Transformation & Advisory Director (Operating Model)

Kainos; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kainos is seeking an experienced operating model advisor to help customers redesign how People, Finance and Planning services are organized and delivered, ensuring Workday enables a simpler, standardized model.

Lead global process harmonisation, advise C‑suite, build a high‑performing team and contribute to strategic client outcomes across regions.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in consultancy or industry operating model / shared services transformation.
• Proven experience designing and implementing target operating models for HR, Finance or Payroll functions.
• Track record of leading global process harmonisation or standardisation within an ERP Cloud programme.
• Credibility to challenge and influence C‑suite and senior functional leaders.
• Strong commercial and business development experience.
• Excellent structured problem‑solving, facilitation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise C‑suite and functional leaders (CHRO, CFO, COO, Shared Services leaders) on future‑state target operating models, securing executive alignment on difficult design choices.
• Lead process harmonisation and standardisation in a billable capacity across countries, business units and acquisitions – challenging local variation and defining global process standards and design principles aligned to Workday best practice.
• Translate strategy into design: service catalogues, roles and responsibilities, governance, shared services / centre‑of‑excellence models and the data and controls needed to operate Workday at scale.
• Originate and lead operating model and process advisory engagements, Phase 0 / Pathfinder assessments and proposals, growing the T&A pipeline.
• Build and lead the specialism – methods, reference models and accelerators, thought leadership and a high‑performing team – working closely with Workday solution architects and delivery leadership.

Skills

Problem solving

Facilitation

Communication

Leadership

Job description

Join Kainos and Shape the Future

At Kainos, we’re problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators - driven by a shared mission to create real impact. Whether we’re transforming digital services for millions, delivering cutting‑edge Workday solutions, or pushing the boundaries of technology, we do it together.

We believe in a people‑first culture, where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your contributions truly make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of a diverse, ambitious team that celebrates creativity and collaboration.

Join us and be part of something bigger.

The problem we collectively solve for customers

Organisations invest in Workday to transform how they run their People, Finance and Planning services – yet most fail to realise the value they set out to achieve. Programmes drift from the business case, legacy operating models and fragmented processes are simply re‑platformed, and people are not ready, willing or able to work differently at go‑live. The result is a modern platform sitting on top of yesterday’s organisation, with value eroding in the months after deployment.

Kainos Transformation & Advisory exists to close that gap. Working alongside C‑suite sponsors from vision and business case through to measured outcomes, our three specialisms act as one team: we define and protect the value case and programme governance, design the target operating model and harmonised processes Workday will enable, and ensure the organisation’s leaders and people are ready to adopt and sustain the change. Together we help customers deliver the transformation they intended – easier, smarter and faster – and have the evidence to prove it.

Main purpose of the role

Lead Kainos’ operating model advisory, helping customers redesign how People, Finance and Planning services are organised and delivered. Ensure Workday enables a simpler, standardised and scalable model rather than replicating legacy complexity.

Core Responsibilities

• Advise C‑suite and functional leaders (CHRO, CFO, COO, Shared Services leaders) on future‑state target operating models, service delivery and organisation design, securing executive alignment on difficult design choices.
• Lead process harmonisation and standardisation in a billable capacity across countries, business units and acquisitions – challenging local variation and defining global process standards and design principles aligned to Workday best practice.
• Translate strategy into design: service catalogues, roles and responsibilities, governance, shared services / centre‑of‑excellence models and the data and controls needed to operate Workday at scale.
• Originate and lead operating model and process advisory engagements, Phase 0 / Pathfinder assessments and proposals, growing the T&A pipeline.
• Build and lead the specialism – methods, reference models and accelerators, thought leadership and a high‑performing team – working closely with Workday solution architects and delivery leadership.

Essential Criteria

• 10+ years in consultancy or industry operating model / shared services transformation, with significant time at Director level or similar.
• Proven experience designing and implementing target operating models for HR, Finance or Payroll functions.
• Track record of leading global process harmonisation or standardisation within an ERP Cloud programme.
• Credibility to challenge and influence C‑suite and senior functional leaders.
• Strong commercial and business development experience.
• Excellent structured problem‑solving, facilitation and communication skills.

Desirable criteria

• Workday HCM, Financials or Planning knowledge (certification an advantage).
• Shared services / GBS design or M&A integration experience.
• Process methodology (Lean, Six Sigma, APQC) or organisation design qualification.
• Big 4 / tier‑1 consultancy background

Embracing our differences

At Kainos, we believe in the power of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that is as diverse as the world we live in, where everyone is valued, respected, and given an equal chance to thrive. We actively seek out talented people from all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other characteristic that makes them who they are. We also believe every candidate deserves a level playing field.

Our friendly talent acquisition team is here to support you every step of the way, so if you require any accommodations or adjustments, we encourage you to reach out.

We understand that everyone's journey is different, and by having a private conversation we can ensure that our recruitment process is tailored to your needs.