Workday Engagement Manager

Kainos; Ilkley; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology consultancy in the UK is seeking a Workday Engagement Manager to oversee the implementation of Workday solutions. This role involves managing projects, leading teams, and ensuring client satisfaction. Ideal candidates will have experience in delivering Workday solutions, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage commercial aspects of projects. Join us to be part of a diverse team where your contributions make a real impact.

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering Workday solutions in a consulting/IT environment.
• Full lifecycle project management experience from opportunity to go-live.
• Capable of resolving customer escalations and managing expectations.
• Ability to present formally to senior client audiences.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Manage implementation of Workday solutions for customers.
• Accountable for delivery lifecycle alongside sales and architects.
• Commercially manage global Workday programmes.
• Lead blended teams to develop delivery ethic.
• Create accurate deliverables for client presentations.

Skills

Experience in implementing back office systems

Excellent customer focus

Commercial experience of managing teams

Excellent communication skills

Excellent business writing skills

Education

Workday PM Certification

PRINCE 2 (or similar) certification

Job description

Overview

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.

Role focus

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE BUSINESS:

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.

Minimum (Essential) Requirements

• Experience in implementing back office systems with direct experience in the successful delivery of Workday solutions within a consulting environment/ IT services environment

• Full lifecycle project management experience, from initial opportunity through to requirement development / definition, functional solution design, implementation, data-migration, system testing, user acceptance testing, go-live and service management

• Excellent customer focus, able to assess customer needs, build relationships and manage customer expectations. You will be able to intervene effectively and resolve customer escalations appropriately

• 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

• Able, if required, to travel to customer sites in the same region (minimal out of region travel may also be required)

Desirable

• Workday PM Certification
• 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.