Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Workday transformation programme and ensure smooth project delivery.
- Company: Join Arriva, a major player in European transport services with a rich history.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to work on impactful projects.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of a major transformation and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management, especially with Workday programmes.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Arriva is one of the largest transport services organisations in Europe, employing more than 34,000 people and delivering more than 1.6 billion passenger journeys across 11 European countries every year. We have strong roots dating back to 1938, an ambitious growth agenda, and a continuously developing relationship with I Squared who acquired Arriva in 2024.
The Project Manager supports the Programme Director in the successful delivery of the Workday transformation programme. The role is responsible for managing day-to-day programme and project delivery activities, embedding robust delivery controls, and ensuring effective integration between transformation activity and BAU operations. The Project Manager plays a critical role in enabling a smooth transition from programme delivery into a sustainable Workday support operating model.
Location: Sunderland or London office. This is a full-time role for at least 18 months.
Workday Transformation Programme Delivery (Supporting the Programme Director)
- Support the Programme Director in the execution of the Workday transformation strategy and roadmap.
- Manage day-to-day delivery of the Workday transformation programme in line with agreed objectives, scope, and priorities.
- Develop, maintain, and track integrated programme and project plans, ensuring alignment across all workstreams.
- Coordinate delivery activities across functional, technical, data, integration, testing, and change workstreams.
- Manage dependencies, risks, and issues, escalating to the Programme Director with clear analysis and recommendations.
- Support the preparation of materials for governance forums, steering committees, and design authorities.
- Ensure programme delivery adheres to agreed methodologies, standards, and Workday best practices.
Delivery Controls, Planning & Assurance
- Establish and operate delivery management controls, including RAID logs, milestone tracking, financial tracking, and quality checks.
- Support scope management and change control, ensuring impacts to timelines, cost, and BAU operations are understood.
- Coordinate release planning, ensuring Workday changes are scheduled and deployed in a controlled manner.
- Support with testing coordination across all phases (system, integration, UAT, regression), supporting issue triage and resolution.
- Support cutover planning, go-live readiness assessments, and deployment activities.
BAU Workday Team Management
- Provide operational leadership for the BAU Workday team during the transformation period.
- Balance BAU priorities with transformation delivery demands, ensuring business continuity.
- Coordinate resource planning between BAU support and project activities.
- Support capability development, knowledge transfer, and skills uplift within the BAU team.
- Act as an escalation point for BAU-related risks impacting transformation delivery.
Transition to Support Operating Model
- Support the People Director in the design and implementation of the target Workday support operating model.
- Coordinate transition activities from project delivery into BAU and support teams.
- Ensure effective handover of configuration, integrations, reporting, and documentation.
- Support the establishment of service management processes, KPIs, and SLAs.
- Assist in planning and managing post-go-live stabilisation activities.
Stakeholder, Vendor & Partner Coordination
- Act as a key delivery interface between business stakeholders, Workday teams, and implementation partners.
- Support vendor and systems integrator management through delivery tracking and issue escalation.
- Provide accurate and timely reporting to the Programme Director and senior stakeholders.
- Support communications relating to delivery progress, risks, and upcoming milestones.
Risk, Financial & Benefits Support
- Track programme delivery costs and support budget forecasting and controls.
- Maintain programme RAID and benefits tracking, supporting value realisation reporting.
- Identify and escalate delivery, operational, and transition risks with mitigation options.
Essential knowledge, skills & experience
- Proven experience project managing Workday programmes.
- Strong project management skills across multi-stream delivery environments.
- Experience supporting senior programme leadership on large transformations.
- Strong understanding of BAU operations and service transition.
Desirable
- Experience working with Workday systems integrators.
- Knowledge of ITIL and service transition practices.
- Workday module or functional experience.
- Experience in regulated or complex organisational environments.
Personal Attributes
- Highly organised and detail-focused.
- Strong collaborator and trusted delivery partner.
- Proactive and solutions-oriented.
- Confident communicator with senior stakeholders.
- Resilient and adaptable in complex delivery environments.
This job description sets out the main duties and responsibilities of the job-holder. It does not constitute an exhaustive or comprehensive description of duties and the job holder will be required to carry out any additional tasks as and when requested to do so by their manager. Responsibilities and duties may also change in light of future business needs and personal development.
The closing date for applications is Thursday 29th January 2026. Arriva Group reserves the right to close this vacancy early.
Project Manager - Workday Transformation & Transition - 18 Months FTC in Sunderland employer: Arriva Group
Contact Detail:
Arriva Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager - Workday Transformation & Transition - 18 Months FTC in Sunderland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or at industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Project Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Arriva and the Workday transformation programme. We want to see you shine with your knowledge about their operations and how you can contribute to their ambitious growth agenda.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for answering behavioural questions. We love to hear about your past experiences, so make sure you’ve got some solid examples ready that showcase your project management skills and ability to handle complex delivery environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager - Workday Transformation & Transition - 18 Months FTC in Sunderland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Project Manager role. Highlight your experience with Workday programmes and project management skills that align with the job description. We want to see how your background fits perfectly with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Workday transformation programme. Share specific examples of your past successes and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Project Manager, strong communication is key. In your application, demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders. We love seeing examples of how you've managed relationships and communicated progress in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Arriva!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva Group
✨Know Your Workday Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of Workday and its functionalities. Familiarise yourself with the specific modules relevant to the role, as well as any recent updates or changes in the system. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also your readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Project Management Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences that showcase your project management skills, especially in multi-stream delivery environments. Be ready to discuss how you've managed risks, dependencies, and stakeholder communications in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the Project Manager position.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
As a Project Manager, you'll need to work closely with various teams and stakeholders. Think of instances where you've successfully collaborated with others to achieve a common goal. Highlight your ability to balance BAU priorities with transformation demands, as this is key for the role.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the Workday transformation programme, the team dynamics, and how success is measured in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
