Workday Financials Test Lead

Workday Financials Implementation Project Contract / Fixed Term Atlanta (Onsite 2 days a week and 3 days remote) Overview Headfirst is delivering a major transformation programme to implement Workday Financials, replacing legacy finance systems across the organization. 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