People Systems Manager, Workday

About the Role:

We're looking for a People Systems Manager, Workday to join our People team and build the foundation for how People technology operates at Vercel.

We've recently implemented Workday as our system of record, and we're just getting started. As we expand its capabilities and build toward public company-ready operations, we need someone to own the architecture, security, business processes, and governance behind it.

We're building a headless People technology experience, with Workday as the engine behind it, not a traditional HR technology stack. Employees and managers will initiate transactions, access their data, and navigate People processes directly from the tools they already use. You'll make that possible, working closely with integration engineers to connect Workday's security model and Business Process Framework to the experiences we're building.

This is a hands-on IC role with real ownership over how Workday operates at Vercel. You'll set standards, make architectural decisions, and build systems that scale, reducing manual work, strengthening controls, and creating data our growing People analytics function can trust.

If you’re based within a pre-determined commuting distance of one of our offices (SF, NY, London, or Berlin), the role includes in-office anchor days on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. If you're located beyond that distance, the role is fully remote. For location-specific details, please connect with our recruiting team.

What You Will Do:

• Own the configuration, security architecture, and Business Process Framework that power Workday at Vercel, and make the architectural calls that balance flexibility, scalability, and control as we grow.
• Partner with integration engineers to design business processes and security configurations for transactions initiated through Slack, internal apps, and other tools, making Workday accessible beyond its native interface without compromising governance or data integrity.
• Establish role-based security, segregation of duties, change management, and audit controls from the ground up, and automate what's needed for SOX, SOC 2, and public company readiness without adding friction.
• Configure and optimize business processes for core People operations, equity, commissions, one-time payments, and clawbacks, partnering with Finance, Total Rewards, Payroll, and Legal to bring new capabilities into Workday accurately and auditably.
• Set standards for data governance, reporting architecture, calculated fields, and data quality, so Workday stays a reliable source of truth as our analytics and self-service reporting mature.
• Own release management, regression testing, and configuration change control. Find the root causes of recurring friction and fix them through better configuration, automation, and process design, and partner with auditors on evidence, walkthroughs, and remediation.

About You:

• 5+ years of hands-on Workday HCM experience across security, business processes, reporting, and core configuration.
• Strong grasp of Workday's security architecture and Business Process Framework, including role-based access, security groups, business process policies, approvals, and segregation of duties.
• Experience building or evolving a Workday environment, including configuration standards, governance frameworks, and scalable business processes in a growing organization.
• Experience designing and implementing Workday security, governance, and internal controls that support SOX compliance and audit readiness.
• Workday reporting and data management experience, including calculated fields, advanced and composite reports, data validation, and reporting governance.
• Experience in interconnected HR technology environments, understanding how Workday security, business processes, and data architecture affect downstream systems and automated workflows.

Bonus If You:

• Have experience with Workday Payroll or complex compensation processes, including equity and commission payments.
• Have helped a high-growth technology company scale its People Systems infrastructure or prepare for an IPO.
• Have used AI or automation to improve system administration, data quality, controls, or operational efficiency.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package, including equity.
• Inclusive Healthcare Package.
• Learn and Grow - we provide mentorship and send you to events that help you build your network and skills.
• Flexible Time Off.
• We will provide you the gear you need to do your role, and a WFH budget for you to outfit your space as needed.

The San Francisco, CA base pay range for this role is $167,000 - $204,000. Actual salary will be based on job-related skills, experience, and location. Compensation outside of San Francisco may be adjusted based on employee location. The total compensation package may include benefits, equity-based compensation, and eligibility for a company bonus or variable pay program depending on the role. Your recruiter can share more details during the hiring process.