At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and optimise Workday General Ledger for accurate financial transactions.
- Company: Join Railpen, a leader in pension fund management with a community-focused mission.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and health benefits including a pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial processes while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with Workday in finance operations and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
We have an incredible opportunity for a Workday Functional Specialist (Core Financials) to join our Finance team on a permanent basis, based in Darlington (hybrid working).
Who we are
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.
The Role
We are looking for a Workday Functional Specialist (Core Financials) to manage the support and ongoing optimisation of the Workday General Ledger. This role supports the accuracy of financial transactions, period close processes, and the structural integrity of the ledger. In this role, you will maintain core Workday configuration across a number of functional areas, including Financial Accounting, Banking and Settlement and Projects. You will take control of the FDM and Account Posting Rules, to work collaboratively across teams ensuring end to end processes are supported with adequate and robust controls. Additionally, you will ensure that new configuration is appropriately tested and deployed, take part in release reviews, and support post-deployment validations to ensure system changes are successfully embedded and continuously optimised. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.
The Person
We are looking for someone with hands-on experience using Workday within a finance operations or systems support environment, who understands how financial data flows through processes such as journals and banking transactions. They will be able to analyse business needs, gather and interpret requirements, and translate these into accurate and effective Workday system configurations. This person will bring both technical capability and operational awareness, ensuring that system design aligns with real-world processes and supports the wider Finance functions. We are looking for someone who can act as the key interface between Finance Development technical support and Workday users, demonstrating exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships across a diverse stakeholder group. They will bring strong analytical and problem-solving capability, paired with attention to detail and a commitment to data accuracy. Clear, professional communication—both written and verbal—is essential, along with the ability to explain technical concepts in an accessible way. This person will thrive in a small, collaborative team environment, remain calm under pressure, and comfortably manage multiple priorities.
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
- 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
- Employee assistance programme
- Health cash plan
- Eye care vouchers
- Flu vaccination
Lifestyle
- Support for 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
Next Steps
Please apply for the apply button or visit Careers Page by 31st March 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 employer: Railpen
Contact Detail:
Railpen Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Workday Functional Specialist - Core Financials
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and Workday space. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral. Don’t be shy; we all love a good natter!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Railpen’s values and culture, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. We want to see you shine, so practice answering common questions and have some examples ready to showcase your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your Workday expertise! Be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve optimised financial processes or tackled challenges. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their hands-on experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Railpen. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Workday Functional Specialist - Core Financials
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Workday Functional Specialist role. Highlight your hands-on experience with Workday and any relevant financial operations skills. We want to see how your background aligns 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 Finance team. Be sure to mention your understanding of financial data flows and your problem-solving skills.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since clear communication is key, make sure your application reflects your ability to explain technical concepts in an accessible way. We love candidates who can break down complex ideas into simple terms, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Railpen
✨Know Your Workday Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Workday knowledge, especially around Core Financials. Familiarise yourself with the General Ledger, FDM, and Account Posting Rules. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the system but can also manage and optimise it effectively.
✨Understand the Financial Processes
Get a solid grasp of how financial data flows through processes like journals and banking transactions. Be prepared to explain how you’ve previously handled these processes and any challenges you faced. This will demonstrate your operational awareness and analytical skills.
✨Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills
Since this role involves acting as a key interface between technical support and users, highlight your experience in building collaborative relationships. Share examples of how you've communicated complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, showcasing your ability to bridge gaps.
✨Align with Their Values
Railpen values integrity, community, and alignment. Think about how you can demonstrate these values during your interview. Prepare examples from your past experiences that reflect these principles, showing that you’re not just a fit for the role but also for their culture.