Enterprise Architect - HR Transformation/Workday/Global

Enterprise Architect - HR Transformation/Workday/Global

Inside IR35 | £625 per day | Hybrid (Reading 1-2 days per week) | 6-Month Contract (+ extensions)

We're supporting a large-scale international HR technology transformation programme and are looking for an experienced Enterprise Architect with deep HR domain expertise to provide interim leadership as a key architecture lead transitions out of the business.

This is a high-profile opportunity to step into a strategic role at a pivotal stage of a multi-country transformation programme centred around Workday, payroll modernisation, and wider People & Culture change.

The Opportunity:

You'll provide architectural leadership across a major HR transformation programme spanning 16+ countries. The programme is currently in its analysis phase and will move into planning and delivery ahead of implementation.

Acting as the senior architectural authority for HR and People systems, you'll bring clarity, governance, and direction while ensuring both business and technology stakeholders remain aligned throughout the transformation journey.

What You'll Be Doing:

Lead the HR Transformation Architecture

• Provide strategic architectural oversight for a complex HR and Workday transformation programme
• Guide programme teams through analysis, planning, and delivery phases
• Shape architectural direction, roadmap decisions, and key design outcomes
• Bring practical experience and lessons learned from previous Workday or large-scale HR system transformations

Provide Enterprise-Level Governance:

• Act as the architectural authority across the programme
• Establish and uphold effective architecture governance and decision-making processes
• Challenge and influence system integrators and delivery partners where required
• Ensure architecture standards, principles, and controls are understood and followed
• Build credibility across both technology and business leadership teams

What We're Looking For:

• Proven experience operating at Enterprise Architect level
• Strong background within HR/People & Culture domains
• Experience leading architecture across large business transformation programmes
• Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders
• Strong governance, assurance, and architectural leadership capabilities
• Gravitas, credibility, and the confidence to provide constructive challenge
• Previous Workday transformation or implementation experience
• Experience acting as a Domain Architect or Enterprise Architect for HR platforms
• Exposure to global or multi-country HR transformation programmes
• Payroll transformation experience

Contract Details:

• Start: ASAP
• Duration: Initial 6 months, contracted in 3-month increments (with further extensions)
• Location: Hybrid, typically 1-2 days per week in Reading
• Rate: £650 per day (Inside IR35)