At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead contract management for public sector projects and ensure compliance with regulations.
- Company: Join a Fortune 500 company shaping the future of work with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Flexible work options, professional growth opportunities, and a collaborative environment.
- Other info: Embrace a dynamic workplace that values integrity, empathy, and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the public sector while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in contract management with a focus on public sector experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Your work days are brighter here. We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul.
About the Team: You will join the EMEA Commercial Legal team supporting UK and EMEA public sector customers. The team partners closely with Sales, Corporate Affairs, Compliance, Security, and Customer Success to enable compliant, scalable growth across central, regional and local government, higher education, social housing, and health.
About the Role: As Principal Contract Manager – Public Sector (UK & EMEA), you will be the senior contract lead for our public sector portfolio. You will combine deep knowledge of public sector frameworks and policy with hands‑on contract management and strategic deal support.
What you’ll do:
- Design, run, and continuously improve contract management systems and processes for UK and EMEA public sector customers.
- Maintain accurate, searchable records for strategic contracts and frameworks, including risk, obligations, and renewal data and coordinate with compliance and audit teams.
- Identify, assess, and recommend participation in new frameworks and contract vehicles in UK and key EMEA markets and manage day‑to‑day engagement with UK public sector buying bodies (e.g. central government commercial agencies).
- Ensure full compliance with framework‑level obligations, including reporting, information returns, and audits.
- Help track emerging procurement policy (e.g. social value, sustainability, modern slavery, prompt payment) and their implications and lead cross‑functional work to implement new compliance and reporting processes and to evidence compliance.
- Lead end‑to‑end contract management of key UK public sector contracts (including the UK Government Matrix Contract for Workday).
- Support public sector growth across EMEA and put in place standardised processes and playbooks that support effective, compliant public sector sales in key EMEA markets while identifying and implementing best practices, tools, and guidance to strengthen public sector contract management across UK & EMEA.
About You: Basic Qualifications: 7+ years of experience in contract management, commercial management, or similar, with significant focus on working with public sector contracts. Proven track record building and improving contract management systems and processes, including compliance and audit readiness. Strong understanding of UK public sector procurement and how policy translates into practical contractual and reporting requirements.
Other Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience). Familiarity with themes such as social value, sustainability, wellbeing, modern slavery, and prompt payment, and experience embedding these into frameworks.
Our Approach to Flexible Work: With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in-office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together.
At Workday, we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive hiring experience where all candidates can fully demonstrate their skills. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point, please email accommodations@workday.com.
At Workday, we value our candidates’ privacy and data security. Workday will never ask candidates to apply to jobs through websites that are not Workday Careers. Please be aware of sites that may ask for you to input your data in connection with a job posting that appears to be from Workday but is not. In addition, Workday will never ask candidates to pay a recruiting fee, or pay for consulting or coaching services, in order to apply for a job at Workday.
Principal, Contract Manager in London employer: Workday
At Workday, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant work culture that champions integrity, empathy, and collaboration. As a leading AI platform in the heart of the UK, we offer our employees not only competitive benefits and flexible work arrangements but also abundant opportunities for personal and professional growth. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and supports you in making a meaningful impact in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal, Contract Manager in London
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Workday looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal, Contract Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Workday. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Workday
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Workday’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
