At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Workday Payroll implementations and provide strategic guidance to clients.
- Company: Join Cognizant, a forward-thinking tech company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, learning opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Minimal travel required, with excellent career growth and global opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming payroll processes and mentoring future leaders.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of Workday implementation experience and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 69750 - 85250 £ per year.
The Workday Payroll Senior Principal Consultant is a senior functional leader responsible for driving the design, delivery, and overall success of Workday Payroll implementations.
Acting as a trusted advisor to clients and project teams, this individual provides strategic guidance on payroll transformation, payroll operations, and Workday leading practices while ensuring solutions align with business objectives.
The Senior Principal Consultant combines deep Workday Payroll expertise with delivery leadership, pre-sales support, and people development responsibilities.
They lead complex solution discussions, guide implementation teams, support business development activities, and play a key role in growing the Workday practice through mentoring and knowledge sharing.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a senior Workday Payroll subject matter expert, providing guidance on payroll strategy, operations, and Workday best practices.
- Lead client workshops, discovery sessions, and design discussions to define scalable Workday Payroll solutions aligned to business requirements.
- Own solution design and provide oversight across configuration, testing, deployment, and post-go-live transition activities.
- Act as the functional lead for medium to large Workday Payroll implementations, managing key solution decisions, risks, and dependencies.
- Advise clients on payroll processes, compliance requirements, controls, and payroll transformation initiatives.
- Partner with HCM, Benefits, Time Tracking, Absence, Integrations, Reporting, Security, Change Management, and Project Management teams to deliver integrated solutions.
- Work closely with integration teams to support interfaces with payroll providers, benefits vendors, and third-party applications.
- Support testing, payroll parallel runs, cutover, deployment, and hypercare activities throughout the project lifecycle.
- Mentor and coach consultants and senior consultants, providing quality reviews and functional leadership.
- Support business development activities including solutioning, estimations, proposals, demonstrations, and customer presentations.
- Contribute to practice development through methodology improvements, internal training, asset creation, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
- Maintain expertise in Workday Payroll functionality, legislative updates, industry trends, and product innovations.
Skills & Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
- Active Workday Payroll Certification preferred.
- 5+ years of Workday implementation experience, including multiple end-to-end Workday deployments.
- Proven experience leading Workday Payroll workstreams on medium to large implementations.
- Deep functional expertise in payroll processes, payroll operations, payroll compliance, earnings and deductions, payroll accounting, and payroll integrations.
- Experience gathering requirements, facilitating workshops, solution design, configuration, testing, payroll parallel runs, and deployment.
- Experience supporting pre-sales activities, including estimations, proposals, and solution presentations.
- Strong leadership, mentoring, stakeholder management, and consulting skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, including engagement with executive-level stakeholders.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced consulting environment.
Eligible for SC Clearance - you must have been a UK resident for the last five years and be legally entitled to work in the UK.
- Minimal travel required, but must be willing to travel on-site as needed.
- #LI-Remote
Why choose Cognizant
- Entrepreneurial environment that welcomes your ideas
- Opportunity to do great work
- Outreach programs that support communities and tap into your volunteer spirit
- Learning opportunities to help current needs and advancement
- Global operations, with opportunities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific
- An abundance of Affinity groups to meet your needs
Cognizant Core Values
Work as One
We think beyond roles, relying on each other’s strengths to win as a team.
Raise the Bar
We always aim for excellence in how we work and what we deliver.
Dare to Innovate
We push boundaries and take chances to reimagine what’s possible.
Do the Right Thing
We all lead with integrity and always make the ethical choice.
Own It
We own the outcomes for our company, colleagues, and community.
Workday Payroll Senior Principal Consultant in London employer: Collaborative Solutions
Cognizant is an exceptional employer that fosters an entrepreneurial environment, encouraging innovative ideas and collaboration among teams. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer extensive learning opportunities and mentorship, ensuring that our team members thrive in their careers. Located in the UK, our inclusive work culture promotes community engagement through outreach programs, making it a rewarding place to contribute meaningfully while advancing professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Workday Payroll Senior Principal Consultant in London
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Collaborative Solutions!
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Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Collaborative Solutions.
We think you need these skills to ace Workday Payroll Senior Principal Consultant in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Collaborative Solutions. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Collaborative Solutions and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Collaborative Solutions. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Collaborative Solutions's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Collaborative Solutions
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Collaborative Solutions.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Collaborative Solutions will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Collaborative Solutions and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
