Principal, Program Manager (AI & ML)

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.

About the Team

Ignite your passion for innovation and transform finance with Workday's Finance AI (FinAI) Innovation Center team.

Join our team of data science (DS) and machine learning (ML) experts where we do more than build algorithms. We empower finance professionals to achieve remarkable things. We automate mundane tasks, freeing them to focus on high-impact activities. We unlock hidden patterns and deliver actionable insights that lead to improved financial forecasting, optimized resource prioritization, business process improvements, and significant cost reductions.

Work alongside hardworking experts who strive to make a tangible difference. Develop your skills in an evolving field while bridging the gap between technical and non-technical partners, ensuring everyone understands the transformative potential of AI.

This is an opportunity to be part of something truly special. Join us and become an architect of the future for finance.

About the Role

We are seeking an innovative Principal, Program Manager to accelerate our Finance AI transformation. You will be a catalyst for ensuring that our AI capabilities deliver maximum business impact. This high-impact role requires a strategic problem solver with a consistent record of leading complex programs and building strong partnerships across the business. The role will provide significant senior leadership visibility both within the Finance function (oCFO) and within Workday’s Product Organization, offering opportunities to shape our AI strategy and influence future business decisions.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Define and implement a comprehensive AI adoption strategy aligned with business objectives, aiming to increase AI adoption through targeted initiatives and measurable metrics.

• Identify, prioritize, and champion high-impact AI initiatives across the organization, leading at least four high-impact AI projects each year.

• Collaborate with business leaders, product management, and business technology team to implement AI solutions.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key business partners to drive AI adoption and enablement.

Program Management:

• Lead AI programs, ensuring successful delivery within scope, time, and budget.

• Develop and implement project plans, including resource allocation, risk management, and communication plans.

• Own the entire AI project lifecycle from inception to deployment and ongoing optimization.

• Measure and report on program performance and find opportunities for improvement.

AI Product Development:

• Partner with product management to evangelize AI features for development.

• Define business requirements for adoption of Workday product features and collaborate with partner teams for implementation.

• Ensure alignment between AI features and business needs, increasing return on investment.

• Lead the development and launch of AI-powered products and services.

AI Education and Enablement:

• Cultivate a Citizen Data Science empowered culture and promote the use of AI tools and techniques.

• Develop and implement an AI literacy program to empower the organization.

• Create and deliver training materials, workshops, and other educational resources.

About You

You are an innovator with a proven track record of driving AI adoption and delivering measurable business impact. Your passion for technology and ability to build high-performing teams are instrumental in your success. To