Workday HCM & Absence SME
Location: London, United Kingdom
Type: Permanent, Full-time
Work Pattern: Hybrid (3 days per week onsite)
About the Company Our client is a large enterprise organisation currently investing in the optimisation and maturity of its Workday platform following a complex legacy setup. The business is focused on simplifying processes, improving user experience, and maximising the value of Workday through best-practice configuration and scalable system design.
This role sits within a broader HR systems transformation programme and offers the opportunity to play a key role in shaping how core HCM and Absence processes are delivered across the organisation.
Why This Role Matters
- Lead the optimisation and continuous improvement of Workday HCM and Absence
- Drive standardisation and simplification across HR processes
- Support the organisation’s “adopt rather than adapt” Workday strategy
- Improve automation, user experience, and operational efficiency
- Partner with stakeholders across HR and the wider business to deliver scalable solutions
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the SME for Workday HCM and Absence modules
- Manage system maintenance, enhancements, upgrades, and change requests
- Configure and optimise business processes, security, and module functionality
- Support the delivery of continuous improvement initiatives across Workday
- Develop and maintain the roadmap for HCM and Absence enhancements
- Maximise automation opportunities and reduce off-system processes
- Identify opportunities to simplify or redesign processes to improve user experience
- Facilitate workshops and demonstrations both virtually and onsite
- Gather feedback from end users and stakeholders across the business
- Assess change impacts in line with governance processes and risk controls
- Support testing activities for releases, upgrades, and new functionality
- Manage escalations, incidents, and ticket resolution in line with SLAs
- Configure and maintain HCM and Absence reporting
- Support training materials including user guides, FAQs, demos, and knowledge content
- Utilise Workday Community and Success Plans to remain aligned to best practice and market trends
Who We Are Looking For Essential
- Strong experience supporting and optimising Workday HCM and Absence
- Strong understanding of core HR processes and integrations with payroll and external systems
- Experience configuring Workday business processes and security
- Experience engaging with stakeholders across multiple levels of an organisation
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Experience working within complex or multinational organisations
- Experience supporting large-scale Workday environments and transformation initiatives
- Ability to identify opportunities for simplification and continuous improvement
- Strong communication and stakeholder management capability
Desirable
- Experience supporting organisational change, restructuring, or divestiture activity within Workday
- Experience across multi-business or international Workday deployments
- Exposure to Workday consulting, innovation, or advanced configuration work
- Workday Pro certification in HCM and/or Absence (attained or in progress)
Additional Information
- Hybrid working with 3 days per week onsite in London
- Long-live role, therefore candidates must confirm they have not previously applied
- Right to represent required prior to submission
Hiring Process
- Initial screening conversation
- Interview process with HR Systems and business stakeholders
- Final stage discussions with senior leadership teams