Jessica Alexander

Manager, HR Technology | Driving Scalable, Compliant, Human-Centered HR Tech

Greater Indianapolis

About

I’m a People Technology leader with 10+ years of experience designing, implementing, and optimizing HR systems in complex, high-growth environments. I specialize in enterprise HR platforms including UKG and Workday, with deep experience leading large-scale implementations, M&A system integrations, and multi-state payroll operations. In my current role, I own the People Technology ecosystem supporting 5,500+ employees and managers, balancing system stability, compliance, and a strong employee experience. I’m known for thoughtful decision-making, strong business judgment, and a practical approach to solving complex problems.

Experience

  • Manager, People Technology at TEGNA
    Jul 2025 - Present · 1 yr 1 mo

    • Own the People Technology portfolio (UKG Pro, Greenhouse, and ServiceNow), driving the technology roadmap, optimizing system performance, and aligning capabilities with business priorities for approximately 5,500 employees and managers. • Lead and develop a team of four analysts responsible for system configuration, reporting, integrations and enhancements. • Oversee API integrations and People data architecture, improving data accuracy, reporting reliability, and downstream system alignment. • Manage vendor relationships, contracts, compliance, and performance, ensuring adherence to SLAs, security standards, and audit requirements. • Lead system enhancement and technology rollout projects from intake through implementation, increasing operational efficiency and reducing manual HR processes. • Manage the People Technology budget by forecasting spend, controlling costs, and prioritizing investments aligned with business objectives. • Partner with HR, IT, Finance, Legal and business leaders to deliver scalable technology solutions. • Establish governance, documentation, and support processes that reduced ad hoc requests while improving system stability and employee experience. • Supported the implementation of the Moveworks AI assistant, enabling employees to resolve HR questions in real time, reducing HR support case volume and improving employee satisfaction.

  • Marathon Health (13 yrs 11 mos)
    • Director, HRIS, Payroll, & Analytics
      Feb 2020 - Jul 2025 · 5 yrs 6 mos

      • Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of HR systems for 3,500 employees. • Manage and mentor a team of six HR professionals. • Led the Workday integration during the Marathon / Everside merger, moving 1800 employees to Workday. • Manage Workday configuration, including Core HCM, Benefits, Payroll, Time Tracking, Absence, Recruiting, Talent Management, and Reporting. • Manage HRIS integrations, ensuring seamless data flow with third-party platforms. • Oversee HRIS security configuration to ensure appropriate role-based access, data privacy, SOX compliance, and overall data protection. • Manage HR Help Desk ticketing system, supporting users and maintaining SLA targets for issue resolution. • Led migration of Workday tenants from private to public cloud ensuring zero disruption to payroll and critical HR operations for 26 vendor integrations and 3,500 employees. • Conducted a full HRIS system review to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of modules and process flows. • Spearheaded the UKG Workforce Ready implementation. • Developed UKG system rules to maintain HR data integrity and reduce the risk of human errors. • Developed and implemented user training programs including live demonstrations and user guides that enhanced user understanding, reduced support requests, and increased system engagement. • Oversee payroll operations for 7 corporate entities ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance. • Supervise payroll tax processes for multi-state operations, ensuring timely and accurate withholding, remittance, and filing across all jurisdictions. • Conduct regular audits of payroll controls, processes, and data to ensure accuracy and compliance. • Develop user-friendly HR reports and dashboards for data-driven decision-making. • Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure successful delivery of initiatives. • Led development of compensation strategy, including base pay, incentive programs, and retirement plan design.

    • Finance Manager
      Sep 2014 - Feb 2020 · 5 yrs 6 mos

      • Managed payroll and employee pay data across three corporate entities. • Processed accurate and timely payroll on a semi-monthly basis. • Maintained employee pay data changes including new hires, terminations, leaves of absence, benefit changes, garnishments, incentive payments, expense reimbursements, severances, taxes, and COBRA. • Responded to employee pay inquiries and general HR questions. • Maintained employee confidence and protected payroll operations through confidentiality and professionalism. • Led end-to-end implementations of ADP and Kronos, leading the RFP process, project planning, system design, configuration, testing, training, and go-live, ensuring on-time delivery and seamless transition for end users. • Prepared monthly client invoices. • Managed employee deferred compensation program, including annual compliance and audits. • Assisted with clinic implementation and asset procurement.

    • Financial Analyst & HR Services Coordinator
      Sep 2011 - Sep 2014 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      • Managed company payroll and benefits administration. • Conducted onboarding, offboarding, and personnel file management. • Performed background checks and employment verifications. • Managed employee deferred compensation program. • Prepared client invoices. • Investigated and resolved client and vendor inquiries. • Managed clinic inventory reconciliation and reporting.

  • Graduate Assistant at University of Kentucky
    Aug 2009 - May 2011 · 1 yr 10 mos

    Managed daily facility operations, responded to escalated customer complaints, interviewed, hired, trained and managed 60 employees, prepared and conducted monthly staff meetings, designed and implemented staff incentive program, created and managed staff schedule, first responder to medical emergencies, trained employees in areas of risk management

  • Butler University - Health and Recreation Complex ()
    • Business Operations Assistant
      May 2009 - Aug 2009 · 4 mos

      Oversaw daily deposit, requests for payment, journal vouchers and daily record keeping; balanced department's daily cash in/out flows; developed an Asset Management System; produced Instruction Manual for all daily operations

    • Undergraduate Assistant
      May 2007 - May 2009 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      Assisted professional staff, responded to emails/daily concerns, opened/closed facility, interviewed, hired, trained, and managed 67 student employees, maintained staff schedule, maintained first aid budget, created two detailed staff manuals, managed all facility rental requests, chair of facility events committee, assisted with membership and locker renewals