Workday Engagement Manager

Kainos; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Workday Engagement Manager to manage the implementation of Workday solutions. The role requires a strong focus on project management, customer relationships, and leadership of blended teams. Candidates should have experience in back-office systems and a customer-centric approach. The company values diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering an environment where all voices are heard and welcomed.

Qualifications

• Experience in implementing back-office systems and Workday solutions in consulting.
• Full lifecycle project management from opportunity to service management.
• Ability to manage dispersed teams and excellent commercial management skills.
• Commercial experience managing distributed and blended teams across regions.
• Strong negotiation and influencing abilities.
• Clear, impactful business writing and stakeholder communication.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites within the region when required.

Responsibilities

• Commercially manage global Workday programmes from pre-sales to hand-over.
• Act as client interface between functional and technical teams.
• Lead blended teams to share knowledge and ensure delivery.
• Manage all project delivery activities including planning, resourcing and milestones.
• Lead blended teams of colleagues, client and partner resources to deliver integrated solutions.
• Define objectives, milestones and contract terms with the client.
• Document requirements, configurations and tests for knowledge transfer and traceability.
• Identify opportunities to win business and close at senior client level.

Skills

Project management

Customer focus

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Education

Workday PM Certification

PRINCE 2 certification

Job description

Join Kainos and shape the future. At Kainos, we are 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.

Main Purpose of the Role & Responsibilities in the Business

As a Workday Engagement Manager in Kainos, you will 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 will manage all aspects of your projects, which will typically be either one large, complex project or multiple smaller projects. This includes project planning, resourcing, milestone tracking, commercial management and customer satisfaction.

Your Key Responsibilities Include

• Commercially manage the implementation of global Workday programmes from pre‑sales through implementation to hand‑over to AMS (Application Management Services).
• Act as the key client interface between functional and technical teams and the client.
• Pragmatically offer domain experience (HCM, Fins, Payroll or where relevant to a Workday Capability) to provide functional insight and thought‑leadership.
• Manage all aspects of project delivery including project planning, resourcing, milestone tracking, commercial management and customer satisfaction.
• Lead and support blended teams of colleagues, client and partner resources to share knowledge and develop an integrated delivery ethic.
• Agree on objectives, outputs, milestones, timescale with the client, together with associated contract and commercial terms.
• Identify requirements, business processes, application configurations, testing plans and other artefacts to be documented to ensure shared understanding and facilitate knowledge transfer.
• Create well‑structured and accurate deliverables and present to client steering‑level groups to secure proposed recommendations and agreement.
• Identify and act on 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. Ability 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 communication skills, with impact and credibility; able to formally present to senior client audiences.
• Emerging role model within Kainos and wider Workday ecosystem.
• Excellent business writing skills with experience producing business cases, requirement documentation, tender documents, contracts, statements of work and change requests.
• Willingness, if required, to travel to customer sites within 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. Our talent acquisition team is here to support you every step of the way, so if you require any accommodations or adjustments, please reach out. We understand everyone's journey is different, and by having a private conversation we can ensure our recruitment process is tailored to your needs.