Workday HCM Consultant

Job Description

The Senior HR Systems Consultant is responsible for the strategic support, enhancement, and optimisation of the organisation's core HR and payroll technology platforms, with a primary focus on Workday and ServiceNow HRSD.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the role leads the delivery of complex systems projects-including legislative updates, technical assurance activities, and process improvements-while driving automation and efficiency across HR and payroll operations.

With deep expertise in HR business processes and systems architecture, the consultant works closely with stakeholders at all levels, both locally and globally, to ensure solutions are fit for purpose, compliant, and scalable. This includes translating business requirements into robust technical designs, managing system implementations, overseeing data model development, and resolving high-impact incidents to maintain operational excellence.

What you'll be doing

• Project Planning & Delivery - Leads the planning, estimation, and delivery of (GBS) systems projects, contributing to the annual systems roadmap. Works with stakeholders to identify, prioritise, and scope business requirements, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and compliance obligations.
• Business Requirements & Solution Design - Engages with stakeholders to gather, challenge, and validate business requirements. Translates these into functional and technical specifications for Workday and ServiceNow HRSD, identifying process gaps and recommending scalable, compliant solutions that balance user needs with system capabilities.
• Systems Expertise & Knowledge Sharing - Acts as a subject matter expert across core HR systems, providing guidance and mentorship to junior team members. Promotes knowledge sharing across the HR function through informal training, documentation, and support, ensuring broader understanding of system capabilities and best practices.
• Global Collaboration - Works closely with global HR and IT teams, including overseas group functions, to align on system design, integration, and delivery. Shares expertise and contributes to the development of global standards and solutions that meet both local and international business needs.
• Process Optimisation & Automation - Drives continuous improvement by identifying and implementing enhancements to HR and payroll processes. Focuses on increasing automation, improving data quality, and expanding self-service functionality to deliver a more efficient and user-friendly experience.
• Innovation & Solution Development - Evaluates emerging technologies, system updates, and new functionality within Workday and ServiceNow. Benchmarks against industry trends and peer organisations to identify opportunities for innovation and future-proofing of HR systems.
• Solution Implementation & Testing - Leads the specification, configuration, testing, and deployment of system changes, upgrades, and new functionality. Defines testing strategies, executes test plans, and ensures robust documentation and change control processes are followed.
• Stakeholder Engagement - Builds and maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders across HR, Payroll, IT, and the wider business-including international teams. Ensures clear communication of system changes, project progress, and business impacts, while advocating for user needs and system integrity.
• Management Information & Reporting - Supports the development and delivery of HR and payroll reporting, including dashboards and analytics for local and group-level stakeholders. Where possible, implements automated and self-service reporting solutions to improve accessibility and reduce manual effort.

What you'll bring

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in a senior HR systems or consultancy role, with a proven track record of supporting and enhancing enterprise HR and payroll platforms.
• Strong background in HR and payroll processes, with hands-on experience in system configuration, process design, and solution delivery.
• Proficient in Workday and ServiceNow HRSD, with experience in system configuration, workflow design, and integration.
• Advanced skills in Oracle PL/SQL, including the use of published APIs, and the development of custom packages, procedures, and views.
• Strong understanding of data structures and expertise in reporting and analytics tools such as Oracle BI Publisher, Oracle APEX, XML Publisher, Microstrategy and Power BI for building dashboards, visualisations, and analytical reports.
• Experience with system integration methods, including file-based, XML, and database link interfaces.
• Practical experience across the full software development lifecycle (design, development, testing, implementation, and review).
• Familiarity with Agile, Rapid Application Development, and standard documentation techniques for requirements, processes, and testing.
• Experience in data model design, system testing (including UAT and regression), and release management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead HR systems projects, including workshops, process improvement sessions, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies and the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Highly analytical and solutions-focused, with the ability to interpret complex business needs and translate them into effective system solutions.
• Proactive in identifying opportunities for automation, efficiency, and improved user experience.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels, both locally and across global teams.
• Experience working with third-party vendors and service providers to deliver system enhancements and resolve technical issues.

Minimum Criteria

• Substantial experience in a senior HR systems or consultancy role, supporting enterprise HR and payroll platforms in a complex, multi-system environment.
• Proven track record of delivering HR and payroll systems projects, including implementations, upgrades, and compliance-driven initiatives.
• Working knowledge of Workday and ServiceNow HRSD, including system configuration and workflow management.
• Experience with data model design, system integration, and technical testing
• Ability to work in cross-functional projects, including stakeholder engagement, vendor management, and change delivery.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, including international teams.

What's in it for you

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy a number of other benefits. With our pension scheme, we'll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%.

At ScottishPower, we believe it's the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family's wellbeing, save for your future and take personal steps for climate action - our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world - today and tomorrow. That's why our benefits include:

• 36 days annual leave
• Holiday purchase - perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave
• Share Incentive Plan and Sharesave Scheme
• Payroll giving and charity matched funding
• Technology Vouchers - save more and spread the cost of your technology purposes
• Count us in - pledge to reduce carbon emissions and help fight climate change
• Electric Vehicle Schemes - to help you transition to green/clean driving
• Cycle to Work scheme and public transport season ticket loans
• Options to purchase dental insurance, private medical insurance, health cash plan and annual health assessments
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Access to 'nudge' financial wellbeing support
• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why ScottishPower

ScottishPower is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world's largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. With a commitment to generate all of our energy from renewable resources and a drive to create the energy infrastructure of the future, we're at the forefront of the journey to Net Zero and investing over £6m every working day to make this happen. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you'll fit right in.

Mobility

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country. If/when required, the Company will support the employee with the necessary Immigration requirements.