HRIS Manager (Workday)

frontiereconomics; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Frontier Economics seeks an experienced HRIS Manager (Workday) to own and optimize Workday across the People Team in our London office. You will shape the Workday roadmap, improve configurations and lead delivery, collaborating with IT, Finance and external consultants.

This 18–24 month fixed-term contract offers an opportunity to embed best practices, strengthen data governance, and develop internal capability within a global economics consultancy.

Qualifications

• Strong practical Workday HCM experience and ability to switch between detailed configuration and wider business needs.
• Ability to leverage generative AI to improve processes and information access while applying sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of Workday and develop a prioritized roadmap aligned with People strategy.
• Configure and improve Workday processes, standardize operations and reduce manual workarounds.
• Lead Workday improvement projects from requirements to implementation, managing plans and risks.

Skills

Workday experience

AI in processes

Workday configuration

HR processes & lifecycle

PM/Change management

Stakeholder management

Data governance & reporting

Systems integrations

Clear communication

Tools

Workday

Job description

Frontier Economics is an economics consultancy that tackles the big questions facing governments, businesses and society. We help our clients to analyse and understand their markets and to formulate strategies based on sound economics. The methods and models we use are often complex, but our advice is always succinct, clear and honest.

The company has grown rapidly since it was founded almost 27 years ago and currently has around 500 staff working across nine European offices (Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Cologne, Dublin, London, Madrid, Paris and Prague). The company is employee-owned and has a strong culture of openness and employee engagement.

The People Team works closely with leaders and colleagues across the business, covering areas including Recruitment and Onboarding, HR Business Partnership, Learning and Development, Reward and People Operations.

London | 18-24 month fixed-term contract | Potential permanent opportunity

The Role

We are looking for an experienced HRIS Manager (Workday) to take functional ownership of Workday across the People Team and help us get much more value from the platform.

This is an opportunity to combine hands‑on Workday expertise with process improvement, project delivery and systems thinking. You will shape our Workday roadmap, improve how the system works for our teams, simplify People processes, strengthen data and reporting, and make better use of functionality we already have.

You will work closely with colleagues across People, IT and Finance, as well as external specialists, acting as Frontier's main functional point of contact for Workday. The role will also help build capability within the wider People Team and create a more sustainable approach to managing our People systems.

This position is offered as an 18‑24 month fixed‑term contract, with the potential to become permanent depending on the future People systems operating model.

Key Responsibilities

Workday Ownership and Roadmap

Take functional ownership of Workday and develop a clear, prioritised roadmap aligned with our People strategy. Assess how we use Workday today and identify opportunities to improve configuration, processes and functionality. Evaluate new Workday functionality and build clear business cases for future changes and investment.

Configuration and Process Improvement

Configure and improve Workday business processes, workflows, fields, notifications and related functionality. Simplify and standardise People processes, reducing manual workarounds, duplication and unnecessary use of spreadsheets or other systems. Identify recurring issues and address root causes rather than relying on temporary fixes.

Project and Change Management

Lead Workday improvement projects from requirements and design through to configuration, testing and implementation. Manage plans, milestones, stakeholders, testing and change control, keeping progress, risks and decisions clear.

People Data, Reporting and Integrations

Improve the quality, governance and reporting of People data, helping colleagues access reliable information with less manual intervention. Work with IT, Finance, payroll providers and other partners to improve integrations and data flows across our People systems.

Supplier Management and User Experience

Manage relationships with Workday and external consultants, ensuring support is focused, well managed and delivers value. Improve the experience of employees, managers and People Team users through better guidance, training and processes. Build internal capability so the wider People Team can operate Workday effectively and confidently.

Governance, Security and Compliance

Maintain appropriate governance over People systems, including security roles, permissions, documentation and audit trails. Support compliance with data protection and information security requirements.

What we are looking for

• You'll have strong practical Workday HCM experience and be comfortable moving between detailed system configuration and wider business needs.
• You will also be supported to use generative AI where it can improve processes, communication and access to information, while applying your own judgement and reviewing outputs carefully.
• Experience configuring and improving Workday business processes and functionality.
• Good knowledge of core HR processes and the employee lifecycle, with experience across areas such as Recruitment, Onboarding, Talent, Performance or Compensation.
• Strong project and change management experience, with the ability to translate business requirements into practical solutions.
• Experience working with Workday consultants or other external suppliers.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with Workday reporting, People data and data governance, plus an understanding of systems integrations and data flows.
• The ability to explain technical issues clearly and challenge existing processes constructively. A practical approach to proc