HR Master Data Lead (Workday)

Digital Waffle; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading HR technology firm is seeking a Remote HR Master Data Lead to act as the subject matter expert for HR data structures and Workday HCM. You will be responsible for creating data governance rules, leading initiatives across HR technology, and providing insights through workforce analytics. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience with HR data, especially in Workday, and possesses strong analytical and stakeholder management skills. This role offers a competitive salary ranging from £70k to £100k, along with additional benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience working with HRIS or HR data, with deep Workday knowledge.
• Demonstrated background in data governance, master data design, and compliance.
• Strategic thinker who can balance BAU stability with future-state design.

Responsibilities

• Create and enforce global data governance rules and quality standards.
• Lead data-related initiatives across HR technology programmes.
• Deliver meaningful dashboards and workforce analytics to support planning.

Skills

HR Master Data Experience

Workday experience

Strong problem-solver

Confident stakeholder manager

Advanced Workday reporting capability

Education

Degree in HR, Information Systems, Business, Data, or a related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

Job Title : HR Master Data Lead (Workday)

Location : Remote (UK)

Salary : £70k-£100k + Benefits

Must Have

• HR Master Data Experience
• Come from a HR background
• Workday experience (will consider others)

The Role

As the HR Master Data Lead, you will act as the subject matter expert for HR data structures and Workday HCM. You’ll build and maintain standards for how people data is created, stored, accessed, and integrated, ensuring it remains a trusted source for HR, Finance, and senior leadership teams.

Your work will support everything from compliance and reporting to operational efficiency and the wider employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

Data Governance & Quality

• Create and enforce global data governance rules, ownership models, and quality standards.
• Monitor and improve accuracy, completeness, and consistency of HR master data.
• Lead routine data audits, validation checks, and clean‑up activities.
• Ensure alignment between Workday and downstream systems such as Payroll, Finance, and IT.

Workday Expertise

• Serve as the expert for Workday Core HCM, organisational structures, job architecture, security roles, and position management.
• Support functional teams across HR, Talent, Reward, and Payroll with data‑driven process improvements.
• Manage testing cycles, release updates, and change activity relating to HR data.
• Oversee data migrations for acquisitions, reorganisations, or system upgrades.

Compliance & Risk

• Ensure global compliance with data protection and regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, SOX, HIPAA).
• Maintain strong access controls, audit trails, and secure data handling practices.
• Investigate and resolve data discrepancies, implementing long‑term fixes.

Stakeholder & Project Leadership

• Lead data‑related initiatives across HR technology programmes, restructures, M&A projects, and system enhancements.
• Collaborate closely with IT, Finance, and HR leaders to align data management with organisational needs.
• Produce documentation, training, and best‑practice guidance for HR teams worldwide.
• Work directly with vendors and partners to resolve issues and optimise configurations.

Reporting & Insights

• Deliver meaningful dashboards and workforce analytics to support planning and decision‑making.
• Partner with reporting teams to maintain accuracy and consistency of metrics.
• Track data quality KPIs and recommend improvements.

About You

• Highly analytical with exceptional attention to detail.
• Able to work collaboratively across HR, Finance, IT, and external partners.
• Comfortable leading change and championing best‑practice data standards.
• Strong problem‑solver with a focus on long‑term solutions.
• Experienced in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Strategic thinker who can balance BAU stability with future‑state design.

Skills & Experience

• Degree in HR, Information Systems, Business, Data, or a related field.
• 5+ years’ experience working with HRIS or HR data, with deep Workday knowledge.
• Demonstrated background in data governance, master data design, and compliance.
• Strong understanding of end‑to‑end HR processes.
• Advanced Workday reporting capability (e.g., Calculated Fields, BIRT, Prism desirable).
• Confident stakeholder manager with excellent communication skills.
• Project management experience or relevant certification (PMP / Prince2 / Agile) is an advantage.