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- Tasks: Lead and optimise the Workday platform, ensuring seamless support across HR, Finance, and more.
- Company: Join EMBL, a leading international research organisation with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid work, and comprehensive health insurance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: Experience in Workday implementation and team leadership required.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 57000 - 74000 £ per year.
EMBL is seeking an experienced and motivated Workday Team Leader to lead the delivery, optimisation, and ongoing support of the Workday platform across the organisation. As EMBL transitions to a full Workday platform by the end of 2026, this role will play a key part in ensuring Workday reliably supports HR, Finance, Payroll, Procurement, and related business processes across EMBL's complex international research environment.
The Workday Team Leader will manage a small team of in-house functional and technical specialists (currently a team of 4), as well as the relationship with and delivery of external Workday service providers. The Team Leader will serve as the primary liaison between stakeholders and technical Workday experts, ensure reliable and high-quality service delivery, and collaborate with the ERP Team and its Team Leader on the wider ERP landscape and system integrations. This is a PAN-EMBL role and will involve regular business travel between EMBL's six operational sites, supporting collaboration and consistency across locations.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Workday support and implementation team
- Set priorities, manage workload, and ensure timely delivery of services and projects
- Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and inclusive team culture
- Workday Platform Ownership
- Act as the overall owner of the Workday platform at EMBL and, in collaboration with the ERP Integrations and IT teams, oversee the Workday integration components of the broader system landscape
- Ensure stable operation, performance and IT security of the Workday application
- Oversee configuration, releases, testing, and deployment of Workday updates
- Develop, maintain, and execute business continuity plans to manage risk and ensure continuity of critical Workday services
- Business Partnership & Stakeholder Management
- Work closely with colleagues in HR, Finance, Payroll, and other stakeholders to understand business needs
- Translate organisational requirements into effective Workday solutions
- Serve as a trusted advisor on Workday best practices and capabilities
- Continuously assess Workday's evolving capabilities and shape EMBL's Workday roadmap, advising senior leadership on strategic direction and priorities
- Project & Change Management
- Lead Workday-related projects, enhancements, and module implementations
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with EMBL strategy
- Support change management activities, including the delivery of user adoption strategies
- Vendor & External Partner Management
- Manage relationships with Workday and external implementation or support partners
- Ensure service quality, contractual compliance, and cost effectiveness
- Governance, Compliance & Documentation
- Establish and maintain governance, standards, and documentation for Workday
- Ensure compliance with data protection, security, and audit requirements
- Support EMBL policies related to data privacy and internal controls
You have (Requirements)
- University degree in Information Systems, Business Administration, Human Resources, Finance, or a related field
- Workday certifications (e.g. HCM, Financial Management, Integrations)
- Several years of hands-on experience working as a project lead in implementing various Workday modules within an international multicultural context
- Proven experience leading teams or acting in a senior/lead Workday role for at least 5 years
- Strong understanding of business processes in HR and/or Finance
- Familiarity with agile or IT service management practices
- Experience working in an international and complex organisational environment
- Excellent communication skills in English
Key competencies
- Leadership and people management
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Stakeholder engagement and service orientation
- Ability to balance operational support with continuous improvement
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills
You might also have (Desirable)
- Experience in higher education, research organisations, or non-profit international institutions
- Knowledge of integrations, reporting, and security frameworks within Workday
- Working knowledge of German and/or French
Other helpful information
- Interviews: We plan to hold interviews on WC 20 April 2026.
- To apply, please submit a covering letter and CV via our online system. Applications will close on 13/02/2026.
Benefits and Contract Information
- Financial incentives: depending on circumstances, monthly family/marriage allowance of £278, monthly child allowance of £336 per child. Non-resident allowance up to £717 per month. Annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances.
- Hybrid working arrangements.
- Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover).
- Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to eight bank holidays.
- Relocation package including installation grant (as applicable).
- Campus life: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely).
- Family benefits: On-site nursery, child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances.
- Contract duration: This position is a 5-year contract renewable up to 9 years.
- Salary: Monthly salary starting at €6,659 after tax but excluding pension & insurances + benefits (Total package will be dependent on family circumstances).
- International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions.
- Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL-EBI, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ and individuals from all nationalities.
- Job location: This role is based in Hinxton, near Cambridge, UK. (CB10 1SA) You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas and you will receive a generous relocation package to support you.
Workday Team Leader in Saffron Walden employer: EMBL-EBI
Contact Detail:
EMBL-EBI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Workday Team Leader in Saffron Walden
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at EMBL on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research EMBL's Workday implementation and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with you. Focus on articulating your leadership style and how you’ve successfully managed teams in the past. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, shoot a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Workday Team Leader in Saffron Walden
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Workday Team Leader role. Highlight your experience with Workday and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills match 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. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Team Management Skills: Since this role involves leading a small team, be sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've mentored or developed team members in the past – we love to see that!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at EMBL-EBI
✨Know Your Workday Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Workday platform and its various modules. Familiarise yourself with recent updates and best practices, as well as how they apply to HR, Finance, and other business processes. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to take ownership of the platform.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Workday Team Leader, you'll need to lead and mentor a small team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on your ability to foster collaboration and inclusivity. Highlight any specific projects where you led a team to success, especially in an international context.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to discuss how you've effectively engaged with stakeholders in previous roles. Think about how you can translate organisational needs into effective Workday solutions. Prepare to share examples of how you've built strong relationships with colleagues in HR, Finance, and other departments.
✨Prepare for Change Management Questions
Change management is a key part of this role, so be prepared to discuss your experience in leading projects and managing change. Think about strategies you've used to ensure user adoption and how you've navigated challenges during transitions. This will show that you can handle the complexities of implementing Workday across multiple sites.
