Workday Project Manager

Workday Project Manager (Benefits Implementation)

Contract: 11 Months
Location: New York City (Hybrid, ideally 2 days per week onsite)
Start: September 2026
Programme Kick-Off: October 2026
Target Go-Live: July 2027

Overview
We are seeking an experienced Workday Project Manager to lead the client-side delivery of a large-scale global Workday Benefits implementation. This is a high-profile programme involving the deployment of Workday Benefits across multiple regions, with approximately half of the benefit plans based in the United States and the remainder spanning key international markets including Germany, the UK, the Philippines, and other locations.

Acting as the primary client-side project lead, you will oversee the delivery of a global Systems Integrator (SI), ensure programme quality, manage senior stakeholder expectations, and drive successful execution through design, build, testing, deployment, cutover, and go-live.

This is a business-critical transformation programme with significant complexity, including integration to more than 40 benefits providers and partners globally.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the client-side Project Manager for a global Workday Benefits implementation.
• Manage and govern the System Integrator, ensuring quality, delivery standards, and adherence to programme timelines.
• Establish and maintain programme governance, reporting, RAID management, and executive communications.
• Partner closely with senior stakeholders, including key programme sponsors based in New York, ensuring alignment on priorities, risks, timelines, and outcomes.
• Drive programme planning from mobilisation through go-live and hypercare.
• Oversee the end-to-end cutover strategy and execution for a complex benefits ecosystem involving 40+ external vendors and benefits partners.
• Coordinate global deployment activities across multiple countries and business units.
• Ensure integration, testing, and deployment activities are effectively managed and meet quality expectations.
• Work closely with Change Management and Communications teams to support adoption of a new global benefits platform.
• Facilitate decision-making, resolve escalations, and proactively manage programme risks and dependencies.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including HR, Benefits, Payroll, Technology, Security, Integrations, and external vendors.

Required Experience

• Proven experience leading large-scale Workday implementations as a Project Manager.
• Strong experience delivering Workday Benefits programmes, ideally across multiple countries.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and challenge global Systems Integrators on behalf of the client.
• Experience leading complex transformation initiatives involving multiple workstreams and executive stakeholders.
• Strong governance, risk management, budgeting, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Experience managing global cutover and deployment activities.
• Familiarity with benefits provider integrations, third-party vendor management, and testing coordination.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with experience engaging senior executives and programme sponsors.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience delivering global Workday Benefits programmes involving US and international benefit plans.
• Experience coordinating large integration landscapes with numerous third-party vendors.
• Background within large multinational organisations undergoing HR transformation.
• Workday certification or prior hands-on Workday programme delivery experience.

Key Attributes

• Executive presence and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong programme governance and quality management mindset.
• Able to balance strategic oversight with hands-on delivery leadership.
• Comfortable operating in complex, fast-paced global environments.
• Proven ability to drive accountability across internal teams, vendors, and implementation partners.

This role offers the opportunity to lead a business-critical global Workday Benefits deployment and play a pivotal role in the successful rollout of a new benefits platform across multiple regions worldwide.