Data Lead, Workday

Data Lead, Workday
Sydney | Hybrid | Enterprise Transformation
We are partnering with a large, complex organisation on a major Workday transformation and are looking for an experienced Data Lead to own the end-to-end data strategy and technical data stream.
This is a senior role, but it is not a purely strategic or governance-focused position. We are looking for someone who can set the direction, influence senior stakeholders and lead the data workstream, while still being genuinely hands-on and technically strong across data architecture, migration, integration and the broader data technology environment.
The role You will take ownership of the data strategy for a major Workday implementation, working across business stakeholders, technology teams, architects and implementation partners.
You will be responsible for:

• Defining the overall data strategy and architecture for the Workday transformation
• Leading the technical data workstream across architecture, modelling, migration, integration and governance
• Designing logical and physical data models across Workday and connected enterprise systems
• Leading legacy data migration, including mapping, transformation, reconciliation and validation
• Guiding ETL and data integration approaches between legacy systems, Workday and downstream platforms
• Establishing data standards, governance frameworks, quality rules and stewardship processes
• Working closely with integration and engineering teams to design scalable and secure data flows
• Supporting reporting, analytics and broader enterprise data requirements
• Remaining hands-on across complex data mapping, validation, troubleshooting and quality issues
• Working with senior stakeholders to translate business requirements into practical technical solutions

What we are looking for You will ideally bring a combination of strategic leadership, Workday experience and strong technical data capability.
We are looking for:

• Significant experience leading complex enterprise data transformation or migration programs
• Strong experience across data architecture, modelling, ETL, integration and data governance
• Experience leading a technical data stream within a large enterprise implementation
• Strong hands-on Workday experience, ideally across HCM, Payroll, Finance, Prism or related environments
• A strong understanding of modern data platforms and the wider data technology landscape
• The ability to remain technically close to delivery and confidently engage with engineers, architects and implementation partners
• Strong experience across data mapping, migration, reconciliation, validation and troubleshooting
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Experience translating complex business requirements into clear technical solutions

Experience within financial services, superannuation or wealth would be highly regarded.
Why this role? This is an opportunity to play a key role in a significant enterprise transformation where you will have genuine ownership of the data strategy and technical direction.
The role would suit someone who enjoys operating at both ends of the spectrum, setting the strategy and influencing senior stakeholders, while still being close enough to the technology to get into the detail when required.
If you are a senior data leader with strong Workday experience and the technical depth to remain hands-on, we would love to hear from you.