Workday Engagement Manager

Kainos; Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kainos is seeking a Workday Engagement Manager to lead the successful implementation of Workday solutions for customers, working closely with business teams and internal delivery groups to shape scope, definition and delivery that are fit for purpose and commercially viable.

You’ll manage the full delivery lifecycle—from pre-sales through implementation to handover to AMS—across large or multiple projects, coordinating planning, resourcing and milestone tracking with client and partner

Qualifications

• Experience with Workday delivery methodologies.
• Experience managing geographically distributed blended teams.
• Excellent commercial management, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communicator with senior client audiences.
• Ability to write business cases, requirement documents and change requests.
• Ability to balance customer demands with Kainos commercials and meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Commercially manage global Workday programmes from pre-sales through implementation to hand over to AMS.
• Act as the key client interface between functional and technical teams.
• Provide domain experience (HCM, Finances, Payroll) to offer insight and leadership.
• Manage all aspects of project delivery including planning, resourcing, milestones and customer satisfaction.
• Lead blended teams of colleagues, client and partner resources to deliver integrated results.
• Agree objectives, milestones and contract terms with the client.
• Identify requirements and artefacts to ensure knowledge transfer and shared understanding.
• Create structured deliverables and present recommendations to client steering groups.
• Identify opportunities to win business and negotiate at senior client level.

Skills

Workday

Delivery mgmt

Client interface

Negotiation

Communication

Risk mgmt

Travel readiness

Tools

Prince2

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.

Ready to make your mark? Join us and be part of something bigger.

As a Workday Engagement Manager in Kainos, you'll fully manage the successful implementation of Workday solutions for customers by working closely with customer business teams and internal delivery teams to drive the scope, definition and delivery of solutions that are fit for purpose and commercially viable. You'll take accountability for the complete delivery lifecycle alongside the sales and capability Solution Architects.

You'll manage all aspects of your projects, which will typically be either one large, complex project or multiple smaller projects. This will include project planning, resourcing, milestone tracking, commercial management and customer satisfaction.

Your Key Responsibilities Include

• Commercially managing the implementation of global Workday programmes from pre-sales through implementation to hand over to AMS (Application Management Services).
• Acting as the key client interface between functional and technical teams and the client.
• Pragmatically offering domain experience (HCM, Fins, Payroll or where relevant to a Workday Capability) to provide functional insight and thought-leadership.
• Managing all aspects of project delivery including project planning, resourcing, milestone tracking, commercial management and customer satisfaction.
• Leading and supporting blended teams of colleagues, client and partner resources to share knowledge and develop an integrated delivery ethic.
• Agreeing objectives, outputs, milestones, timescale with client, together with associated contract and commercial terms.
• Identifying requirements, business processes, application configurations, testing plans and other artefacts to be documented to ensure shared understanding and facilitate knowledge transfer.
• Creating well structured & accurate deliverables and presenting to client steering level groups to secure proposed recommendations and agreement.
• Identifying and actioning appropriately opportunities to win business, including negotiating and closing at a senior client level.

Must Have

• Experience working with Workday delivery methodologies
• Commercial experience of managing and supporting geographically distributed and blended teams of colleagues, client and partner resources to share knowledge and develop an integrated delivery ethic
• Excellent commercial management, influencing and negotiation skills
• Excellent communicator, able to communicate with customers and colleagues with impact and credibility. Sound ability to formally present to senior Client audiences
• An emerging role model within Kainos and wider Workday ecosystem
• Excellent business writing skills with experience in the production of business cases, requirement documentation, tender documents, contracts, statements of work and change requests
• Demonstrable success in identifying and taking appropriate action on opportunities for additional business.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and make sensible decisions under pressure taking a balanced view of customer demands and Kainos commercials
• Ability to widen and maintain a network of external contacts
• Understanding of risk management and able to manage risk
• Able, if required, to travel to customer sites in the same region (minimal out of region travel may also be required)
• Support the operations function ensure that our consultant pool is used in the most commercially advantageous way, balancing development needs and personal preferences

Nice To Have

• Professional qualifications where applicable in your Capability
• Identify talent for rapid development within the capability
• Experience of managing, mentoring and developing teams
• PRINCE 2 (or similar) certification
• Strong functional domain expertise including areas such as HR and Finance (including Payroll)

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.