Workday Payroll Senior Lead - Emerging Markets [Remote]

Join Kainos and Shape the Future 

At Kainos, we’re problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators - driven by a shared mission to create real impact. Whether we’re transforming digital services for millions, delivering cutting-edge Workday solutions, or pushing the boundaries of technology, we do it together.

We believe in a people-first culture , where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your contributions truly make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of a diverse, ambitious team that celebrates creativity and collaboration.

Ready to make your mark? Join us and be part of something bigger.

Role mission

Own the payroll delivery and enablement strategy for our Emerging Markets segment – small and mid-sized customers who are newer to Workday and have less complex needs than traditional enterprise clients – with an exclusive focus on Kainos’s accelerated Spark & Grow deployment methodology. Lead implementations, partner with Sales on scoping, and build the playbooks, templates, and accelerators that make delivery for this segment repeatable, scalable, and cost-effective. 

What you'll do — Delivery & client leadership

• Lead Workday Payroll implementations for small and mid-sized customers using Kainos’s rapid Spark & Grow methodology, guiding them from discovery through go-live with a focus on rapid, repeatable delivery and high customer satisfaction. 

• Configure complex payroll calculations; handle scenarios such as multiple positions and multiple FEINs; apply strong knowledge of Workday Payroll and interdependencies with Time Tracking, Absence, and Benefits. 

• Navigate regulatory and contractual complexity (e.g., tax, garnishments, Common Pay Master, retirement plans, union/CBAs, payroll accounting) across applicable markets. 

Sales partnership & scoping

• Partner with Sales on qualifying opportunities, running discovery, shaping the solution approach, and producing right-sized estimates/SOW inputs; participate in client-facing demos and orals. 

• Translate business needs into clear scope, assumptions, risks, and resourcing appropriate for compressed timelines and lean budgets, balancing outcomes with commercial considerations. 

Emerging-markets capability building

• Establish repeatable delivery by creating and maintaining localization checklists, configuration templates, testing packs, and knowledge articles tailored to smaller customers. 

• Codify best practices into accelerators that improve quality, predictability, ramp time, and cost-to-serve; measure adoption and iterate. 

Operating in Emerging Markets

• Manage ambitious timelines through pragmatic, MVP-first approaches, crisp decision logs, and time-boxed design. 

• Design creative, right-sized solutions that maximize delivered value within tight budget constraints (e.g., templated configurations, phased scope, standard integrations). 

Minimum qualifications

• 5+ years Workday Payroll implementation experience, including 3+ years leading end-to-end implementations recently with hands-on configuration; certification in at least one Workday Payroll country plus one additional Workday module. 

• Proven ability to build complex payroll calculations; experience with multiple positions and multiple FEINs. 

• Deep knowledge of Workday Payroll and interdependencies with Time Tracking, Absence, Benefits; solid understanding of tax/garnishments, Common Pay Master, retirement plans, CBAs/unions, payroll accounting. 

• Consulting toolkit: lead workshops, present to senior audiences, and guide design trade-offs under tight deadlines; strong commercial awareness and project fluency. 

Geography-specific fluency (as applicable)

• Canada : T4, RRSP, ROE, CPP. 

• U.S .: state/local taxes, FLSA calculations. 

Preferred qualifications

• Workday HCM / Payroll certifications 

• Professional qualifications in your area of expertise (Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)  

• Experience with post-deployment services/AMS and knowledge transfer. 

• Experience with Small and Medium Business market segments 

• Exposure to multi-country operating models and partner integrations in non-native Workday payroll contexts. 

Success measures

• 90 days: Segment playbook v1 (scope assumptions, estimate templates, testing packs) adopted on at least one project; first pursuits supported with clear estimates and risks. 

• 6 months: 2+ implementations delivered using the standard approach with measurable cycle-time and effort reductions; enablement rolled out to delivery teams. 

• 12 months: Standardized assets in broad use; predictable outcomes for smaller customers (e.g., improved estimate variance, faster time-to-value, higher CSAT/NPS). 

People management

Your role may or may not involve managing people. Where you do have direct reports your responsibilities may include:  

• Agreeing, setting and reviewing your and your team’s goals aligned to Kainos, Workday BU and your Capability  

• Providing support so that your and your team’s goals can be achieved  

• Reviewing and refining goals for relevance and to keep performance on track  

• Reviewing performance against goals and provide feedback  

• Conducting 1:1 monthly and/or project completion feedback meetings  

• Requesting and providing regular feedback in Workday  

• Completing End of Year reviews and agreeing the outcomes for the year  

• Identifying training to support your and your team’s development  

• Pursuing and supporting your and your team members’ career paths and progression  

• Reviewing weekly workload forecasting (staff allocations and timesheet checks) and utilization  

• Actively being involved in recruitment/interviews  

• Reviewing attrition and retention metrics  

**Embracing our differences  **  

At Kainos, we believe in the power of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that is as diverse as the world we live in, where everyone is valued, respected, and given an equal chance to thrive.   We actively seek out talented people from all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other characteristic that makes them who they are.   We also believe every candidate deserves a level playing field. 

Our friendly talent acquisition team is here to support you every step of the way, so if you require any accommodations or adjustments, we encourage you to reach out. 

We understand that everyone's journey is different, and by having a private conversation we can ensure that our recruitment process is tailored to your needs.