Workday Benefits Principal Consultant

The Workday Benefits Principal Consultant is a senior functional consultant responsible for leading the design, configuration, and delivery of Workday Benefits solutions. Acting as a trusted advisor, this individual helps organisations optimise their benefits strategies and administration processes while ensuring solutions align with business objectives and Workday leading practices. The Principal Consultant combines deep Benefits expertise with delivery leadership, pre-sales support, and mentoring responsibilities. They work closely with clients to design scalable benefits solutions, lead complex project workstreams, and support the growth of the Workday practice through knowledge sharing and thought leadership. Responsibilities: Serve as a Workday Benefits subject matter expert, providing guidance on benefits strategy, administration, and Workday best practices. Lead client workshops and design sessions to define Workday Benefits solutions aligned to business requirements. Design and configure Workday Benefits functionality, including eligibility rules, benefit plans, enrolment events, life events, rates, credits, and carrier integrations. Advise clients on benefits programme design, compliance considerations, and process optimisation. Lead Benefits workstreams on medium to large Workday implementations, managing solution decisions, risks, and dependencies. Partner with HCM, Compensation, Payroll, Talent, Reporting, Security, Integrations, and Change Management teams to deliver integrated solutions. Support testing, deployment, cutover, and post-go-live transition activities. Provide guidance on open enrolment, benefits administration, employee self-service, and ongoing operational processes. Mentor consultants and analysts, providing coaching, quality reviews, and functional leadership. Support business development activities including solutioning, estimations, proposals, demonstrations, and customer presentations. Contribute to practice development through internal training, asset creation, methodology enhancements, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Maintain expertise in Workday Benefits functionality, regulatory requirements, and industry trends. Skills & Requirements: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Active Workday Benefits Certification required. Additional Workday certifications in HCM, Compensation, Payroll, or Absence are desirable. 5+ years of Workday implementation experience. Proven experience leading Workday Benefits workstreams on end-to-end implementations. Deep functional expertise in benefits administration, eligibility management, enrolment processes, life events, benefit plan design, and employee self-service. Experience gathering requirements, facilitating workshops, solution design, configuration, testing, and deployment. Experience supporting pre-sales activities including estimations, proposals, and solution presentations. Strong consulting, stakeholder management, facilitation, and communication skills. Ability to mentor team members and provide functional leadership across projects. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced consulting environment. Eligible for SC Clearance - you must have been a UK resident for the last five years and be legally entitled to work in the UK. Minimal travel required, but must be willing to travel on-site as needed. #LI-Remote Why choose Cognizant: Entrepreneurial environment that welcomes your ideas Opportunity to do great work Outreach programs that support communities and tap into your volunteer spirit Learning opportunities to help current needs and advancement Global operations, with opportunities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific An abundance of Affinity groups to meet your needs Cognizant Core Values: Work as One: We think beyond roles, relying on each other’s strengths to win as a team. Raise the Bar: We always aim for excellence in how we work and what we deliver. Dare to Innovate: We push boundaries and take chances to reimagine what’s possible. Do the Right Thing: We all lead with integrity and always make the ethical choice. Own It: We own the outcomes for our company, colleagues, and community.