro Certifications a potential alternative).
  • Demonstrated experience loading financial data in Workday, including GL balances, open AP/AR, supplier and customer masters, Fixed Assets, and banking data.
  • Proficiency with Workday Customer Central, EIB, XSLT, and Workday-delivered data migration and load tools.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data manipulation, reconciliation, and validation.
  • Proficiency in SQL for data extraction and transformation from relational source systems.
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent conversion workstreams under tight implementation timelines.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical data concepts for finance, HR, and payroll stakeholders.

Preferred Attributes

  • Hands-on experience converting HCM data in Workday, including worker profiles, positions, compensation, benefits, and org structures.
  • Hands-on experience converting Payroll data in Workday, including payroll balance loads, tax elections, earnings/deductions history, and direct deposit setup.
  • Prior consulting experience with a certified Workday implementation partner or system integrator.
  • Additional Workday functional certifications in Financial Management, HCM, or Payroll.
  • Experience with Workday Studio for complex data transformation and integration scenarios.
  • Experience migrating data from legacy ERP and HRIS platforms such as Oracle EBS, SAP, PeopleSoft, ADP, Ceridian, or UltiPro.
  • Geographic flexibility to support client engagements with periodic travel.

What We Offer

  • Highly competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
  • 401(k) plan with company match.
  • Company-paid individual health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage.
  • Four weeks of paid time off plus ten company-paid holidays.
  • Employee referral bonuses.
  • Career mobility in a high-growth, AI-enabled company where you will have direct impact and visibility.
  • An award-winning culture that combines 40 years of stability with the momentum of a bold new chapter.
  • Salary range is $140,000-$200,000

Founded in 1985 as Premier International and rebranded in 2025, Definian combines four decades of trusted results with the energy of an AI-enabled future. We are proud to be recognized as one of Crain’s Best Places to Work in Chicago® and to be consistently named to the Inc. 5000 list for growth.

Definian is an EEO Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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