Workday FINS Lead

Fortrea•Durham, CA

About The Position

Job Overview: The Director, Workday Lead is a people leader responsible for guiding the strategic direction, governance, and operational excellence of the Workday platform across Human Resources, Finance, and related enterprise functions. This role oversees a team of Workday specialists and serves as the thought partner for HR, Finance, or IT leadership. The Workday Director ensures that Workday remains scalable, compliant, and optimized for evolving business needs, while driving impactful initiatives spanning integrations, security, reporting, and cross‑functional architecture Summary of Responsibilities: Provide strategic leadership for Workday across HR, Finance, or holistic platform domains (integrations, security, reporting, architecture). Lead and develop a high‑performing team, setting clear priorities, enabling growth, and ensuring strong delivery outcomes. Drive enterprise solution design for major initiatives, including new modules, complex enhancements, and cross-system architecture. Oversee Workday governance, ensuring scalable configuration, secure operations, and alignment with SOX, audit, and compliance standards. Serve as a senior Workday expert, advising functional executives on system capabilities, risks, and strategic opportunities. Direct AMS and third-party partners, ensuring clear ownership, high-quality deliverables, and alignment with internal standards. Guide resolution of high-impact issues involving integrations, security, reporting, or platform performance. Develop and maintain long-term roadmaps focused on simplification, stability, and enterprise‑level scalability. Foster strong partnerships with HR, Finance, IT, Payroll, and Audit to align technology with business needs. Communicate platform strategies, changes, and risks to executive leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.

Requirements

8+ years of Workday experience with deep expertise in HR, Finance, or Workday platform domains (integrations, security, reporting, architecture).
3+ years of people leadership experience, including managing teams, developing talent, and driving organizational outcomes.
Proven track record leading large‑scale Workday initiatives or enterprise transformations.
Experience managing AMS or managed services partners.
Background operating in regulated, SOX‑controlled, or audit‑driven environments.
Advanced knowledge in FINS and then at least one major Workday domain: HR/HCM: Core HCM, Compensation, Talent, Absence Platform: Integrations, Security, Reporting, Architecture
Strong analytical, solutioning, and decision‑making capabilities.
Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex concepts for senior audiences.
Ability to operate effectively in a global, matrixed environment.
Vendor management experience and familiarity with AMS operating models.
Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

Nice To Haves

Leadership of Workday post‑implementation stabilization, large platform upgrades, or multi-module rollouts.
Experience in life sciences, healthcare, or other regulated industries.
Prior ownership of governance frameworks related to security, integration architecture, or reporting.
Exposure to identity governance, audit remediation, or enterprise data governance efforts.
Workday Pro or Workday Certification in relevant domain(s).
PMP, ITIL, or similar certifications supporting enterprise delivery.
Experience presenting to executive leadership teams or steering committees

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for Workday across HR, Finance, or holistic platform domains (integrations, security, reporting, architecture).
Lead and develop a high‑performing team, setting clear priorities, enabling growth, and ensuring strong delivery outcomes.
Drive enterprise solution design for major initiatives, including new modules, complex enhancements, and cross-system architecture.
Oversee Workday governance, ensuring scalable configuration, secure operations, and alignment with SOX, audit, and compliance standards.
Serve as a senior Workday expert, advising functional executives on system capabilities, risks, and strategic opportunities.
Direct AMS and third-party partners, ensuring clear ownership, high-quality deliverables, and alignment with internal standards.
Guide resolution of high-impact issues involving integrations, security, reporting, or platform performance.
Develop and maintain long-term roadmaps focused on simplification, stability, and enterprise‑level scalability.
Foster strong partnerships with HR, Finance, IT, Payroll, and Audit to align technology with business needs.
Communicate platform strategies, changes, and risks to executive leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.