Sr Director, Strategic Initiatives

Your work days are brighter here.

At Workday, it all began with a conversation over breakfast. When our founders met at a sunny California diner, they came up with an idea to revolutionize the enterprise software market. And when we began to rise, one thing that really set us apart was our culture. A culture which was driven by our value of putting our people first. And ever since, the happiness, development, and contribution of every Workmate is central to who we are. Our Workmates believe a healthy employee-centric, collaborative culture is the essential mix of ingredients for success in business. That’s why we look after our people, communities and the planet while still being profitable. Feel encouraged to shine, however that manifests: you don’t need to hide who you are. You can feel the energy and the passion, it's what makes us unique. Inspired to make a brighter work day for all and transform with us to the next stage of our growth journey? Bring your brightest version of you and have a brighter work day here.

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About the Team

At Workday, the Enterprise Planning & Performance team acts as the connective tissue linking all functions to work towards a shared set of priorities. We own the cycle of planning, executing, and analyzing company progress, translating high-level strategy into tangible actions, measurable results, and driving accountability. We are building this capability to support Workday, a newly minted S&P 500 company, through its next phase of growth. Our team embraces an agile mindset, evangelizes an AI-first, data-driven approach, and has a passion for continuous improvement.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Director to lead our Strategic Initiatives team. This is a critical executive leadership role responsible for ensuring the successful execution of Workday's most important and complex cross-functional initiatives. You will be accountable for the business outcomes of our largest strategic programs, from launching new ventures to steering at-risk projects back on track. You will lead a team of high-caliber execution leaders and partner with senior executives across the company to turn our most ambitious strategic goals into reality.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a high-performing team of Principals and Senior Managers, providing mentorship and guidance to drive the execution of a diverse portfolio of strategic initiatives.

• Take co-ownership of business outcomes for major company initiatives, supporting programs from initial launch to full-scale execution.

• Provide hands-on executive leadership for a portfolio of flagship initiatives, short-term task forces, and critical interventions.

• Drive "path to green" SWAT interventions for at-risk initiatives by identifying key blockers, driving resolution with stakeholders, and developing clear recovery plans.

• Manage senior executive relationships, ensuring cross-functional alignment between product, GTM, and financial targets to facilitate decision-making.

• Establish and monitor standards for initiative progress, outcomes, and risks across the portfolio.

• Oversee diverse initiative support models, ranging from launching new strategic programs to leading targeted interventions for critical business opportunities.

About You

Basic Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in corporate strategy, business operations, or program management.

• 10+ years of experience in Strategy Consulting and/or Strategic Finance.

• Extensive knowledge of enterprise software/SaaS industry strongly preferred.

Other Qualifications:

• Team Leadership: A track record of hiring, developing, and leading teams of versatile, high-impact program leaders and strategic thinkers.

• Executive Credibility & Influence: Proven experience building relationships with and influencing senior executive leaders on complex business chal