Principal, Strategic Business Development

Workday; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 195,000 - 297,000; Full time

Job summary

Workday, a Fortune 500 leader in AI-powered people, money, and operations platforms, is seeking a seasoned program manager to own the Sales operational cadence and executive communications in a fast-paced, global environment. You’ll partner with Sales leadership to translate priorities into actionable workstreams and measurable outcomes.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in program management, 4+ years leading cross-functional initiatives, and a track record of governance, schedule development,

Qualifications

• 8+ years experience in project or program management.
• 4+ years experience driving complex cross functional programs with clear timelines and executive communication.
• Demonstrated ability to drive Cross-Functional Alignment across multiple departments and teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end Sales operational cadence, including executive leadership meetings and QBRs.
• Define priorities with senior Sales leadership and translate them into actionable workstreams and milestones.
• Refine communications and materials for executive leadership and external engagements.

Skills

Program management

Executive communication

Job description

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 Team

We are seeking a highly motivated, results-oriented individual to support the Global Customer Operations (GCO) leadership team. This role will own and drive the operational rhythm of the Sales organization, ensuring alignment, accountability, and execution across key cadences, major initiatives, performance metrics, executive communications, and external engagement materials.

About the Role

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in program management, executive communication, sales or customer operations, planning, and operational excellence within a fast-paced, global environment. This role will serve as a trusted partner to Sales leadership, helping translate priorities into operating mechanisms, measurable business outcomes, and consistent execution across the organization.

Operational Cadence and Program Management

Manage the end-to-end Sales operational cadence, including executive leadership meetings, staff meetings, QBRs, cross-functional Interlock meetings and other executive business reviews. Drive the agenda setting process, ensure clear documentation of actions and decisions and facilitate seamless follow-through to ensure accountability. Develop and maintain standardized approaches, templates, and materials for internal business reviews, and leadership communications. Maintain a CAGR and GCO ecosystem of operational artifacts (e.g. templates, planning documents, historical executive decks, action tracking).

Planning and Leadership Alignment

Partner with senior Sales leadership team to define, communicate, and execute priorities. Support annual and quarterly planning processes, including sales goals, operating plans, investment priorities, headcount planning, territory planning, and cross-functional dependencies. Translate Sales priorities into actionable workstreams, milestones, ownership models, and accountability mechanisms. Build trusted relationships with senior leaders across the organization.

Executive Communications and Executive Engagements

Refine communications, presentations, updates, and narratives for Sales leadership in partnership with Exec Comms. Ensure consistent messaging, high-quality materials, and strong preparation for internal and external meetings. Coordinate materials for leadership meetings, QBRs, executive staff meetings, board-level discussions, customer briefings, partner engagements, all-hands meetings, and organization-wide communications. Distill complex business topics into clear, concise, and compelling narratives for executive, field, customer, and cross-functional audiences.

About You

Basic Qualifications (P5)

8+ years experience in project or program management, defining, launching, and iterating on impactful projects or programs. 4+ years experience driving complex cross functional programs with clear timelines and executive communication.

Basic Qualifications (P4)

6+ years experience in project or program management, defining, launching, and iterating on impactful projects or programs. 2+ years experience driving complex cross functional programs with clear timelines and executive communication.

Other qualifications

Demonstrated ability to drive Cross-Functional Alignment across multiple departments and teams Strong Decision Making skills in complex programs, evaluating options, assessing risks, and driving effective solutions. Deep understanding of Governance principles and the ability to establish and enforce structure for owned programs and projects. Proven Schedule Development skills creating integrated master schedules, managing critical paths, and forecasting delays for complex programs. Proven ability to lead Stakeholder Engagement by building strong relationships, influencing key stakeholders, and managing expectations at various levels.

Workday Pay Transparency Statement

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.

• Primary Location: USA.CA.Pleasanton
• Primary Location Base Pay Range: $198,000 USD - $297,000 USD
• Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $167,200 USD - $297,000 USD

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 and Accommodations

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 proud to be an 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.

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.