Strategic HR Project Lead

About the role

The Strategic Planning & PMO team is the connective tissue that keeps People & Purpose (P&P) running at its best. We are responsible for full portfolio oversight-from daily operational coordination to annual strategic roadmap planning-and we serve as the go-to project managers for P&P's largest, most complex initiatives. We collaborate closely to solve complex challenges, share expertise, and support one another as a high-impact group committed to driving operational excellence and building a world-class HR PMO. We are seeking a highly versatile and experienced Senior Principal, Strategic Initiatives to play a pivotal role in driving strategic, cross-functional initiatives across the full Workday enterprise. In this role, you are more than a coordinator; you are a central leader and Executive Delegate empowered by sponsors to act as a neutral lead for high-stakes, undefined, or emergent work. You will guide diverse project teams to achieve ambitious objectives, ensure absolute alignment across global stakeholders, and break deadlocks where functional silos exist. This position demands a proactive leader who can navigate complex organizational landscapes, provide high-level strategic counsel to senior executives, and anticipate macro-level risks before they impact the business. You will be instrumental in providing flexible support across a dynamic portfolio-shifting seamlessly from upfront structuring and defining the "how" and "why" to managing complex initiatives through their full lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver high‑impact initiatives: Bring clarity and structure to undefined work; lead the design, planning, and end‑to‑end delivery of P&P's most complex, business‑emergent programs.
• Provide strategic, neutral leadership: Serve as a trusted partner to senior and executive leaders, acting as a neutral project lead who focuses on enterprise outcomes and can help drive critical‑path decisions when alignment is tough.
• Build frameworks and governance: Establish program structures, operating rhythms, and clear escalation pathways from the ground up to ensure team clarity and accountability.
• Align teams and manage risk: Coordinate across P&P and Workday to drive efficiency; proactively identify risks and execute mitigation plans.
• Lead stakeholder communication: Build strong executive relationships and clearly report program health and outcomes to facilitate decision-making.
• About You

Requirements

• Experience : 12+ years of progressive program leadership driving large-scale enterprise initiatives.
• HR Domain Knowledge: Significant expertise in HR processes and priorities.
• Other Qualifications
• Executive Presence: Ability to build rapport with and challenge Executive Sponsors in ambiguous environments.
• Objective Ownership: Proven ability to prioritize enterprise or P&P value over functional interests.
• Strategic Alignment & Systems Thinking: Mastery at identifying interconnections
• Proactive Risk & Issue Management: Strong instinct for anticipating challenges & keeping programs on course.
• Cross-Functional Accountability: Skilled at aligning departments and holding senior leaders accountable.
• Executive Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to distill complex information into clear, concise updates and recommendations tailored to executive audiences.
• Workday Pay Transparency Statement

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.

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