Workday Test Lead - Finance

Job Specification Test Lead

Programme: Workday Financials Implementation

Organisation: Headfirst

Overview

Headfirst is delivering a major transformation programme to implement Workday Financials, replacing legacy finance systems across the organisation.

This is a large-scale, complex implementation involving multiple system integrations, data migration, and full end-to-end validation of financial business processes across the record-to-report, procure-to-pay, and order-to-cash lifecycles, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, banking, and integrations with downstream and third-party systems.

We are seeking an experienced Test Lead to own and drive delivery across System Integration Testing (SIT), Regression, Data Migration, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) phases, ensuring a high-quality and low-risk implementation.

Role Purpose

The Test Lead will own the test strategy and lead a team of testers executing hands-on testing across Workday Financials and its integrated ecosystem. The role focuses on defining the test approach, managing test execution, and validating data integrity, system interfaces, and end-to-end financial business processes, working closely the Workday project team, and wider business stakeholders across the programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own the test strategy and test plans for the Workday Financials implementation
• Lead and coordinate a team of testers across SIT, Regression, Data Migration, and UAT phases
• Design and oversee execution of end-to-end test scenarios across Workday Financials and integrated internal and third-party systems
• Validate system integrations, including data flows, interfaces (e.g. EIBs, Workday Studio, Core Connectors), and dependencies
• Oversee API and interface testing using tools such as smart sheets and Jira
• Own execution of regression test packs covering core Finance business processes (GL, AP, AR, Fixed Assets, Banking, Procurement)
• Identify, assess, and communicate risks and impacts arising from defects or system changes to programme leadership
• Lead validation of data migration from legacy finance systems, including reconciliation, sampling, and discrepancy analysis
• Lead System Integration Testing (SIT) cycles, ensuring full end-to-end business process coverage
• Own the defect management process: triage, prioritisation, tracking, and retesting using defect management tools
• Work closely with Workday functional consultants, developers, integration teams, and third parties to support defect resolution
• Lead User Acceptance Testing (UAT), including defect triage, re-testing, and coordination with Finance business users
• Maintain clear, auditable test execution evidence and documentation, ensuring test governance standards are met
• Provide regular reporting on progress, defects, risks, and blockers to the Test Manager and programme stakeholders
• Collaborate effectively with Finance business analysts, process owners, and programme stakeholders
• Mentor and support less experienced testers within the team

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Test Lead delivering System Integration Testing (SIT) on ERP or Finance transformation programmes
• Hands-on experience testing Workday Financials (
• Experience working in integration-heavy, multi-system environments
• Ability to interpret and analyse JSON and XML data structures
• Experience in data migration testing and validation, including reconciliation and discrepancy analysis
• Strong defect management experience (e.g. JIRA, Azure DevOps)
• Experience defining test strategy, test plans, and leading test teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail and focus on quality
• Strong stakeholder management skills, comfortable engaging with senior Finance and programme stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience testing Workday Financials specifically (e.g. GL, AP, AR, Fixed Assets, Banking, Procurement, Expenses)
• Experience with Workday integration tools (EIB, Workday Studio, Core Connectors, PECI)
• Finance / accounting domain knowledge
• Experience working on large-scale ERP or finance transformation programmes
• Exposure to middleware or integration platforms
• Experience using Postman, SoapUI, or similar tools
• Workday certification(s) (e.g. Workday Financials Functional or Integration certification)

Working Style & Attributes

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced transformation environment
• Strong leader and communicator across both technical and business/finance teams
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and risk reduction
• Collaborative and proactive approach to problem-solving
• Able to manage and motivate a test team under tight deadlines