Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Technical and Strategic Initiative Specialist (TSIS) will play a pivotal role in enhancing the operational and strategic capabilities of the Office of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer and the Human Resources (HR) Office. This position will focus on maximizing the functionality and effectiveness of the college’s Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) system and support a range of strategic projects across HR and the Division of Campus Operations (DCO), led by the SVP-COO.

Reporting to both the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (SVP-COO) and Assistant Vice President-Chief Human Resource Officer (AVP-CHRO), the TSIS will provide expert guidance, and maintain the highest level of confidentiality and diplomacy regarding all matters. The TSIS will take a proactive and anticipatory approach, exercise excellent judgment in complex and challenging situations, communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats, maintain exceptional attention to detail, and embody an energetic, poised, and positive demeanor while successfully managing multiple priorities. The position requires the capacity to manage work well in a diverse, fast paced, and collaborative team environment.

About Harvey Mudd College: 

Located in the heart of Claremont, California, 35 miles east of Los Angeles, Harvey Mudd College is a highly selective undergraduate liberal arts college offering degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. HMC enrolls about 800 students and is a member of The Claremont Colleges, which comprises five undergraduate colleges and two graduate institutions. According to students, professors, and alumni, what makes Harvey Mudd distinctive is its collaborative, cross-disciplinary nature. The working environment is built on collaborative relationships between and among all members of the campus community and a deep commitment to the College’s mission to educate students “so that they may assume leadership in their fields with a clear understanding of the impact of their work on society.” 

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Self-Motivation: Proactively identify opportunities for improvement and drive projects forward with minimal supervision.
• Attention to Detail: Ensure accuracy and thoroughness in all tasks, especially data analysis and reporting.
• Problem-Solving: Analyze complex challenges and implement practical, data-driven solutions.
• Adaptability: Respond effectively to shifting priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Collaboration: Build strong partnerships across departments to achieve shared goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Workday HCM Optimization

• Evaluate the college’s current use of Workday HCM and recommend improvements to optimize its capabilities.
• Implement enhancements, including process automation, advanced reporting, and data integration with other systems.
• Partner with the AVP-CHRO to streamline workflows and improve user experience and system usability.
• Develop user training materials, deliver training sessions and document best practices for Workday HCM utilization.

Strategic Project Initiatives

• Partner with the SVP-COO and the AVP-CHRO to support strategic initiatives within DCO and HR, addressing both technical and non-technical priorities.
• Conduct data analysis and process reviews to identify opportunities for improvement and operational efficiency.
• Provide project management support, ensuring initiatives are executed on time and align with organizational goals.

Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Stay current with advancements in HRIS technology, higher education trends, and Workday updates to identify, propose, and implement innovative solutions.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by identifying and implementing process enhancements across DCO.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Technology, Data Analytics, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Three to five years of related experience, including Workday HCM or a similar HRIS system.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Possess or develop expertise in Workday HCM with a focus on maximizing its functionality and overall effectiveness.
• Ability to utilize advanced Excel functions and tools such as macros, VLOOKUP, pivot tables, conditional formatting, data validation, INDEX-MATCH, and complex formulas for data analysis, reporting, and problem-solving.
• Skilled at managing multiple projects and conflicting priorities in a fast-paced environment by taking initiative, following through, and effectively managing workflow.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on process improvement.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to collaborate across teams and build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong judgment, discretion and the ability to represent the department professionally, maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive matters with diplomacy.
• Highly motivated and resourceful self-starter with a proven ability to work independently and as a team player.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail, accuracy, protocol, and a commitment to high quality work.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Technically adept with using MS Office products, Google Documents/SharePoint.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in higher education or a similarly complex organizational environment.
• Microsoft Office Specialist (excel expert) Certification, or similar certification.
• Familiarity with project management tools or methodologies.
• Hands-on experience with AI tools such as Copilot and ChatGPT, including practical use cases.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the staff member is regularly required to sit; stand, use hands and fingers and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The individual must regularly lift and/or carry up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Remote Work Eligibility:

All staff positions, regardless of remote work eligibility, require an initial 30-calendar-day on-campus work period. Based on an evaluation by the supervisor and area Vice President, this position is classified as Category B as defined in the College’s Remote Work Policy, with occasional ad-hoc remote work flexibility (as needed). Your approved remote work arrangements under Category B allow for up to 1 remote work day per week during the academic year and up to 2 remote work days during the non-academic year. Please note these days may vary depending on departmental and College needs.

Your standard working hours will generally be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, though these hours may vary depending on departmental and College needs. All remote work arrangements, including ad-hoc remote work, must be approved by the direct supervisor, area Cabinet member, and Human Resources, and are subject to periodic review based on institutional needs. These arrangements are neither guaranteed nor considered entitlements and may change due to factors such as employee performance, evolving business needs, or changes to the position.

Hours:

Regular office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, days and hours may vary due to the needs of the department or the College.

Classification:

This is an exempt, full-time, benefits-eligible position.

Salary 

The anticipated starting salary is $70,000 - $80,000, annually. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Reports To:

This position reports to the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (SVP-COO) as well as the Assistant Vice President-Chief Human Resource Officer (AVP-CHRO).

Application Process:

Please visit to view a complete job description for this position and obtain information on how to submit an application. Information about HMC’s competitive benefits package is available at  

Deadline to apply: 

Position will remain open until filled. 

Additional Information:

This job description defines the essential job duties of the position. Harvey Mudd College expects that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of the job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Regular employment at the College is for no specified period; conditions and status of employment (hours, pay, title, duties, etc.) are subject to change at any time. Employment is at-will and employees, and likewise the College, are free to end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice or cause, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

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