Chicago Cubs

Sr. Business Applications Specialist - HR (Contractor)

Chicago, Illinois Full time

GO BEYOND THE IVY

Our business is a team sport built on creating and delivering memorable experiences around Cubs baseball and other live events.

Chicago Cubs | Marquee 360 | Marquee Development | Marquee Ventures

Each brand stands as unique as the teams that drive them. We welcome you to learn more about us.

JOB TITLE: Senior Business Applications Specialist (Contractor)
DEPARTMENT: Human Resources
REPORTS TO: Director, HR
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

COMPENSATION: $35.00 - $65.00 per hour USD

BEING PART OF THE TEAM
Our business is a team sport that began on a field with baseballs and bats and has evolved into one of the most recognizable brands in sports an entertainment through Cubs baseball and live events. Our success is driven by our people, work to create and inspire change in an engaging, collaborative and inclusive environment. As a team, we continue to build a culture on and off the field that delivers unforgettable experiences for one another, our fans and community. In support of that effort, we expect associates to work primarily in our office. Are you ready to be part of it?

OUR STORY
THE CHICAGO CUBS FRANCHISE is a charter member of Major League Baseball’s National League. Since 1876, the team has won the National League pennant 17 times and was the first team to win back-to-back World Series titles in the 1907 and 1908 seasons. In 2016, the Chicago Cubs made history again when the team won its first World Series in 108 years, ending the longest championship drought in North American sports. Known for its ivy-covered outfield walls, hand-operated scoreboard and famous Marquee sign, iconic Wrigley Field has been the home of the Chicago Cubs since 1914, making it the second oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball.

HOW YOU'LL CONTRIBUTE
We are seeking a Senior Business Applications Specialist to oversee, support, and enhance the enterprise applications ecosystem within the HR department. This role will primarily oversee the Workday HRIS system, in addition to other HR technology platforms that power HR operational excellence.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver who thrives in a dynamic, fast-moving environment and enjoys collaborating with internal teams to optimize systems and streamline business processes. A core focus for this person will be on strategic work efforts that begin with an understanding of the current state, determining a future state roadmap that aligns to key business processes driven and identified by current HR
leadership, and focusing on the implementation of these changes within Workday and impacted systems.
Additionally, the person best suited for this role is able to thrive as an HRIS team of one with the ability to teach HR colleagues how to become advanced users of tools and technologies. This hybrid position is based in the city of Chicago and requires three days onsite each week.
 

THE DAY-TO-DAY:
Application Configuration & Enhancement
• Configure and maintain enterprise applications to meet evolving business requirements.
• Partner with functional leads and vendors to deliver tailored configurations and integrations.
• Oversee system settings, workflows, and permissions to maintain data integrity and usability.
• Support enhancements within Workday modules —particularly time tracking, absence, payroll, and HCM—ensuring efficiency and accuracy to align with business needs.
Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization
• Evaluate existing processes to identify automation opportunities and technology-based improvements.
• Stay current on platform capabilities, participating in version updates, release testing, and projects.
• Contribute to change management and communication efforts, ensuring smooth adoption of new functionality.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external partners during system upgrades and enhancement cycles.
• Create efficiency in supporting the HRIS and other HR Technologies through the creation of SOPs, user guides and hands-on training with members of the HR team. The goal is to have a tech-capable HR team to manage most basic tasks, configurations and break/fix needs. A key to success for this person will be to minimize time spent on day-to-day support issues through automation and education.

Application Support & Troubleshooting
• Provide tier-2 application support for internal users, escalating issues to vendors or specialized teams as necessary.
• Analyze and resolve user issues related to access, configuration, data flow. Partner with IT to support setup and maintenance of integrations.
• Document recurring problems and propose long-term solutions that improve platform reliability and efficiency.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to ensure optimal system performance and usability across departments.

Data and Reporting
• Develop and maintain reporting for Business leaders, HR colleagues and other internal partners.
• Understand business needs to create and adapt reports or dashboards containing relevant KPI information.
• Look for gaps in data integrity and provide solutions to ensure accuracy.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:
• 7+ years of experience managing and supporting enterprise applications in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• 4+ years of hands-on experience managing Workday.
• Strong understanding of HR workflows, processes, and data governance.
• Proven ability to balance operational support with strategic improvements.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills with a collaborative, customer-focused mindset.
• Must be able to work onsite three days per week at the Chicago office.


* This job posting includes the anticipated compensation, which reflects the hourly rate or salary range the Chicago Cubs and its affiliates are considering for this role in the specified location(s) as of the posting date. Where anticipated compensation is a salary range, the actual base salary offered within that range will be reflective of the candidate’s skills and experience.


The Chicago Cubs and its affiliates embrace diversity and are committed to building a team that represents all communities. We hold ourselves accountable to include new and different voices in our organization. Everyone is welcome here, and we celebrate what makes each of us unique.

Response Expectations:

Due to the overwhelming number of applications we receive, we unfortunately may not be able to respond in person to each applicant. However, we can assure you that you will receive an email confirmation when you apply as well as additional email notifications whether you are selected to move forward for the position or not. Please note, we keep all resumes on file and will contact you should we wish to schedule an interview with you.

The Chicago Cubs and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and employing a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.