Workday HCM Core HR Manager / HCM Workstream Lead
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Workday HCM Core HR Manager / HCM Workstream Lead to serve as the country-level functional lead for the implementation, configuration, and deployment of Workday Core HCM. This individual will act as the primary subject matter expert for Core HR processes, ensuring that global Workday design standards are effectively translated into local business requirements, operational practices, and regulatory obligations.
The successful candidate will partner closely with Global HR, Payroll, Talent Management, Technology, and external implementation partners to drive Workday deployment activities from design through post-go-live stabilization. This role requires a combination of deep Workday functional expertise, strong stakeholder management skills, and the ability to lead complex HR transformation initiatives in a global environment.
Key Responsibilities
Workday Functional Leadership
- Serve as the country-level functional owner and subject matter expert for Workday Core HCM.
- Lead the design, configuration, testing, deployment, and optimization of Workday Core HR functionality.
- Ensure alignment between global Workday templates and local business requirements.
- Provide guidance on Workday best practices and recommend process improvements that support operational efficiency and scalability.
- Act as the primary liaison between global program teams and local business stakeholders.
Core HCM Configuration & Design
- Lead configuration activities across Core HCM, including:
- Supervisory Organizations
- Organizational Structures
- Position Management
- Staffing Models
- Job Profiles and Job Families
- Worker Data Management
- Business Process Framework
- Evaluate and document business requirements and translate them into functional specifications and Workday configurations.
- Support organizational design initiatives and workforce management strategies through effective Workday configuration.
Business Process Management
- Configure and optimize Workday business processes to support employee lifecycle events, including:
- Hiring
- Job Changes
- Promotions
- Transfers
- Terminations
- Organizational Changes
- Ensure workflows align with organizational policies, governance standards, and compliance requirements.
- Partner with HR leadership to identify opportunities for process standardization and automation.
Security, Data Governance & Compliance
- Support Workday security design, role assignments, and access controls.
- Ensure data governance standards are maintained across employee and organizational data.
- Partner with HR, Compliance, and Technology teams to address privacy, audit, and regulatory requirements.
- Validate data integrity and support data conversion, cleansing, and migration activities during implementation and deployment phases.
Deployment & Transformation Leadership
- Lead country-level deployment activities within global Workday implementation programs.
- Coordinate design workshops, requirements gathering sessions, testing cycles, and user acceptance testing.
- Manage deployment timelines, risks, issues, dependencies, and change impacts.
- Support cutover planning, go-live readiness activities, and post-production stabilization efforts.
- Drive adoption through training support, documentation, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
Stakeholder Management
- Build strong partnerships with:
- HR Business Partners
- Payroll Teams
- Talent Management Teams
- HR Operations
- Technology and Integration Teams
- External Implementation Partners
- Facilitate workshops and decision-making sessions with business leaders and project teams.
- Communicate project status, risks, recommendations, and key decisions to senior stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Information Systems, or a related field.
- 7+ years of experience supporting or implementing Workday HCM solutions.
- 5+ years of hands-on Workday Core HCM configuration experience.
- Proven expertise in:
- Organizational Management
- Position Management
- Business Process Configuration
- Security Administration
- Data Governance
- Core HR Operations
- Experience leading at least one or more full lifecycle Workday implementations or global deployment programs.
- Demonstrated experience serving as:
- HCM Workstream Lead
- Functional Lead
- Solution Architect
- Country Deployment Lead
- Workday Program Lead
- Strong understanding of HR business processes and employee lifecycle management.
- Experience translating global design standards into country-specific operational and compliance requirements.
- Exceptional stakeholder management, facilitation, and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a multinational or global organization.
- Previous consulting experience with a major consulting firm, Workday partner, or system integrator.
- Experience supporting large-scale HR transformation initiatives.
- Knowledge of Workday integrations, reporting, and downstream HR systems.
- Workday certifications in Core HCM or related functional areas.
- Experience working in Agile, hybrid, or large enterprise project environments.
Success Factors
The ideal candidate combines deep Workday functional expertise with strong leadership and business acumen. They are comfortable influencing stakeholders at all levels, navigating complex global environments, and balancing standardization with local business needs. They possess a strong understanding of HR operations and can effectively lead Workday deployment activities while ensuring a seamless employee and manager experience.
