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- Tasks: Lead the design and optimisation of HCM processes in Workday, driving continuous improvement.
- Company: Join Arriva, a leading European transport partner with a strong sustainability agenda.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting transformation and make a real impact on employee experience.
- Qualifications: Strong HR process experience and stakeholder engagement skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Arriva is a leading European passenger transport partner, operating in 11 countries across the UK and Europe. We employ around 35,000 people and deliver more than 1.5 billion passenger journeys each year, connecting people and communities safely, reliably, and sustainably. With strong roots dating back to 1938, Arriva has an ambitious growth and sustainability agenda. In 2024, the business was acquired by I Squared Capital, a global infrastructure investment fund manager, supporting Arriva's next phase of development.
We are looking for a Workday Senior Functional Partner - HCM to join our Workday Support Team during an exciting time of transformation! The role will be based from either our Sunderland or London office on a hybrid basis, 3 days minimum in the office.
This role leads the design and optimisation of Human Capital Management (HCM) processes within Workday, driving continuous improvement and best practice, including absence management. You will oversee the implementation of system updates and configuration changes across HCM, security, and business processes, acting as a trusted partner to functional leaders. The role delivers value by ensuring efficient, standardised processes and maximising the use of out-of-the-box Workday functionality.
Key Responsibilities:- Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Workday HCM and Absence modules.
- Maintain, enhance, and manage change requests and upgrades across these modules.
- Deliver the Workday Support Team's solutions, working closely with key stakeholders to agree and deliver a continuous improvement plan.
- Develop and maintain the roadmap for HCM and Absence adoption and future enhancements.
- Support business units as a critical enabler to maximise automation and reduce off-system processes.
- Identify opportunities to simplify, improve, or redesign processes to enhance user experience.
- Own communications for the HCM and Absence workstreams.
- Gather and act on feedback from end users across the business.
- Host and facilitate workshops and demonstrations (virtual and in-person) to showcase best practice and 'what good looks like.'
- Assess change impacts in line with the established governance model to reduce risk and identify improvement opportunities.
- Manage or oversee testing for new functionality, upgrades, and releases.
- Actively support issue resolution, managing escalations, tracking tickets, and working to agreed SLAs.
- Configure and maintain reports relating to HCM and Absence.
- Support training activities and materials, including user guides, FAQs, recorded demonstrations, and SharePoint content.
- Leverage Workday Community and Workday Success Plans to stay aligned with best practice and market trends.
- Maintain strong connections with Workday to bring external insight into the organisation.
- Strong experience with core HR processes and their interaction with payroll and external systems (e.g. time recording, recruitment).
- Proven experience working with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
- Experience in multi-national organisations.
- Experience supporting multi-business implementations.
- Understanding of sales, divestitures, and their impact on Workday.
- Experience working in areas of high innovation, configuration, and consulting within Workday.
- Workday Pro certification in HCM and/or Absence (attained or working towards).
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 12 May 2026. Arriva Group reserves the right to close this vacancy early.
Workday Senior Functional Partner - HCM in Houghton-Le-Spring employer: Arriva Limited
Contact Detail:
Arriva Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Workday Senior Functional Partner - HCM in Houghton-Le-Spring
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Arriva on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and what they really value in candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to HCM and Workday. We should also be ready to discuss how we've driven continuous improvement in past roles. Show them we know our stuff!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase our problem-solving skills! Think of examples where we've simplified processes or improved user experience. This will help us stand out as a candidate who can add real value.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen. Plus, it shows we're serious about joining the team at Arriva during this exciting transformation.
We think you need these skills to ace Workday Senior Functional Partner - HCM in Houghton-Le-Spring
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Workday Senior Functional Partner role. Highlight your experience with HCM processes and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align 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 passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention any specific experiences that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills: Since this role involves working closely with stakeholders, make sure to highlight your communication and collaboration skills in your application. We love seeing examples of how you've successfully engaged with different teams in the past.
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 gives you a chance to explore more about Arriva and our values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva Limited
✨Know Your Workday Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Workday HCM and Absence modules knowledge. Be prepared to discuss specific functionalities and how they can be optimised. Familiarise yourself with recent updates and best practices to show you're on top of your game.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since the role involves working closely with various stakeholders, think about how you can demonstrate your experience in stakeholder engagement. Prepare examples of how you've gathered feedback and facilitated workshops in the past to showcase your communication skills.
✨Showcase Continuous Improvement Mindset
Arriva is looking for someone who can drive continuous improvement. Come ready with ideas on how to simplify processes or enhance user experience within Workday. This will show that you’re proactive and aligned with their growth agenda.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage change. Think of situations where you've successfully implemented system updates or resolved issues, and be ready to discuss the outcomes and lessons learned.