At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and improve our Core Financials environment in Workday.
- Company: Join Railpen, a leader in pension fund management with a community-focused mission.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, health insurance, and a rewarding pension scheme.
- Other info: Enjoy hybrid working and a supportive, collaborative team culture.
- Why this job: Combine finance expertise with system ownership to make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience with Workday Financials or similar systems and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
We’re looking for a Workday Finance Systems Specialist (known internally as a Workday Functional Specialist) to help own, support and continuously improve our Core Financials environment within Workday. Based in Darlington, this is a hybrid, permanent role. It’s a great opportunity for someone who enjoys combining finance knowledge with system ownership, and who wants to be the trusted expert others turn to when things need to be right.
Railpen is responsible for the safekeeping and investment of around £34 billion in assets and the administration of several pension schemes, including the Railways Pension Scheme, one of the UK's largest and longest established pension funds. Our heritage of looking after the pension needs of the rail industry and its employees gives us our name and our unique outlook on how we serve our members. Railpen takes a holistic view, focusing on how we serve members today and how we can positively impact the communities and the world they will retire into.
This role sits at the intersection of Finance, systems and controls, ensuring our general ledger, journals, allocations and finance structures are accurately configured and work as intended. You’ll play a key role in supporting month-end close, maintaining financial data integrity, and making sure Workday genuinely supports the needs of Finance and the wider organisation.
Key responsibilities include:
- Configuring and maintaining Workday finance components including ledgers, books, periods, projects and allocations
- Supporting Finance teams through month-end close, ensuring journals, revaluations and allocations are processed accurately and on time
- Managing finance calendars and ledger periods to ensure the system is ready for close
- Owning the integrity of core finance data structures such as chart of accounts, cost centres and companies
- Working closely with Accounting Operations, Financial Control and Financial Reporting to ensure system outputs align with accounting policy and reporting requirements
- Acting as a point of contact for troubleshooting ledger and journal issues, identifying root cause and implementing fixes
- Supporting testing, release cycles and post-deployment validation for Workday changes
- Maintaining clear documentation of configurations, data logic and finance data rules
- Supporting audit and financial control activity related to system data
While the focus is Core Financials, you’ll also develop a working knowledge of related Workday Finance areas to support resilience across the wider team. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.
We’re looking for someone who brings a strong mix of finance understanding and systems capability, and who enjoys working closely with stakeholders to make systems work better. You’re likely to bring:
- Experience working with Workday Financials or another complex finance / ERP system, in a systems, configuration or finance systems role
- A solid understanding of accounting principles, general ledger structures and journal processing
- Experience translating business or finance requirements into system configuration or rules
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with close attention to data accuracy and controls
- The confidence to work with Finance stakeholders, challenge constructively and explain system behaviour clearly
- A collaborative, accountable working style and comfort operating in a small, close-knit team
Our values of integrity, community and alignment are the guiding principles that influence our behaviour. They help us make decisions and shape our relationships with others. They’re what we stand for. You will actively demonstrate our values, helping to create a safe environment, to place the needs of the community above oneself and, through a culture of ‘fair challenge’, align to the best interests of our members.
What we can offer you:
- A competitive salary (depending on experience)
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Generous annual bonus plan
- Membership of the Railways Pension Scheme, a Defined Benefit arrangement under which you get a pension for life and a lump sum when you retire, based on your length of service and pay
- 4x Life Assurance cover
- Health & Wellbeing Private Medical Insurance
- Employee assistance programme
- Health cash plan
- Eye care vouchers
- Flu vaccination
- Hybrid and flexible working along with very generous family leave including 12 months full pay maternity leave and 6 months full pay paternity leave
- Buy and sell holidays
- Give as you earn scheme
- Paid volunteering days
- Flexible half days leave
- Electric vehicle leasing
- Cycle to work scheme
Please apply via the apply button or visit Careers by 5pm on Thursday 28th May 2026. Railpen is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment, we value diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Workday Functional Specialist - Core Financials in Darlington employer: Railpen
Railpen is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and growth of its employees, offering a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a robust benefits package including private medical insurance and a defined benefit pension scheme. With a strong commitment to community values and a collaborative work culture, employees are encouraged to thrive in a hybrid working environment while enjoying opportunities for professional development and meaningful contributions to the financial security of the rail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Workday Functional Specialist - Core Financials in Darlington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and systems space. You never know who might have a lead on a role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your Workday knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in finance systems before, and don’t forget to highlight your problem-solving skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your collaborative spirit! Employers love candidates who can work well with teams. Share examples of how you've worked closely with stakeholders to improve systems or processes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on roles that align with your values. Check out our website for opportunities that resonate with your passion for finance and community impact!
We think you need these skills to ace Workday Functional Specialist - Core Financials in Darlington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Workday Functional Specialist role. Highlight your experience with finance systems and any specific Workday knowledge you have. 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 your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention our values and how you embody them!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in finance systems before. We love seeing analytical thinking and problem-solving in action, so share those stories that highlight your expertise!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Railpen
✨Know Your Workday Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Workday Financials knowledge. Familiarise yourself with the core financial components like ledgers, journals, and allocations. Being able to discuss specific configurations or challenges you've faced in previous roles will show that you're not just familiar with the system but can also contribute to its improvement.
✨Demonstrate Your Finance Savvy
Since this role requires a solid understanding of accounting principles, be prepared to discuss how you've applied these in past experiences. Bring examples of how you've ensured data integrity during month-end close processes or how you've tackled journal processing issues. This will highlight your analytical skills and attention to detail.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific instances where you've identified root causes of issues and implemented effective solutions. Whether it’s troubleshooting ledger problems or ensuring compliance with accounting policies, demonstrating your proactive approach will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
This role involves working closely with various finance stakeholders, so be ready to discuss how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight your ability to challenge constructively and explain complex system behaviours clearly. This will show that you can be a trusted expert within the team.
