HRIS Job Description

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What is an HRIS Specialist?

An HRIS specialist is an expert in human resources management systems. They collect data and analyze it to improve HR strategies and processes, and suggest ways to increase the functional productivity and workflow of the HR department. An HRIS Specialist leads the HRIS team to automate, integrate, and configure core HR processes. Reporting to the Head of HR Operations and HRIS, they play a key leadership role in defining how HRIS can be optimized to provide an amazing employee experience that supports a company/organization to become a high impact HR organization.

The job roles and responsibilities of an HRIS Specialist

The common roles and responsibilities of an HRIS Specialist include:
  • Leading the continuous evaluation and evolution of HR Systems that include payroll systems, etc.
  • Managing and scaling a team of HRIS members to help define and drive the overall HRIS roadmap.
  • Coordinating with Information Technology and the user community to identify areas of improvement, recommend changes, and implement functional solutions for existing systems. 
  • Managing requests for process improvements, system enhancements, and the development and/or purchase of new software applications. 
  • Mentoring and coaching the team to develop expertise and drive process and configuration excellence.
  • Synthesizing and documenting requirements for process improvement, enhancements, new software, and strategic initiatives. 
  • Acting as HR Lead for in-progress HRIS system implementation, including continued testing and configuration, security administration, report writing, system optimization post go-live, and coordination and management of cross-functional dependencies between HR, Benefits, IT, Budget and Payroll.
  • Ensuring that applications integrate into existing and planned infrastructure. 
  • Supporting all HRIS systems (needs analysis, research, design, testing, quality control, deployment, training, and administration) and human resources end users in the use of HRIS applications and desktop tools (recruitment, personnel performance evaluation, and document management systems and software).
  • Effectively working with the team to prioritize work and establish a strong partnership with IT to ensure clear governance in how value is delivered to the end users with the goal of providing an amazing employee experience.
  • Working with COEs to translate business needs into projects, including prioritization, scheduling, and resource planning.
  • Thinking about quality of business processes as well as data quality and integrity by ensuring a regular audit cadence in coordination with the People Analytics team.
  • Actively identifying and resolving issues or opportunities for enhanced user experience and other HRIS integrations.
  • Developing, documenting, and maintaining all current and new HRIS business process workflows for efficiency and compliance.
  • Partnering with cross-functional team members and IT team members on HRIS-related issues/enhancements/queries.
  • Collaborating with the HR Operations team to provide support for HR technology matters.
  • Managing staffing and maintaining a best-in-class HRIS team.
  • Translating functional requirements into work breakdown structures and technical specifications via information gathering, workshops, sessions and interviews.
  • Maintaining and administering ad hoc report writing tools for end users; training and assisting users of those ad hoc report writing tools.
  • Communicating with project teams, clients, and vendors. 
  • Listening to customer needs and explaining complex technical issues and solutions in a plain and common descriptive manner.

How to write an HRIS Specialist job description:

  • Company Description:
    • Describe the genesis of the company.
    • Describe the company’s mission and vision.
    • Describe the company’s growth/achievements.
  • Job Description:
    • The HRIS specialist is an expert in human resources management systems.
    • The HRIS Specialist collects data and analyzes it to improve HR strategies and processes, and suggests ways to increase the functional productivity and workflow of the HR department.
    • The HRIS Specialist leads the HRIS team to automate, integrate, and configure core HR processes. Reporting to the Head of HR Operations and HRIS, they play a key leadership role in defining how HRIS can be optimized to provide an amazing employee experience that supports a company/organization to become a high impact HR organization.
    • Leads the continuous evaluation and evolution of HR Systems that include payroll systems, etc.
    • Actively identifies and resolves issues or opportunities for enhanced user experience and other HRIS integrations.
    • Develops, documents, and maintains all current and new HRIS business process workflows for efficiency and compliance.
    • Partners with cross-functional team members and IT team members on HRIS-related issues/enhancements/queries.
    • Manages staffing and maintaining a best-in-class HRIS team.
    • Translates functional requirements into work breakdown structures and technical specifications via information gathering, workshops, sessions and interviews.
    • Maintains and administers ad hoc report writing tools for end users; training and assisting users of those ad hoc report writing tools.
    • Communicates with project teams, clients, and vendors.
    • Listens to customer needs and explains complex technical issues and solutions in a plain and common descriptive manner.
  • Qualifications:[
    • Type of] degree in HR or MIS (Information systems) or related discipline required.
    • [Years] experience working with HRIS systems and [Years] managing an HRIS team. 
    • [Years] experience with Workday HCM, Advanced Compensation, Benefits Security and Reporting modules.
    • Experience working with multiple payroll providers; working knowledge of ServiceNow scoped application for HR preferred (if applicable).
    • Experience managing HRIS changes/implementations to support M&A.
    • Out-of-the-box thinker and a hands-on Workday and ServiceNow expert (if applicable) continuously seeking ways to improve and optimize use of HRIS platforms; experience with multiple Workday implementations preferred (if applicable).
    • Detail and process-oriented leader, able to partner with non-technical customers and partners to understand user needs and translate needs into technical requirements.
    • Able to effectively partner with IT and non-technical customers to understand user needs and translate needs into technical process and configuration requirements.
    • Strong leadership, management and team building skills to effectively lead cross functional project teams.
    • Thorough understanding of and experience with the system development life cycle.
    • Knowledge of both theoretical and practical aspects of project management. 
    • Skilled in demonstrating innovation and creativity by continually improving internal processes.
    • Strong problem solving/analytical skills with attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
    • Able to work in a dynamic organization by balancing multiple priorities.
    • Able to work both independently and with cross-functional teams using good judgment.
    • Proficient in Excel and managing data.
    • Good verbal and written communication skills.
    • Effective presentation skills for communicating the strategic story behind HR data. 
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