Shipboard HR & Payroll Apps Product Mgr

Major Attributes

• Product mindset and strategic partnership with HR and shipboard operations to translate business needs into a clear vision, operating model, and multi-year roadmap for shipboard HR and payroll applications (Workday, MAPS).
• Deep functional understanding of Core HR, Payroll, Time & Attendance, Absence Management, and Learning/Training processes, including downstream integrations, reporting, and controls.
• Experience leading delivery and production support across HR platforms and custom applications, including Workday (HCM/Payroll/Absence/Learning as applicable), MAPS, and related shipboard/shore integrations.
• Strong governance, vendor management, and financial stewardship (budgeting, forecasting, CapEx/OpEx) with a focus on outcomes, risk management, and value realization.
• Commitment to best practices in security, privacy, compliance (e.g., SOX, ITGC, GDPR as applicable), and enterprise architecture standards.
• Clear communicator and people leader who builds high-performing teams and drives organizational change through effective stakeholder engagement and change management.
• Proven ability to drive digital modernization through automation (workflow, integrations, self-service, RPA where applicable) and the practical application of analytics/AI to improve service delivery and decision-making.
• Strong HR process knowledge and continuous improvement mindset, with experience simplifying and standardizing end-to-end processes (hire-to-retire) and aligning technology to policy, controls, and user experience.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of product enhancements and projects across Core HR, Payroll, Absence Management, and Training/Learning (intake, prioritization, funding, design, configuration/build, testing, release, and adoption) spanning Workday, MAPS, and integrated systems.
• Ensure stable, secure, and compliant operations for shipboard HR platforms and integrations, including production support, incident/problem management, release management, and continuous improvement—supporting payroll accuracy, absence/time processing, and training enablement.
• Lead and develop a high-performing organization (employees, contractors, and managed services partners); set objectives, coach leaders, and build succession and capability plans.
• Drive cross-functional architecture and integration alignment with Security, Data/Analytics, Infrastructure, and other application teams to ensure scalable and supportable solutions.
• Provide financial stewardship for the HR Applications portfolio, including vendor strategy, contract/SOW oversight, SLAs, forecasting, and management of CapEx/OpEx budgets.
• Establish and enforce standards and controls (e.g., ITGC, SOX, privacy) and ensure audit readiness, access controls, segregation of duties, and sound SDLC/DevOps practices.
• Identify and deliver automation opportunities (workflow optimization, digital forms, integration improvements, and RPA where appropriate) to reduce manual effort, increase accuracy, and improve cycle times across HR services.
• Enable HR data and insights by partnering with HR Analytics/Data teams to improve data quality, develop metrics/OKRs, and guide responsible use of AI/GenAI capabilities (governance, privacy, bias/risk considerations, and measurable value).
• Develop executive-level communications (status, risks, decisions, and outcomes) and provide clear escalation paths and mitigation plans for complex issues.

Knowledge & Experience

• Educational background: Bachelor's degree in computers or related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience: 7+ years of progressive IT experience with significant leadership accountability across enterprise applications and/or HR technology.
• Experience with Workday (HCM and one or more of Payroll, Absence, Time Tracking, or Learning): 3+ years.
• Experience with MAPS: Strongly preferred.
• People leadership and talent development experience: 5+ years.
• Application delivery and production support experience: 5+ years.
• Experience with multi-system HR landscapes: 5+ years.
• Systems support, team leadership, and establishing and managing service measures: Strong experience.
• HR application platform expertise: Strong experience with Workday and MAPS.
• Functional domain knowledge: Deep understanding of Core HR, Payroll, Absence Management, Time & Attendance, and Training/Learning.
• HR business processes and controls: Experience simplifying and standardizing end-to-end processes (hire-to-retire).
• Automation and standardization: Experience driving automation and standardization (workflow, orchestration/integration patterns, and RPA where applicable).
• Data- and product-minded approach: Ability to define KPIs/OKRs, use insights to prioritize roadmaps, and evaluate AI/GenAI use cases with appropriate governance, privacy/security safeguards, and risk management.
• Controls and compliance: Strong knowledge of ITGC/SOX, privacy, and audit readiness.
• Leadership skills: Proven change leader accustomed to working in a dynamic environment.
• Vendor and partner leadership: Sets expectations, negotiates outcomes and SLAs, holds partners accountable, and resolves escalations.
• Data-driven operating rhythm: Uses KPIs/OKRs to inspect and adapt, improve service reliability, and communicate performance transparently.