Strategic HR Project Lead

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. The minute you join, you'll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We're in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. 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. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you've found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Team
The Strategic Planning & PMO team is the connective tissue that keeps People & Purpose (P&P) running at its best. We are responsible for full portfolio oversight-from daily operational coordination to annual strategic roadmap planning-and we serve as the go-to project managers for P&P's largest, most complex initiatives. We collaborate closely to solve complex challenges, share expertise, and support one another as a high-impact group committed to driving operational excellence and building a world-class HR PMO.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly versatile and experienced Senior Principal, Strategic Initiatives to play a pivotal role in driving strategic, cross-functional initiatives across the full Workday enterprise. In this role, you are more than a coordinator; you are a central leader and Executive Delegate empowered by sponsors to act as a neutral lead for high-stakes, undefined, or emergent work. You will guide diverse project teams to achieve ambitious objectives, ensure absolute alignment across global stakeholders, and break deadlocks where functional silos exist.

This position demands a proactive leader who can navigate complex organizational landscapes, provide high-level strategic counsel to senior executives, and anticipate macro-level risks before they impact the business. You will be instrumental in providing flexible support across a dynamic portfolio-shifting seamlessly from upfront structuring and defining the "how" and "why" to managing complex initiatives through their full lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deliver high-impact initiatives: Bring clarity and structure to undefined work; lead the design, planning, and end-to-end delivery of P&P's most complex, business-emergent programs.
• Provide strategic, neutral leadership: Serve as a trusted partner to senior and executive leaders, acting as a neutral project lead who focuses on enterprise outcomes and can help drive critical-path decisions when alignment is tough.
• Build frameworks and governance: Establish program structures, operating rhythms, and clear escalation pathways from the ground up to ensure team clarity and accountability.
• Align teams and manage risk: Coordinate across P&P and Workday to drive efficiency; proactively identify risks and execute mitigation plans.
• Lead stakeholder communication: Build strong executive relationships and clearly report program health and outcomes to facilitate decision-making.

About You

Basic Qualifications

• Experience: 12+ years of progressive program leadership driving large-scale enterprise initiatives.
• HR Domain Knowledge: Significant expertise in HR processes and priorities.

Other Qualifications

• Executive Presence: Ability to build rapport with and challenge Executive Sponsors in ambiguous environments.
• Objective Ownership: Proven ability to prioritize enterprise or P&P value over functional interests.
• Strategic Alignment & Systems Thinking: Mastery at identifying interconnections
• Proactive Risk & Issue Management: Strong instinct for anticipating challenges & keeping programs on course.
• Cross-Functional Accountability: Skilled at aligning departments and holding senior leaders accountable.
• Executive Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to distill complex information into clear, concise updates and recommendations tailored to executive audiences.

Workday Pay Transparency Statement

The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate's compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday's comprehensive benefits, please click here.

Primary Location: USA.CA.Pleasanton

Primary Location Base Pay Range: $207,300 USD - $310,900 USD

Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $175,000 USD - $310,900 USD

Additional Considerations:


If performed in Colorado, the pay range for this job is $184,200 - $276,400 USD based on min and max pay range for that role if performed in CO.

The application deadline for this role is the same as the posting end date stated as below:

07/10/2026

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. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.

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