Principal HR Business Partner

Workday•Pleasanton, CA

7h•Hybrid

About The Position

Your work days are brighter here. We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too. About the Team At Workday, our People Business Partner (PBP) team advises and leads our most senior level organizations, enabling SVP+ leaders to operate at scale and amplify our values-driven, employee-first culture. You will join a global team of talented People Business Partners supporting our G&A functions, and you will lead the talent strategy for the Global Finance Organization, as the primary PBP to Workday’s Chief Financial Officer (EVP). About the Role We are looking for a Principal People Business Partner comfortable operating in a fast-paced, outcome-oriented environment. This individual needs to be collaborative, partnering closely with global PBPs in EMEA and APAC, particularly in India where the Finance organization has a growing population. Ultimately, we’re looking for a high-performing individual who has a bias for action and can operate with speed, balancing both strategic planning and execution of talent programs. In this role, success looks like: 1. Winning the trust of, and being an advisor to, the CFO and his leadership team. 2. Being a strong team player and collaborator among your PBP peers and CoEs. 3. Moving fast to accelerate execution of talent programs (compensation, talent assessment, etc.) and special projects (org effectiveness, transformation, etc.) 4. Having an employee-first and team-first approach. 5. Living our core value of Having fun. About You As a Principal People Business Partner, you will report to the PBP/OE Lead for G&A (Finance, Legal, and P&P). Your number one priority is to activate the ingredient that is at the center of Workday’s success – our people. More specifically, Workday People Business Partners are: Thought Partners: Proactively build trusting relationships, facilitate thoughtful dialogue, and think strategically to advise VP+ leaders on organizational decisions. Executive Coaches: Coach our VP/SVP/EVP leaders on all things related to their leadership mindset and approach. Problem Solvers: Identify and articulate problem statements leveraging Workday data. Develop and implement solutions in partnership with PBP colleagues and CoEs. Talent Strategists: Develop a Global Finance Talent Strategy and lead Talent Management initiatives to support that strategy (e.g. succession planning, leadership development). Business Partners: Think like a functional business leader, understand their business, and utilize a deep understanding of HR fundamentals to drive impactful people solutions.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in the HR function with, at least 8 years in a strategic (PBP) HRBP role
PBP experience partnering with SVP+ leaders, in a global capacity
An ability to work out of a Workday office at least 50% of the time.

Nice To Haves

A demonstrated track record of using AI to elevate your work, and a curiosity to be a first adopter in all things AI
A global mindset, understanding the need for cultural nuance in all that we do across the globe
Tolerance for ambiguity and adept at creating clarity among stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with the ability to break down complex concepts and confidently facilitate discussion, debate, and decision making

Responsibilities

Winning the trust of, and being an advisor to, the CFO and his leadership team.
Being a strong team player and collaborator among your PBP peers and CoEs.
Moving fast to accelerate execution of talent programs (compensation, talent assessment, etc.) and special projects (org effectiveness, transformation, etc.)
Having an employee-first and team-first approach.
Living our core value of Having fun.
Proactively build trusting relationships, facilitate thoughtful dialogue, and think strategically to advise VP+ leaders on organizational decisions.
Coach our VP/SVP/EVP leaders on all things related to their leadership mindset and approach.
Identify and articulate problem statements leveraging Workday data. Develop and implement solutions in partnership with PBP colleagues and CoEs.
Develop a Global Finance Talent Strategy and lead Talent Management initiatives to support that strategy (e.g. succession planning, leadership development).
Think like a functional business leader, understand their business, and utilize a deep understanding of HR fundamentals to drive impactful people solutions.