Senior HR Tech and Workday HRIS Program Manager

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s largest work marketplace, connecting businesses with highly skilled professionals worldwide. From entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 enterprises, companies trust Upwork’s platform to access expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive meaningful business outcomes.

Upwork’s AI-powered platform has facilitated over $20 billion in economic opportunity for professionals worldwide. With professionals spanning 10,000+ skills, including AI and machine learning, software development, sales and marketing, customer support, finance and accounting, and more, Upwork empowers businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and build agile teams.

We're looking for a Senior HR Tech and Workday HRIS Program Manager to join our team and help scale, enhance, and future-proof Upwork’s people systems and data strategies. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, people-first environment, brings technical and analytical excellence, and can translate business needs into scalable, tech-enabled solutions. Join us in revolutionizing how our People team leverages data and systems to support a thriving global workforce.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex cross-functional projects involving Workday and other HR technologies, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and timely, high-quality execution.
• Develop and maintain scalable, future-focused configurations in Workday across modules such as Core HCM, Compensation, Talent, and Absence Management.
• Translate evolving business needs into system requirements and enhancements, partnering with stakeholders across People, Finance, IT, and beyond.
• Create and maintain advanced reporting and dashboards to support strategic decision-making, workforce planning, and compliance needs.
• Continuously improve HR processes through automation and optimization, identifying gaps and surfacing innovative solutions.
• Ensure data integrity across systems through regular audits, root cause analysis, and collaboration with relevant teams to remediate issues.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on HR technology trends and drive adoption of best practices across teams.

What it takes to catch our eye

• Deep expertise in Workday configuration and reporting, with at least one major functional area owned end-to-end (e.g., Compensation, Talent, or HCM).
• Proven success leading multi-stakeholder HR tech projects from concept to deployment, especially those with cross-functional impact.
• Strong analytical skills and experience transforming data into actionable insights using dashboards, audits, and complex reports.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity, thinking strategically, and delivering high-quality solutions independently or in partnership with others.
• Growth mindset and collaborative spirit—willing to teach and learn, lead by example, and help others thrive in a system-rich environment.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 21 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to learn more about life at Upwork.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer is made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances.