Principal Engagement Manager - Paradox

JLL; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 155,000 - 232,000; Full time

Job summary

JLL is seeking a Principal Engagement Manager to lead large, global Workday deployments, guiding cross-functional teams and aligning with executive expectations. You’ll shape deployment methodology, resolve complex issues, and advise on process improvements across the implementation lifecycle.

The role requires extensive experience in HCM/payroll/financial implementations and fluency in communicating with executives and stakeholders. Occasional travel and flexible work arrangements are expected.

Qualifications

• 5+ years project management in HCM, Payroll, Financial or Student implementations across medium enterprise, large enterprise, higher education and/or state and local governments.
• 5+ years implementing Workday, Oracle, SAP, PeopleSoft or similar applications.
• Experience working with third party vendors and integration partners.
• Experience implementing projects for companies with 10,000+ employees.
• Excellent communication across multiple channels with the ability to adjust messaging to audience.
• Experience managing a formal project plan using project plan software (MS Project, Smartsheet, Wrike, Financial Force, etc.)

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with our largest and most complex customers as trusted advisor and engagement manager.
• Apply our implementation methodology to ensure consistency and accelerate value realization.
• Develop and manage project plans to deliver contracted products and services.
• Manage all project timelines, operations, and communications with client.
• Coordinate status checkpoints, meetings, updates, tasks, and risks.
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver configurations, integrations, and feature enhancements.
• Work with customer teams to ensure smooth transition into release and adoption.
• Provide knowledge sharing and mentor team members; document processes for improvement.
• Advocate for customers with product teams and influence roadmap decisions.

Skills

Project management

Workday

ERP systems

Communication

Travel readiness

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Wrike

Financial Force

Job description

About the Team

Your work days are brighter here. We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Role

The Principal Engagement Manager will be an expert with the Workday Deployment Methodology while managing large to complex global deployments. In this role, they will use their broad expertise to resolve multiple complex issues in creative and effective ways. They will also support executive level expectations by providing internal recommendations to management, based on field experience, as to how to potentially enhance the Workday Deployment Methodology.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with our largest and most complex customers, acting as a trusted advisor and engagement manager throughout implementation.
• Apply our implementation methodology to ensure consistency in the customer experience and expedite the time it takes for our customers to see value from our solutions.
• Develop and manage project plans to deliver the contracted products and services.
• Manage all project timelines, operations, and communications, both internally and with the client.
• This includes conducting regular status checkpoints, coordinating meetings, providing timely updates, tracking achievements and outstanding tasks, and providing insight to project risks, dependencies, and potential delays.
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver platform configurations, integrate systems, enhance features, and track progress towards timely completion of deliverables.
• Work closely with the customer management teams to share knowledge and ensure a smooth transition into release and ongoing adoption.
• Provide knowledge sharing and mentoring to team members and document processes for continuous improvement.
• Advocate for customers with our product teams, influence roadmap decisions, and suggest improvements in our customer onboarding process.

About You

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience of project management with HCM, Payroll, Financial or Student implementations within medium enterprise, large enterprise, higher education and/or state and local governments.
• 5+ years of experience implementing Workday, Oracle, SAP, PeopleSoft or similar applications.

Other Qualifications

• Experience working with third party vendors and integration partners
• Experience working on implementation projects for companies with 10,000+ employees
• Excellent communication skills across multiple channels with the ability to adjust messaging to their audience
• Experience managing a formal project plan using project plan software (MS Project, Smartsheet, Wrike, Financial Force, etc.)
• Excellent facilitation skills and the ability to lead by influence
• Available to travel up to 5% for client engagements

Workday Pay Transparency Statement

The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits, please click here. Primary Location: USA.IL.Chicago Primary Location Base Pay Range: $154,700 USD - $232,100 USD Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $140,000 USD - $248,600 USD Additional Considerations: If performed in Colorado, the pay range for this job is $147,400 - $221,000 USD based on min and max pay range for that role if performed in CO. The application deadline for this role is the same as the posting end date stated as below: 10/02/2026

Our Approach to Flexible Work

With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in-office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

Equal Opportunity

Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. Workday is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals during our application process, in order to perform one or more essential functions of their job, as well as regarding the use of AI tools for employment decision-making to any degree. Please see below for more details including how to request an accommodation as a qualified veteran, due to a disability or for religious reasons, or as otherwise provided under applicable law. Workday prohibits taking adverse action against any candidate or employee for reporting a possible violation of this policy, requesting one or more work accommodations, exercising a privacy right, or cooperating in an investigation in accordance with applicable law. Any employee who retaliates against a candidate or employee for doing so may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, to the fullest extent allowable under applicable law. If you require a reasonable accommodation, you may email [e-mail], as far in advance as possible.

Workday is a proud equal opportunity workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Workday are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Further, pursuant to applicable local ordinances, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. We do not accept resumes from headhunters, placement agencies, or other suppliers that have not signed a formal agreement with us. You may view the Workday's Pay Transparency Policy, and Know Your Rights Notice, by clicking on their corresponding links. Workday is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals during our application process, in order to perform one or more essential functions of their job, as well as regarding the use of AI tools for employment decision-making to any degree. Please see below for more details including how to request an accommodation as a qualified veteran, due to a disability or for religious reasons, or as otherwise provided under applicable law. Workday prohibits taking adverse action against any candidate or employee for reporting a possible violation of this policy, requesting one or more work accommodation, exercising a privacy right, or cooperating in an investigation in accordance with applicable law. Any employee who retaliates against a candidate or employee for doing so may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, to the fullest extent allowable under applicable law. If you require a reasonable accommodation, you may email [e-mail], as far in advance as possible.