Senior Associate Executive Search

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

As a Senior Associate on the Executive Talent Acquisition team at Workday, you will be a critical driver of our executive search strategy. You'll move beyond transactional recruiting to become a strategic partner, responsible for identifying, engaging, and securing top-tier executive talent (VP+) who will shape the future of our company. You will focus on building robust pipelines for active searches and proactively developing our succession bench, ensuring we have a continuous flow of world-class leaders aligned with our corporate strategy and growth initiatives

About the Role

• Lead the search strategy: Partner directly with executive stakeholders to define the ideal candidate profile and make data-driven recommendations for target companies and skillsets. Your deep market insights and competitive intelligence will inform and guide every search from its inception.

• Elevate search execution: Own the end-to-end search identification process, from detailed market mapping and strategic outreach to expert screening and compelling candidate presentations. You will set a new standard for excellence in every phase.

• Build the leadership pipeline: Actively engage with and cultivate relationships with a network of top-tier executive talent. You will proactively identify and recommend high-impact leaders for future opportunities, ensuring a strong and ready talent pipeline.

• Deliver impactful market intelligence: Go beyond the resume. You will gather and synthesize critical market insights on compensation, industry trends, and the competitive landscape to provide our leadership team with a strategic advantage.

• Provide strategic counsel: Serve as a trusted advisor to hiring teams, guiding them through every stage of the search process. You'll provide thoughtful, data-backed counsel that influences decisions and drives successful outcomes.

• Champion the Workday brand: Act as a brand ambassador for Workday, embodying our values and culture in every interaction. You will ensure a high-touch, world-class experience for all candidates, regardless of outcome.

About You

Basic Qualifications

• 7+ years of executive search experience, with a proven track record of successfully recruiting and closing VP-level and above candidates.

• 2+ years of experience from a retained executive search firm, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex, global, and multi-business unit environments.

Other Qualifications

• Strategic Acumen: You think strategically and operate with a high degree of autonomy.

• Data-Driven Storyteller: You are highly analytical and skilled at translating complex data and insights into clear, influential narratives for senior leadership.

• Consultative Partner: You have a history of building deep, consultative relationships with Recruiting Partners, senior executives and HR Business Partners, earning trust and credibility through your expertise.

• Compensation Knowledge: You possess a solid understanding of executive compensation plans, strategies, and industry benchmarks.

• Exceptional Execution: You are a highly organized, detail-oriented self-starter with a strong intellectual curiosity. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and have the ability to manage multiple priorities with speed and precision.

• Global Mindset: You are a hands-on, can-do professional with a global mindset and a passion for identifying and connecting with the leaders who will shape t