Overview
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Job Details
Hello Professionals,
Job Description: Senior Client-Side Workday Implementation Lead (Project Management, Testing, and Change Management)
Position: Senior Client-Side Workday Implementation Lead
Client: Public Higher Education Institution (via Workday Professional Services)
Engagement: Long-term Contract (~30-35 hrs/week), Immediate Start through July 2026
Location: Remote
Company Overview:
ERPA is a leading provider of technology consulting services, subcontracted by Workday Professional Services to support a critical Workday HCM, Payroll, and Financials implementation for a public university in Florida. The client is transitioning from PeopleSoft and requires expert guidance to overcome resource constraints and get their stalled project back on track for a July 2026 go-live.
Role Summary:
We are seeking a highly versatile and seasoned Senior Implementation Lead to act as the primary client-side force multiplier. This individual will be a "player-coach," responsible for blending the core responsibilities of a Project Manager, a Test Execution Lead, and a Change Management Lead into a single, integrated role. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker who is also deeply hands-on, capable of driving the project plan while simultaneously leading testing efforts and ensuring user adoption.
Key Responsibilities:
This role is structured around three integrated pillars of responsibility:
- Project & Program Management:
- Act as the de facto Client-Side Project Manager, owning and driving the client's project plan in close collaboration with the Workday project lead.
- Manage workstreams, track deliverables, and ensure the client meets its internal obligations and deadlines.
- Identify, track, and mitigate project risks and issues, focusing on removing roadblocks that are stalling progress.
- Facilitate status meetings, report on progress to Workday and client leadership, and manage stakeholder expectations.
- End-to-End Test Execution Leadership:
- Develop, manage, and execute the end-to-end test strategy (including System Integration, User Acceptance, and Parallel Testing) on behalf of the client.
- Coordinate all client-side testing activities, including resource scheduling, environment readiness, and defect tracking and resolution.
- Serve as a hands-on test lead, potentially authoring test scripts, guiding client testers, and validating key functionality, especially in areas of rework.
- Ensure all testing milestones are met to keep the project on track for go-live.
- Integrated Change Management & Adoption:
- Develop and execute the client-side change management plan, based on the framework provided by Workday.
- Lead communication efforts to keep the broader university community informed and engaged.
- Coordinate and potentially deliver training to end-users and stakeholders.
- Conduct impact analyses and develop targeted strategies to manage resistance and drive user adoption for HCM, Payroll, and Financials.
Required Qualifications & Experience:
- 10+ years of combined experience in a project leadership role within HCM, Payroll, and/or Financials ERP implementations.
- Proven "player-coach" experience with a demonstrated ability to manage high-level project governance while being deeply hands-on with execution.
- Direct experience leading UAT and integrated testing for a large-scale ERP deployment; ability to develop test plans and manage defect resolution cycles.
- Formal change management experience, with a track record of creating and executing communication, training, and adoption strategies.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and lead without direct authority in a resource-constrained environment.
- Previous experience in Higher Education or State & Local Government is highly preferred.
- Experience with Workday and/or PeopleSoft is a significant advantage.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
You are a proactive, results-driven professional who thrives in a challenging environment where you must wear multiple hats. You are equally comfortable presenting a project status to executives as you are digging into a test script or crafting a user communication. You understand that the success of this role is measured by your ability to un-stall the project, bridge the client's resource gaps, and build momentum towards a successful go-live.
Regards,
Anthony. G