Workday HCM Test Lead

WPP is embarking on a major 3-year transformation to simplify, modernise, and unify its technology platforms across the group. This change is critical to:

·       Enable cost-effective transformation and operational efficiency

·       Accelerate adoption of AI, data, and digital platforms

·       Ensure consistent delivery of value and benefits across all agencies and markets

·       Minimise disruption and maximise engagement during large-scale change

Workday is a cornerstone of this transformation, providing a single, modern system of record for people data and for driving efficiency through our operations and finance functions. By standardising core processes, improving data quality and enabling better insights, Workday supports consistent ways of working, stronger governance and future‑ready capabilities, while creating the foundation for scalable change, automation and AI‑enabled decision making across WPP.

We are looking for a Workday HCM and Integrations Test Lead to join the Workday Services Team providing full test and release/tenant management to all parts of the Workday programme in WPP, including projects, rollouts, upgrades & BAU releases. In the Workday test team, you will define test approach, test scope, plan, and estimates, create test concepts, support in test design, test case creation, test automation, test execution and reporting on test progress and quality status for several projects including country rollouts as well as BAU enhancements.

In this role you will be a member of the Global QA Hub, working within the Workday Team, and reporting to the Workday Test & Release Manager.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead the entire project starting from scope, planning, execution, support, and closure of the project in Testing (HCM & Integrations).
• Performing risk assessments and producing Test documentation e.g., test approaches, test plans, test cases, test scripts, and other related items.
• Preparing and executing Testing for Project & BAU fixes/changes, to ensure they are completed in accordance with the Global Test Strategy.
• Ensure that reporting and communication of plans, progress and issues is delivered in a timely and effective manner.
• Developing, executing & maintaining manual scripts in the existing tool.
• Responsible for entire E2E testing life cycle of the country rollout / BAU – for the entry and exit checklist of Unit Test, SIT/E2E, Regression and UAT until the Sign off each phase.
• Own end-to-end test strategy, planning, governance, and stakeholder communication across projects and BAU.
• Oversee automation strategy, ensuring implementation by QA teams while governing standards, coverage, and quality.
• Accountable for maintaining up to date testing documentation.
• Safeguard global standards and principles against competing requests and priorities.
• Working with 3^rd party teams to ensure testing is delivered correctly and on time.
• Setting up Jira/Zephyr for project & BAU testing activities.
• Able to communicate complex issues in a digestible form (to both business & technical teams).

What you'll need:

• Experience of Workday HCM functional areas including integration to external systems (including payroll integration, Workday Prism Analytics, Reporting & Security testing) is mandatory.
• Experience of data validation across Workday modules working with different Op Co's.
• Experience of Testing throughout the full SDLC (management & execution).
• Ability to clearly report status and highlight risks.
• Working knowledge of test management tools (Jira, Zephyr is preferred).
• Excellent technical understanding of SAAS ERP platforms and processes.
• Development and maintenance of test automation tools.
• Manage multiple streams of work simultaneously and prioritize effectively.
• Working alongside outsourced resources and teams across different regions.
• Delivery focused, with high energy and drive.
• Strong risk awareness skills and management of risk
• Creative solutioning and strong problem-solving skills with agility for fast and simple solutions.
• Credibility, professionalism, and strong personal integrity.
• Ability to mentor new team members from wide and varied backgrounds.
• This role requires a balance of hands-on individual contribution alongside effective team management and leadership responsibilities.

Who you are: