People Systems Product Lead

Core-Asset Consulting Ltd; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Core-Asset Consulting is seeking a senior People Systems Product Lead for a leading financial services client. You will own the vision, strategy and roadmap for People systems, ensuring Workday capability is aligned with business priorities and colleague needs.

You will collaborate with People, Payroll, Finance, IT and Compliance, lead discovery to translate complex requirements into practical system changes, and stay close to Workday updates while implementing governance and risk controls.

Qualifications

• Strategic, analytical and commercially aware approach.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and user-friendly systems.

Responsibilities

• Own the vision, strategy and roadmap for People systems and Workday alignment.
• Lead discovery sessions to translate business needs into system requirements.
• Manage backlog and prioritise by value, risk and capacity.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to plan releases and deployments.
• Ensure governance, testing and documentation for changes.
• Drive adoption of AI-enabled features while managing risk.
• Lead and develop a small team of People Systems analysts.
• Promote data governance and high-quality system data.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical mindset

Problem solving

User-friendly design

Continuous improvement

Attention to detail

AI & emerging tech

Change management

Team leadership

Job description

Job Description

Core-Asset Consulting is working with a leading financial services firm to appoint a People Systems Product Lead.Reporting to the Head of People Change, you will own the product vision, strategy and roadmap for People systems, ensuring Workday capability is clearly aligned with business priorities and colleague needs.

You will work closely with stakeholders across People, Payroll, Finance, IT and Compliance, acting as the key link between business requirements and systems support.You will lead discovery activity, translate complex business needs into practical system requirements and identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve data quality and reduce manual effort.

A key part of the role will be staying close to Workday releases, modules, enhancements and emerging AI-enabled capabilities, assessing where these can add genuine value while ensuring appropriate governance, testing and risk management are in place.

Skills/Experience

• A strategic, analytical and commercially aware approach.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• A focus on designing simple, practical and user-friendly systems and processes.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and finding better ways of working.
• Strong attention to detail, with a focus on compliance, accuracy and quality.
• Curiosity about emerging technology and AI, balanced with sound judgement around risk, governance and business value.
• The ability to guide colleagues and managers through system change, helping them understand what is changing, why it matters and how to use new tools effectively.
• Experience of leading and developing a small team.

Core Responsibilities

• Own the vision, strategy and roadmap for People systems, ensuring Workday capability supports business priorities.
• Lead discovery sessions to understand business needs, regulatory requirements and opportunities to improve ways of working.
• Manage the People systems and Workday product backlog, prioritising requirements according to business value, risk and capacity.
• Work with cross-functional systems support teams to plan releases and deployment timelines.
• Ensure system changes, including AI-enabled functionality, are supported by appropriate governance, testing, documentation and approval processes.
• Partner with People, Payroll, Finance, IT and Compliance teams to support joined-up business processes.
• Champion Workday best practice and encourage the adoption of simple, standardised processes.
• Identify opportunities to use technology and AI to reduce manual effort, improve decision-making and support better colleague outcomes.
• Review existing processes and drive practical opportunities to simplify, improve and add value.
• Assess new Workday features, releases and industry developments, driving adoption where there is clear business value.
• Support the escalation and resolution of complex system issues across People-related Workday functionality and wider People systems.
• Oversee user testing, regression testing and patch validation.
• Create and maintain clear system documentation, process guidance and user guides.
• Lead the embedding of new Workday and AI-enabled tools through communication, training, adoption planning and feedback.
• Ensure Workday Payroll configuration and processes continue to meet regulatory, tax and audit requirements.
• Promote strong data governance, quality checks and confidence in People systems data.
• Support the responsible adoption of AI by considering data protection, bias, accuracy, auditability and human oversight.
• Lead and support a small team of People Systems analysts, providing clear direction, coaching and development opportunities.

Core-Asset Consulting is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital/civil partner status or pregnancy.

To apply for this vacancy applicants must be eligible to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

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Core-Asset Consulting offers specialist recruitment services to asset management, accounting & finance, asset servicing, legal and the wider financial services sector in Scotland.