Workday Payroll Analyst – Contract – San Jose, CA (Onsite)We are seeking a Senior Business Systems Analyst with extensive Workday expertise to support and enhance our Payroll, Time Tracking, and Absence solutions. This role serves as the key liaison between Payroll, HR, Accounting, and IT, ensuring Workday is configured, optimized, and continuously improved to support accurate payroll processing and efficient business operations.The ideal candidate is hands-on, business-focused, and comfortable owning Workday Payroll end-to-end, from requirements and configuration through testing, releases, and production support.Responsibilities:Act as the primary owner for Workday Payroll, Time Tracking, and Absence modulesPartner closely with Payroll, HR, and Accounting teams to gather requirements and translate business needs into Workday configurationsLead requirement-gathering sessions, solution design, and functional reviews with stakeholdersConfigure and maintain Workday Payroll and Time Tracking functionality, including process documentationPlan and execute system testing, including regression, UAT, and post-release validationManage Workday releases and enhancements to ensure smooth adoption and minimal disruptionProvide production support, troubleshooting, and issue resolution for payroll-related processesSupport year-end payroll activities, audits, and compliance reportingDrive process improvements by evaluating current workflows and leveraging new Workday featuresEnsure systems and processes comply with SOX and internal control requirementsEngage end users to improve system adoption through training, documentation, and clear communicationSkills & Qualifications:7–8+ years of experience as a Workday Business Systems Analyst or Functional AnalystBachelor's degree in Information Systems, Accounting, Human Resources, or a related field (or equivalent experience)Strong hands-on experience with Workday Payroll, Time Tracking, and Absence configurationSolid understanding of payroll operations, compliance, and audit requirementsExperience leading requirements, testing, and release activities in WorkdayAbility to work directly with business stakeholders and lead discussions independentlyStrong analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skillsNice to haveWorkday Payroll and/or Absence certificationExperience supporting multi-state or California payrollPrior experience in SOX-regulated environmentsExposure to complex Workday integrations