Workday Systems Manager, Finance

Art and Wellness Enterprises (AWE) is a professional services organization supporting non-profits founded by Alice Walton, including the Alice L. Walton Foundation, Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, Art Bridges Foundation, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Momentary, and Heartland Whole Health Institute.

Job Description:

Job Title: Workday Systems Manager, Finance
Reports to: Director of Support Services
FLSA Classification: Exempt

Location: Bentonville, Arkansas (On-site)

Art and Wellness Enterprises (AWE) supports operating non-profits founded by Alice Walton, including the Alice L. Walton Foundation, Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, Art Bridges, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Momentary, and Heartland Whole Health Institute.

About The Position

The Workday Systems Manager, Finance is responsible for the day-to-day operation, ongoing maintenance, and continuous improvement of AWE’s Workday enterprise system from a financial operations perspective. This role provides advanced configuration, administration, and oversight of AWE’s Workday platform, including Financials, Adaptive Planning, Payroll, and related integrations, ensuring system stability and scalability.

This position supports the full Workday Finance lifecycle, including system development, testing, implementation, enhancement updates, and production releases. The Workday Systems Manager, Finance serves as a primary operational owner for finance-related Workday functionality, partnering closely with cross-functional business and technology stakeholders across the AWE ecosystem to ensure effective, integrated system operations.

Working in close partnership with the Workday Systems Manager, HCM, this role supports the coordinated operation of the broader Workday enterprise ecosystem. The Workday Systems Manager, Finance provides functional and technical support across business process configuration, reporting, testing, and quality assurance, and evaluates, designs, and deploys solutions within the Workday platform to meet current and future organizational needs, including the implementation of additional Workday modules.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Workday Development and Operations

• Lead and participate in all stages of project development related to Workday development: planning, analysis, design, configuration, testing, and implementation.
• Perform assignments with effectively applied knowledge, appropriate attention to detail, and constructive problem solving.
• Investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve system issues supporting diverse business needs across all functions.
• Assist in ensuring stable and consistent functionality of the Workday tenant.
• Proactively and continuously pursue professional development and training to maintain deep expertise in Workday functionality and related technologies.
• Apply expanded knowledge to serve as a reliable resource for cross-functional Workday and business process support.
• Manage the Workday support ticket process, including intake, organization, assignment, prioritization, and resolution.
• Provide ongoing system support to Finance and Accounting users to ensure effective and consistent use of Workday functionality.

Testing and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure necessary testing is successfully completed for all changes and that any issues which arise are properly captured and resolved.
• Proactively monitor Workday feature releases and weekly patch documentation for functional impact.
• Collaborate with Workday stakeholders in functional areas to recommend features for uptake and deploy new features to continuously improve the Workday platform.
• Support activities around semi-annual feature releases and the implementation of additional Workday modules and functionality.
• Help drive a continuous process improvement mindset across campus and champion the use of Workday to encourage industry best practices.
• Apply ongoing professional learning to continuously improve system design, delivery, and operational outcomes.
• Manage cyclical release updates, including regression testing, validation, and related stakeholder communications.

Governance and Security

• Participate in the definition and development of audit policies for proactive review of transactional activity and sensitive data access.
• Participate in the ongoing design of the security model related to functional areas, integrations, and vendor access as the organization matures.
• Ensure data integrity, security, and compliance with organizational best practices and regulatory standards.

Reporting and Partnerships

• Support consultation around the creation, maintenance, and scheduling of Workday reports.
• Develop Workday reports in partnership with functional areas.
• Consult with internal and external technical partners on developing and improving integrations.
• Work with constituents across functional areas, particularly Finance, to streamline existing processes and help ensure they align with Workday program goals and objectives.
• Build partnerships with departmental staff while gaining exposure and depth to business processing to offer guidance and solutions applicable to the Workday functionality effectively.
• Serve as a knowledgeable, go-to resource for Workday expertise across functional and technical teams.
• Track and report on system performance and usage trends to support operational decision-making.
• Develop and maintain finance-focused Workday documentation, including user guides, process maps, and reference materials.
• Partner with stakeholders to review and improve business processes, ensuring alignment with Workday program goals and enterprise objectives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in information systems, HR technology, finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on Workday configuration and administration experience, with a strong emphasis on Financial Management and/or Adaptive Planning.
• Demonstrated expertise in Workday Financials and at least one additional functional area (Adaptive Planning, Payroll, etc.)
• Experience supporting financial cycles, audits, and reporting requirements.
• Proven ability to manage Workday release cycles, testing, documentation, and production support.
• Workday Pro certification(s) strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of Workday security, reporting, integrations, and business process frameworks.
• Strong aptitude for learning new tools and technologies and applying them in a broader enterprise context.
• Demonstrated focus on user experience and delivery of effective service outcomes.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to listen effectively, calibrate appropriately, work through influence, and identify critical paths quickly.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects and information with accuracy.
• Ability to recommend solutions to difficult or complex issues.
• Strong strategic decision-making skills and demonstrated expertise in change management.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite and virtual meeting platforms.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation), with the ability to collaborate across business functions and organization levels.
• Experience working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• High level of professional integrity and the ability to handle sensitive issues and situations with discretion.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment where change is constant.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Physical Demands: In the work environment described, position requires utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time and good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching, and physical stamina to lift and transport a minimum of 10 pounds. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.

Work Environment: Work is performed full-time (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) in a professional, climate-controlled office environment with standard office equipment, including computers, printers, and telephones. This role requires working in an open setting near colleagues. The noise level is typically low to moderate. The role also requires regular interaction with internal team members in a professional and courteous manner. Some travel will be required, including overnight trips on occasion. A flexible schedule may be necessary to accommodate business needs, including occasional evening and weekend work hours.

Art and Wellness Enterprises, LLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. 

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and a background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.