Senior Director, Workday Engagement – Higher Ed

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Act as the program executive and trusted advisor for Higher Education Workday projects, ideally at R1 institutions.

• Establish and nurture robust relationships with C-suite executives, including CIOs, CFOs, CHROs, and other key stakeholders.

• Collaborate with senior client stakeholders to ensure project goals align with institutional objectives and strategic priorities.

• Anticipate client challenges and proactively suggest solutions that enhance operational efficiency and deliver long-term value.

• Lead executive steering committees and governance discussions while offering strategic direction and status updates.

• Function as the senior escalation point for complex engagement, relationship, delivery, or governance challenges.

• In partnership with Huron Managing Directors/Principals, take on the role of Delivery Leader for extensive Workday transformation projects, including post-production support.

• Guarantee successful execution concerning scope, timeline, budget, quality, and client satisfaction metrics.

• Guide delivery teams through strategic decision-making, risk management, organizational change management, and issue resolution.

• Advocate for Huron's implementation methodologies, delivery standards, and leading practices in Higher Education.

• Oversee program financial performance, encompassing forecasts, margins, resource allocation, billing, and overall engagement health.

• Ensure delivery teams are held accountable for project results and client commitments.

• Act as a subject matter expert on Higher Education administration, operations, and technology-enabled transformation.

• Facilitate discussions at the executive level regarding Agentic AI, future operating models, and digital transformation strategies.

• Provide strategic insights on Workday roadmap alignment and institutional adoption strategies.

• Identify, nurture, and expand strategic client relationships.

• Collaborate with Managing Directors and leadership to implement account growth strategies.

• Lead sales initiatives, executive presentations, proposal development, pricing discussions, and contract negotiations.

• Recognize additional opportunities within Workday, Digital, Enterprise Transformation, and Managed Services offerings.

• Support alliance relationships and work with Workday sales and leadership teams to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

• Contribute to revenue growth through cross-selling, upselling, and proactive business development activities.

• Lead, mentor, and nurture Engagement Leaders, Project Managers, Directors, and consulting teams.

• Foster a high-performance culture centered on client success, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Coach future leaders in engagement management, executive communication, delivery excellence, and business development.

• Assist in recruiting, onboarding, professional development, and retention efforts across the Workday practice.

• Promote Huron's core values and leadership principles while developing future leaders for the practice.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Information Systems, Computer Science, Human Resources, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.

• Over 10 years of experience in consulting, information technology, enterprise software, or digital transformation leadership.

• More than 10 years of experience in leading complex enterprise application implementations and transformation initiatives.

• At least 10 years of experience collaborating with software vendors, alliance partners, and executive sales organizations.

• Prior experience with Workday implementation or within the Workday ecosystem.

• Previous consulting experience focused on HR, Finance, Student, Payroll, or Enterprise Transformation projects.

• Experience serving Higher Education institutions, including colleges, universities, research organizations, or academic health systems.

• Proven success in leading large-scale cloud ERP, HCM, Finance, or Student transformation initiatives.

• Experience with contract negotiations, alliance management, and complex sales pursuits.

• Demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted advisor to executive stakeholders.

• Strong financial acumen, including engagement forecasting, budgeting, pricing, and profitability management.

• Experience managing large, geographically dispersed, and matrixed project teams.

• Exceptional communication, facilitation, negotiation, and executive presentation skills.

• Proven ability to lead multiple projects and manage competing priorities simultaneously.

• Willingness and ability to travel as necessary.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• 401(k) plan with a generous employer match.

• Employee stock purchase plan.

• Generous Paid Time Off policy.

• Paid parental leave and adoption assistance.

• Wellness Program supporting employee well-being with free annual health screenings and coaching.