Principal HR Systems Analyst

Primary Role

Reporting to the Director of Digital HR & Analytics, the SuccessFactors Analyst is responsible for the system and content administration of the SuccessFactors HCM Platform to meet American Water’s business needs. This role involves managing and supporting the SuccessFactors environment daily. As a subject matter expert, the SuccessFactors Analyst collaborates with Digital HR team members, HR Operations, and key business partners to optimize the system, provide recommendations for improvements, manage and analyze data, facilitate workflow, improve efficiency, troubleshoot, and enhance the platform to meet operational needs.

Key Accountabilities

• Administer and support the SuccessFactors HCM Platform, including various modules: Employee Central, Role-Based Provisioning, Goals and Performance, Calibration, Career Development Planning, Succession, Recruiting, Onboarding, LMS, and Reporting.

• Understand, configure, and optimize SuccessFactors Employee Central, including metadata framework, object definitions, business rules, workflows, portlet/tile details, and replication.

• Ensure compliance with best practices in systemic processes, data governance, and security protocols.

• Oversee day-to-day system operations, special projects, and bi-annual releases.

• Conduct thorough testing of system changes in Preview/Test and Production environments.

• Manage and support integrations with third-party vendor solutions.

• Serve as the primary contact between users, the SuccessFactors system, and other internal systems.

• Implement SuccessFactors modules through scoping, planning, process design, configuration, testing, deployment, and post-go-live support.

• Collaborate with HR Operations and key business partners to recommend and implement business process and system improvements.

• Provide oversight and management of the HRIS case management technical queue, ensuring timely and effective ticket activity.

• Support organizational communication and change management efforts related to system changes, including documentation, reporting assistance, and end-user orientation.

• Supervise and oversee AMS-performed work.

• Lead discussions on future and expanded technology use and systemic business process improvements.

• Coach and mentor less experienced system analysts and team members.

• Perform root cause analysis for system problems, including solutions and recommendations.

• Ensure HRIS data quality and integrity by implementing necessary point-of-entry validations and workflow checkpoints.

Knowledge/Skills

• Experience with SuccessFactors Solution/Service Implementation practices and processes.

• Proficient in systems implementation skills including requirements/process analysis, conceptual and detailed design, configuration, testing, training, change management, and post-deployment support.

• Strong understanding of SAP Organization Management & Personnel Administration (OM & PA) including the Hire-to-Retire business process overall.

• Experienced with Role-based permissions, MDF, and Business Configuration UI,

• Deep understanding of integrations and interoperability between all SuccessFactors modules.

• Working understanding of HRIS reporting and payroll.

• Ability to facilitate and lead complex discussions in mixed technical and business team environments.

• Excellent interviewing skills to gather business/functional requirements from users and technical staff, applying system and business acumen to verify business needs.

• Strong critical thinking and planning skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to clearly present complex information to business stakeholders.

• Outstanding customer service skills with the ability to analyze needs and act on stakeholder feedback.

• Self-directed with the ability to work independently and find/develop solutions for business requirements.

• Thrive in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision, working with both in-person and virtual teams.

• Experience with PMO & Agile methodologies.

• Know and follow departmental and company policies and procedures, and communicate effectively to foster a positive work environment.

• Collaborate with colleagues, offer suggestions, accept feedback, resolve problems, and maintain productivity with organizational strategies in mind.

• Expand your subject matter expertise and adapt to the evolving technical ecosystem.

• Ensure deadline adherence by working efficiently, sharing information, delegating tasks, and following up effectively.

• Support and mentor less experienced professionals within area(s) of expertise.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Sciences or Human Resources field, or equivalent experience required.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience implementing, using and supporting HR systems, including at least 3 years’ experience in SuccessFactors Platform administration/system management in a corporate environment.

• Experience administrating/managing multiple SuccessFactors modules required.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel as needed (<10% of time)

Certifications & Licenses

• Holds current SFX Certification(s) in SuccessFactors Foundations and module Administration

Work Environment

• Modern-day professional office environment
• Hybrid work schedule considerations

Competencies