Program Manager Workday Financials

Synergies Plus Resources
Chicago, IL

Job Summary

We are seeking a domain-experienced Program Manager to lead the end-to-end

implementation of the Workday Financial Management system for a large, multi-business

enterprise.

This role requires deep, hands-on experience in enterprise finance systems with

progressive responsibility in roles such as Business Systems Analyst, Functional or

Technical Lead, or Product Manager before transitioning into program leadership. This is

not a generic program management role.

The Program Manager will be accountable for translating complex finance requirements

into executable program plans, leading cross-functional delivery with internal stakeholders

and a third-party Workday implementation partner, and ensuring the program delivers

measurable business outcomes aligned to business objectives.

What Makes This Role Different

This role requires first-hand experience designing, configuring, implementing, or owning

enterprise financial systems. Candidates must demonstrate a career progression within

finance systems delivery rather than purely project or program management. Success in

this role depends on the ability to challenge design decisions, validate finance workflows,

and lead informed trade-off discussions with Finance leadership and system integrators.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Finance Systems Ownership

Lead the end-to-end Workday Financials implementation, owning scope, outcomes, and

delivery accountability. Apply hands-on enterprise finance system knowledge to guide

solution design, sequencing, and execution decisions. Ensure finance business

requirements are accurately translated into system configuration and implementation

plans. Act as a trusted partner to Finance leadership rather than a delivery coordinator.

Stakeholder and Implementation Partner Leadership

Serve as the primary point of accountability across Finance, Accounting, FP&A,

Procurement, Tax, Internal Audit, and IT teams. Lead and govern the third-party Workday

system integrator, holding them accountable for design quality, delivery timelines, and

outcomes. Facilitate working sessions to review and validate functional design, data

models, integrations, and financial controls.

Planning, Execution, and Governance

Develop and manage the integrated program plan, including milestones, dependencies,and critical path. Build and manage resource and capacity models across internal teams

and external vendors. Own budget tracking, forecasts, and variance management. Drive

disciplined scope control, change management, and decision governance throughout the

program lifecycle.

Delivery Management and Tooling

Manage execution using JIRA for work tracking and Confluence for documentation,

governance artifacts, and decision logs. Oversee system integration testing, user

acceptance testing, parallel runs, cutover planning, and go-live readiness. Ensure data

migration, reconciliation, and financial reporting accuracy meet enterprise finance and

audit standards.

Executive Communication and Escalation

Provide clear, executive-ready program communications that translate technical and

financial complexity into actionable insights. Proactively escalate risks, design issues,

dependencies, and trade-offs with recommended options and impacts.

Required Qualifications (Non-Negotiable)

• 12+ years of experience delivering enterprise finance systems.

• Hands-on experience in at least one of the following roles within enterprise financial

systems delivery: Business Systems Analyst (Finance or ERP), Functional or

Technical Lead (ERP or Financial Systems), or Product Manager or Product Owner

for Finance Platforms.

• Demonstrated progression from hands-on system roles into program leadership.

Proven experience leading large-scale ERP or financial management system

implementations, with Workday strongly preferred. Systems experience may

include Workday Financial Management (preferred)

o Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP

o SAP S/4HANA Finance Cloud

o NetSuite ERP

o PeopleSoft Financials

• Strong understanding of enterprise finance domains including General Ledger,

Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Assets, Procurement, Financial

Reporting, internal and controls.

• Experience supporting SOX, audit, and internal control requirements within

financial systems.

• Experience operating in large, complex, multi-entity or global enterprise

environments. PMP, PgMP, SAFe, or equivalent program management certification.• Experience managing system integrators and third-party vendors. Hands-on

experience using JIRA, Confluence, and enterprise delivery tools.

• Executive Stakeholder Communication, Risk, Dependency, and Change

Management