Workday Functional Architect (HCM / Financials)

The Functional Architect is a senior Workday expert who provides end-to-end strategic leadership, from solution design through implementation delivery. This individual plays a dual role across the sales and delivery lifecycle, acting as a trusted advisor during the pursuit phase and as the functional lead during deployment. In the sales process, the Functional Architect partners with pursuit teams to provide expert solution guidance, contributing to RFPs, RFIs, proposals, solution architecture, and overall delivery strategy. They ensure that proposed Workday solutions are scalable, fit-for-purpose, and aligned with client goals. For the opportunities they support and solution, the Functional Architect is expected to remain engaged through delivery, leading the functional solution and ensuring continuity between the sales and implementation phases. This role is accountable for the overall functional integrity of the solution, ensuring it meets client requirements while positioning customers for long-term success with minimal rework. Broad Workday product knowledge, deep implementation expertise, and experience with enterprise ERP solutions across various industries are critical to success in this role. Key Responsibilities: Partner with pursuit and sales teams throughout the business development lifecycle to provide expert solution guidance, contribute to RFPs/RFIs, and support proposal creation. Own and develop solution approaches, effort estimates, and budgetary assumptions aligned to customer requirements and opportunity strategy. Support and guide the transition from sales to delivery, ensuring continuity of design intent and solution integrity. Establish trusted advisor relationships with executive sponsors and senior business stakeholders, providing strategic guidance throughout the engagement lifecycle. Provide quality assurance oversight and thought leadership on in-flight implementations, contributing to project success and customer satisfaction. Collaborate cross-functionally with functional, technical, data, reporting, integration, security, testing, and change management teams to ensure cohesive solution delivery. Own the end-to-end functional solution architecture across the full project lifecycle, ensuring alignment with client business goals, Workday leading practices, scalability, and long-term maintainability. Provide functional leadership on multiple concurrent Workday implementations, overseeing the relevant functional domains within HCM or Financial Management. Drive and facilitate key client sessions, including Architect Workshops, Solution Reviews, and Design Confirmation Sessions, to ensure robust solution design and stakeholder alignment. Serve as the primary functional escalation point for Engagement Managers and project teams, driving issue resolution and maintaining project momentum. Promote and contribute to the continuous improvement of implementation methodologies, accelerators, and delivery tools, ensuring adherence to standardised delivery practices. Mentor and develop consultants and senior consultants by providing coaching, quality reviews, and opportunities for professional growth. Champion knowledge sharing across practices to foster innovation, consistency, and continuous improvement in solution delivery. Requirements: Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent professional experience. 7+ years of Workday, ERP, HCM, or Financial Management implementation experience, including multiple end-to-end deployments. Deep expertise within either Workday HCM or Workday Financial Management. Proven experience leading solution design on complex enterprise transformation programmes. Strong Workday implementation experience with a track record of delivering successful customer outcomes. Experience supporting pre-sales activities including solutioning, estimations, RFPs, RFIs, proposals, and customer presentations. Ability to work in a diverse, fast-paced environment and effectively collaborate across teams. Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously. Ability to identify delivery risks and develop effective mitigation strategies. Excellent communication, presentation, stakeholder management, and facilitation skills, including engagement with executive sponsors and C-level stakeholders. Experience mentoring consultants and driving delivery excellence across project teams. 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. Occasional travel may be required based on customer and business needs. #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.