Workday Engagement Manager

Kainos; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Kainos is seeking a Workday Engagement Manager in Amsterdam to manage the implementation of Workday solutions. This role includes overseeing complex projects, ensuring customer satisfaction throughout the delivery lifecycle, and acting as the key client interface.

The ideal candidate will have direct experience with Workday implementations and certifications. You will work closely with teams to deliver optimal solutions, and your fluency in Dutch and English will enhance client interactions.

Qualifications

• Experience in the successful delivery of Workday solutions within a consulting environment.
• Ability to manage risk and work under pressure.
• Experience of managing, mentoring and developing teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage implementation of global Workday programs from pre-sales to delivery.
• Act as client interface between functional and technical teams.
• Lead blended teams for effective project delivery.

Skills

Experience implementing Workday

Fluent in Dutch

Fluent in English

Excellent customer focus

Full lifecycle project management

Commercial experience managing teams

Education

Workday PM Certification

Tools

PRINCE 2 (or similar) certification

Job description

Role Overview

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. This is a senior position accountable for the entire delivery lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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 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 & accurate deliverables and present them 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.

Qualifications

• Experience implementing Workday with direct experience in the successful delivery of solutions within a consulting environment.
• Workday PM Certification.
• Experience with Workday delivery methodologies.
• Full lifecycle project management experience, from initial opportunity through requirement development/definition, functional solution design, implementation, data‑migration, system testing, user acceptance testing, go‑live and service management.
• Fluent in Dutch and English.
• Excellent customer focus, able to assess customer needs, build relationships and manage expectations; able to intervene effectively and resolve escalations.
• 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.
• 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 while balancing customer demands and business commercial objectives.
• Ability to widen and maintain a network of external contacts.
• Understanding of risk management and ability to manage risk.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites in the same region (minimal out‑of‑region travel may also be required).
• Support the operations function to ensure that the consultant pool is used in the most commercially advantageous way, balancing development needs and personal preferences.

Nice to Have

• Develop and deliver products/offerings and services that differentiate Kainos in the marketplace.
• 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.