Workday Programme Director (Global HR Transformation) | London hybrid | September 2026 start

We are currently supporting a leading global insurance organisation embarking on a major HR transformation programme and are seeking an exceptional Workday Programme Director to lead the end-to-end delivery of a complex, enterprise-wide Workday implementation.

This is a high-profile leadership role requiring a seasoned programme director with deep expertise in global Workday deployments, outstanding executive stakeholder management skills, and a proven ability to deliver large-scale transformation programmes across multiple geographies and business functions.

Working closely with Executive Committee members, HR leadership, technology teams and strategic delivery partners, you will provide overall programme leadership from design and mobilisation through deployment and post-go-live stabilisation.

• Act as the overall Programme Director and accountable leader for a global Workday HR transformation programme.
• Lead all phases of delivery, including mobilisation, design, build, testing, deployment, hypercare and programme closure.
• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to senior stakeholders, ensuring alignment between programme objectives and business outcomes.
• Establish and maintain robust programme governance structures, steering committees and executive decision-making forums.
• Manage programme risks, issues, dependencies and critical delivery decisions.
• Oversee delivery across multiple workstreams, vendors, regions and business functions.
• Ensure programme milestones, timelines and outcomes are achieved to agreed quality standards.
• Lead programme financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, resource planning and financial reporting.
• Drive collaboration across HR, Technology, Change, Operations and external delivery partners.
• Provide clear and concise executive reporting and communications to senior leadership and Board-level stakeholders.

• Support organisational readiness, adoption and business transition activities to maximise programme success.

• Extensive experience leading large-scale Workday HCM implementation programmes.
• Proven track record delivering complex global Workday transformations across multiple business units and geographies.
• Significant experience implementing a broad range of Workday modules, including:
• HCM
• Recruiting
• Benefits
• Learning
• Talent Management
• Advanced Compensation
• Global Payroll Connect
• Experience operating as the overall Workday Programme Lead, with accountability for end-to-end delivery.

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with the ability to engage, influence and challenge senior executives.
• Strong programme governance experience, including management of risks, issues, dependencies and executive reporting.
• Demonstrable experience managing programme budgets, forecasts, resource plans and financial controls.
• Proven ability to lead large, cross-functional teams comprising internal resources, system integrators and third-party vendors.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to tailor messaging for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong focus on delivery excellence, execution and achieving measurable business outcomes.

• Comfortable operating at Executive Committee and C-suite level.

• Experience delivering Workday programmes within the insurance sector.
• Experience within other highly regulated industries, such as financial services, banking or asset management.

• Experience managing global transformation programmes involving complex regulatory, operational and organisational change requirements.

• Brings gravitas and credibility when working with senior executives.
• Can navigate complex stakeholder environments and drive decision-making at pace.
• Is highly delivery-focused whilst maintaining strategic oversight.
• Has successfully led large-scale global HR transformation programmes from inception through to stabilisation.
• Thrives in complex environments and is able to unite multiple teams behind a common objective.