Principal, Contract Manager

About the role

You will join the EMEA Commercial Legal team supporting UK and EMEA public sector customers. The team partners closely with Sales, Corporate Affairs, Compliance, Security, and Customer Success to enable compliant, scalable growth across central, regional and local government, higher education, social housing, and health. This role will primarily be responsible for managing strategic public sector contracts and frameworks; ensuring regulatory and policy compliance; and shaping our routes to market. As Principal Contract Manager - Public Sector (UK & EMEA), you will be the senior contract lead for our public sector portfolio. You will combine deep knowledge of public sector frameworks and policy with hands‑on contract management and strategic deal support.

Responsibilities

• Design, run, and continuously improve contract management systems and processes for UK and EMEA public sector customers.
• Maintain accurate, searchable records for strategic contracts and frameworks, including risk, obligations, and renewal data and coordinate with compliance and audit teams.
• Identify, assess, and recommend participation in new frameworks and contract vehicles in UK and key EMEA markets and manage day‑to‑day engagement with UK public sector buying bodies (e.g. central government commercial agencies).
• Ensure full compliance with framework‑level obligations, including reporting, information returns, and audits.
• Help track emerging procurement policy (e.g. social value, sustainability, modern slavery, prompt payment) and their implications and lead cross‑functional work to implement new compliance and reporting processes and to evidence compliance.
• Lead end‑to‑end contract management of key UK public sector contracts (including the UK Government Matrix Contract for Workday).
• Support public sector growth across EMEA and put in place standardised processes and playbooks that support effective, compliant public sector sales in key EMEA markets while identifying and implementing best practices, tools, and guidance to strengthen public sector contract management across UK & EMEA.
• About You

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in contract management, commercial management, or similar, with significant focus on working with public sector contracts.
• Proven track record building and improving contract management systems and processes, including compliance and audit readiness.
• Strong understanding of UK public sector procurement and how policy translates into practical contractual and reporting requirements.
• Other Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience).
• Familiarity with themes such as social value, sustainability, wellbeing, modern slavery, and prompt payment, and experience embedding these into frameworks.
• Our Approach to Flexible Work
• At Workday, we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive hiring experience where all candidates can fully demonstrate their skills. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point, please e

Benefits

Additional Information

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.

Your Match

How well this role fits your profile.

Company Intel

What employees say

Worked at Workday? Share your experience