Workday Optimisation Lead

Workday Optimisation Lead (Contract, Norway) This contract role is based in Norway, ideally Oslo. Barden is working with a global organisation to hire a Workday Optimisation Lead for an approximately 12-month engagement. Workday is already live, but the first implementation has not delivered everything the business needs. This is a chance to fix the foundations and set a clear plan for what comes next. You will assess the current set-up, decide what matters most, and lead the programme from mobilisation through to delivery, working closely with senior business, HR, and IT stakeholders. ABOUT THE ROLE

• Review the current Workday set-up and identify the biggest gaps and opportunities.
• Build the optimisation roadmap and agree priorities with senior stakeholders.
• Challenge existing processes and configuration where they are not serving the business.
• Lead mobilisation and support delivery of the agreed initiatives.
• Align business, HR, and IT on governance and delivery approach.
• Provide clear senior reporting and decision support.

ABOUT THE PERSON

• 10+ years’ Workday experience, including leading transformation and optimisation programmes.
• Deep expertise across Payroll, Time and Attendance, Contract-to-Retire, Recruit-to-Offer, and Security.
• Strong grounding in Position Management, Job Architecture, Compensation, Performance, and Employee Self-Service.
• Experience in complex international organisations, with manufacturing, robotics, or technology a plus.
• Ideally, you have improved or remediated a Workday implementation after go-live.
• Comfortable influencing at senior level, at Associate Director to Director standard.
• Workday certifications are welcome but not essential.

OTHER DETAILS

• Contract role of approximately 12 months, starting as soon as possible.
• Based in Norway, ideally Oslo, with attendance at the client site as required.
• Right to work in Norway is required.