Executive Director, HR and Workday Platform Technology

Fortrea

Executive Director owning Fortrea’s global Workday HR platform strategy, governance, and operations. Leading enterprise applications, compliance, AI governance, delivery, and platform teams.

Posted 8/21/2026full-timeDurham • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive leadership in Workday platform ownership, including HCM, Recruiting, and Compensation, while ensuring compliance with governance and audit standards. Proven ability to manage cross-functional initiatives and drive strategic alignment between HR technology and business objectives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Workday HCM ExpertiseEnterprise Application SupportCross-Functional Initiative LeadershipGovernance and Compliance ManagementAI and Machine Learning Understanding

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Workday Platform OwnershipHR Technology StrategyProduct Roadmap ManagementRelease GovernanceService Delivery OperationsIncident ManagementDefect ResolutionData Protection StandardsIntegration ManagementRole-Based Security

Soft Skills

Executive CommunicationStakeholder ManagementTeam LeadershipCoachingOrganizational Design

Tools & Technologies

WorkdayAI Governance ToolsAgile MethodologiesITIL FrameworkPMP Practices

Certifications & Qualifications

Workday Pro CertificationITIL CertificationPMP CertificationAgile CertificationProduct Management Certification

Industry Keywords

Enterprise ApplicationsHR TechnologyGovernanceComplianceAudit Standards

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber SecurityPMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the overall Workday strategy, roadmap, and operational support model
Own technology direction for Core HCM, Recruiting, Compensation, Talent/Performance, Absence/Time Tracking, Security, Reporting, Integrations, and Extend
Own Workday licensing, contracting, training, tenant, Extend, integrations, and reporting platforms
Align HR technology strategy, investment priorities, platform governance, and delivery execution with enterprise and HR objectives
Serve as enterprise Workday platform owner for roadmap, release adoption, configuration standards, technical debt, and platform health
Partner with leaders to prioritize initiatives, balance capacity, and align investments to business value
Ensure reliable production support and end-to-end platform ownership
Oversee incident management, defect resolution, service requests, enhancements, release planning, and support processes
Own HR technology demand intake, prioritization, and value-based sequencing
Establish service delivery standards, operating rhythms, and performance expectations for internal teams and external partners
Drive process stabilization, simplification, and standardization
Lead and coordinate non-HR Workday technologies using the shared platform foundation
Oversee HR reporting strategy and execution
Partner with Finance and other stakeholders on Workday architecture, integrations, reporting, and security
Ensure SOX controls, audit requirements, security standards, and governance expectations are met
Partner with Internal Audit, Cybersecurity, Legal, Privacy, and Compliance teams
Define and enforce ownership, role-based security, configuration, release, integration, data protection, and audit-readiness standards
Maintain oversight of role design, access approvals, user access reviews, privileged security, and integration credentials
Lead cross-functional Workday initiatives including implementations, enhancements, acquisitions/divestitures, operating model changes, and global standardization
Lead technology programs with a product mindset and agile ways of working
Prioritize the technology portfolio based on outcomes and IT value
Provide leadership for complex programs across business, IT, vendors, and governance forums
Evaluate downstream impacts across integrations, security, reporting, business processes, controls, and support teams
Act as senior decision-maker and escalation point for platform risks, priorities, and trade-offs
Lead, develop, and coach a high-performing functional, technical, and platform team
Build organizational structure and role clarity across support, platform ownership, delivery management, and governance
Manage a hybrid workforce of employees, contractors, and AMS/implementation partners
Establish accountability, performance expectations, succession plans, and development opportunities
Foster ownership, customer partnership, disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and compliance awareness

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of progressive leadership experience in enterprise applications, HR technology, or Workday-related technology leadership roles
Significant hands-on and leadership experience with Workday HCM and associated platform capabilities
Experience serving as a technology platform owner or senior product/platform leader for HR technology, preferably Workday, in a complex global enterprise environment
Enterprise application support and product ownership experience
Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives involving multiple business and technical stakeholders
Experience operating in a regulated environment with strong governance, controls, and audit expectations
Experience managing vendors, implementation partners, and/or AMS providers
Proven people leadership experience, including leading managers and cross-functional teams
Relevant and equivalent experience and successful project outcomes may be considered in lieu of educational requirements
Strong knowledge of Workday architecture, platform capabilities, and enterprise application operating models
Strong understanding of HR technology strategy, Workday platform ownership, product roadmap management, release governance, platform lifecycle management, and service delivery operations
Strong understanding of AI, machine learning, and generative AI concepts
Ability to evaluate and prioritize AI use cases based on business value, risk, compliance, and operational readiness
Understanding of AI governance, privacy, bias mitigation, transparency, and regulatory considerations
Ability to connect business priorities with system strategy, risk management, and delivery execution
Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills
Strong judgment in prioritization, issue resolution, and governance decisions
Demonstrated ability to lead through complexity, ambiguity, and organizational change
Strong team leadership, coaching, and organizational design capabilities
High level of discipline in process, documentation, compliance, and service management
Ability to balance strategic planning with pragmatic operational execution
Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, Human Resources, Finance, or related field, and 12+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education, certifications, and progressive leadership experience
Master's Degree (MBA or related field) preferred
Workday Pro certifications preferred
ITIL, PMP, Agile, Product Management, AI Governance, or related professional certifications preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Occasional travel both domestic and international
Varied hours may be required
Development opportunities for team members
Hybrid work arrangement