Job Description

About the Role
Title:
Sr Manager People Systems
Location:
Burlington, Leawood United States
Job Description:
We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture
Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning technology company, is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data-driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. From testing to certification, Ascend Learning products are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers.
Headquartered in Burlington, MA, with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America's 2025 Greatest Workplaces as well as America's Best Places to work for Mental Well-Being for 2025.
We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
As Senior Manager of People Systems, you will serve as the solution architect and design authority for our SAP SuccessFactors ecosystem and connected HR platforms. This role owns system architecture, integration design, data models, and platform governance across Core HR, Talent, Learning, Payroll, and third party applications. You will lead a small team of People System professionals while remaining hands on in design decisions and complex solution work. This role partners closely with IT, Finance, Payroll, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, and Learning.
WHERE YOU'LL WORK
This position will work a hybrid schedule from our Burlington, MA or Leawood, KS office location preferred. Remote will be considered within the United States and requires working Eastern or Central time zone hours to support business needs.
HOW YOU'LL SPEND YOUR TIME
Serve as the People Systems architect and design authority for SAP SuccessFactors, ensuring cohesive, scalable, and secure solution design across modules
Own and evolve the People Systems architecture roadmap, balancing business priorities, platform evolution, scalability, and technical debt
Design and govern system integrations and data flows across SAP, LMS, payroll, benefits, finance, and ATS platforms
Define and enforce architectural, configuration, and data standards including extensibility, security roles, and compliance controls
Establish and operate change, release, and regression testing governance, aligned with payroll, benefits, and financial close cycles
Lead HR technology architecture efforts for M&A initiatives, including due diligence, current-state assessments, data mapping, and cutover design
Lead, coach, and develop a small team of People System Analysts, providing technical guidance, design review, and prioritization
Act as an escalation point for complex design decisions and cross functional dependencies
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Bachelor's degree required (Information Systems, Computer Science, HR, or related field preferred)
7+ years of experience in HRIS or People Technology roles
3+ years in a lead, senior, or architectural ownership role, including direct people leadership
Hands-on experience supporting enterprise or multi-entity SAP SuccessFactors implementations
Deep expertise in SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central and at least two additional modules (e.g., Performance & Goals, Compensation, Time, Onboarding, Recruiting)
Strong experience designing and governing enterprise integrations (APIs, middleware, file-based, and event-driven)
Solid understanding of data architecture, master data governance, and system-of-record strategy
Experience designing role-based security, permissions, audit controls, and compliance guardrails
Demonstrated ability to operate architecture governance, change control, and design review forums
Proven ability to lead and develop small technical teams while remaining hands-on in solution design
Strong communication and influence skills across HR, IT, Finance, and executive stakeholders
Ability to travel up to 10%. Occasional travel for team meetings, planning sessions, design workshops, vendor engagements, or M&A activities
BENEFITS
Flexible and generous paid time off
Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance
401(k) employer matching program
Parental leave
Wellness resources
Charitable matching program
On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington)
Community outreach groups
Tuition reimbursement
Fostering A Sense of Belonging
Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and be authentic. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.
Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S.-based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
Nearest Major Market: Boston