Senior Director, Strategy & Operations - Finance

Workday•Pleasanton, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

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. About the Team The Strategy & Operations team within the Finance Transformation Office (FTO) provides the connective tissue that aligns vision, execution, and value realization across Workday Finance. This team shapes Finance’s long-term strategy, ensures operational rigor and engagement, and establishes the metrics that define success. By combining strategic foresight, disciplined operating rhythms, and outcome-based measurement, the team enables Finance leadership to execute transformation with clarity, focus, and measurable impact. About the Role We are seeking a Senior Director, Strategy & Operations to report to the VP of Finance Transformation and lead the teams responsible for Finance Strategy, Operations & Engagement, and Value & Metrics. This role will serve as a key strategic partner to Finance leadership ensuring alignment across priorities, execution plans, and performance measurement. The Senior Director will own the mechanisms that translate Finance’s vision into actionable strategies, operating plans, and measurable outcomes. This leader will bring strong executive presence, the ability to influence at the highest levels, and a track record of driving transparency, alignment, and results in complex, global organizations.

Requirements

15+ years of experience in Strategy, Operations, Finance Transformation, or similar roles in complex, global organizations.
Proven success partnering with executive leadership teams, including C-level stakeholders.
Strong experience in performance management, operating models, and strategic planning.

Nice To Haves

Outstanding executive presence and the ability to influence at the highest levels of the organization.
A strong strategic mindset paired with operational discipline and follow-through.
Proven ability to translate vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
Deep experience defining KPIs, value frameworks, and performance dashboards.
Strong communication, storytelling, and facilitation skills.
Comfort operating in ambiguity and leading through complex transformation environments.
A passion for building engaged, high-performing teams and shaping the future of Finance.
The ability to position the Finance Transformation Office as a trusted partner to Finance leadership and the broader enterprise.

Responsibilities

Finance Strategy & Foresight Lead the development of Finance’s long-term strategic vision, including Finance of the Future initiatives and transformation roadmaps.
Partner with Finance and Corporate Strategy leaders on finance-related M&A strategy, integration planning, and operational readiness.
Define and maintain Finance operational tools, strategic frameworks, and decision-support mechanisms.
Value, Metrics & Performance Management Define and maintain the Finance KPI framework, ensuring alignment to business outcomes, transformation goals, and executive priorities.
Develop value realization frameworks that connect initiatives to measurable financial and operational impact.
Establish dashboards and scorecards that provide clear visibility into performance, progress, and return on investment.
Operations, OKRs & Planning Own the Finance operating cadence, including OKRs, annual planning, and prioritization processes.
Ensure tight alignment between strategy, portfolio execution, and resource planning across Finance.
Drive continuous improvement in how Finance plans, executes, and tracks its work.
Engagement, Communications & Culture Lead Finance Operations & Engagement efforts and partner with HR and Communications on internal communications, employee engagement, and recognition programs.
Partner with Finance leadership to strengthen organizational health, clarity of purpose, and team connectivity.
Ensure consistent, high-quality messaging that reinforces Finance strategy, priorities, and transformation progress.
Executive Partnership & Leadership Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the VP of Finance Transformation.
Prepare executive-level materials, narratives, and insights for leadership forums, board interactions, and key reviews.
Facilitate alignment and decision-making across senior stakeholders in Finance and cross-functional organizations.
People Leadership & Capability Building Lead and develop a high-performing team across Strategy, Operations & Engagement, and Value & Metrics.
Build clear role definitions, development paths, and communities of practice.
Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.