Principal, Product Executive Communications

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

Workday's Executive Communications team are the storytellers and strategic advisors behind some of the most important narratives in enterprise technology. We partner closely with senior leaders to shape clear, compelling stories that connect strategy, innovation, and culture—and help executives show up with clarity, authenticity, and purpose.
Our work spans the full spectrum of communications—from major company moments and leadership events to customer engagements and industry thought leadership. We don't just participate in the conversation about the future of work and AI. We help shape it.

About the Role

This is a role for someone who loves technology—and loves making it make sense. As a Principal, Product Executive Communications, you'll serve as the strategic communications partner to Workday's SVP, Product (Max Wessel)—a leader at the center of Workday's core HR, Finance and planning product strategy and vision for agentic HR and finance.

Max plays a pivotal role in shaping and articulating how Workday's product portfolio delivers value to customers, partners, industries, and the market at large. You'll help define and amplify his voice across internal and external audiences—translating complex product and AI narratives into clear, compelling stories that resonate.

You'll build an integrated communications platform that spans thought leadership, keynote content, internal messaging, and digital presence—and help prepare him for the moments that matter most, from product keynotes and company meetings to customer engagements, analyst briefings, and industry forums.

This role reports to Workday's Senior Director of Executive Communications and partners very closely with the internal communication lead for Product & Technology, as well as the executive communications leads for Workday’s President of Product & Technology, CTO, and CIO. There will also be essential collaboration with many other parts of the marketing organization including PR, AR, IR, thought leadership, social media, event marketing, and customer advocacy teams.

If you're genuinely excited about agentic AI, energized by technically complex ideas, want to be a prominent leader in building Workday’s innovation story, and desire working with a leader who is at the forefront of Workday's impact on the future of work, this role was built for you.

This is a senior individual contributor role that requires someone who leads through influence and craft—comfortable operating without a team beneath them, and skilled at driving outcomes through relationships, expertise, and exceptional execution.

About You

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted, strategic communications advisor to Workday's SVP, Product—helping shape and amplify his voice across internal and external audiences

• Develop and drive integrated executive communications plans that span internal and external channels—built collaboratively with key business stakeholders, tied to measurable outcomes, and continuously tracked and refined to ensure they effectively deliver on Workday's product strategy and messaging priorities

• Translate complex product strategy, AI innovation, and technology roadmap priorities into clear, compelling narratives for a wide range of audiences—from technical experts to business leaders and general audiences

• Build a passion and knowledge for Workday’s HR, Finance and Planning applications, and their unique impact on industries worldwide, including Workday’s vision for agentic HR and Finance

• Help simplify sophisticated concepts—including agentic AI, machine learning, and SaaS platform strategy—into messaging that is clear, relevant, and actionable for different audiences

• Write and develop a wide range of executive communications, including presentations, keynote content, speaking remarks, thought leadership blogs, and leadership messaging across channels

• Support major executive moments—including product keynotes, company meetings, town halls, customer events, analyst briefings, industry speaking opportunities, and executive conversations such as fireside chats and panel discussions

• Own the LinkedIn strategy and content program for Workday's SVP, Product—building a consistent cadence of timely, high-impact posts that reflect his voice, amplify key product and AI moments, and extend Workday's market narrative, developed in close partnership with Workday's social team

• Partner closely with executive leadership teams, chiefs of staff, and other key stakeholders to prepare the executive for high-impact communications moments

• Collaborate closely with Employee Communications, PR and AR, Product Marketing, Marketing, and Events teams to ensure alignment across Workday's narrative

• Partner with design teams to guide the development of compelling visuals and slides that enhance executive presentations and engage audiences

Basic Qualifications

• At least 15 years of experience in corporate communications, executive communications, or a related role within a technology company

• Demonstrated experience supporting senior product executives on communications strategy and messaging—both externally to the market and internally to a large organization

• Demonstrable, in-depth knowledge of AI concepts—including generative and agentic AI—and SaaS trends and innovations, beyond general technology knowledge

• Demonstrable ability to understand complex technology and translate it into compelling stories for a wide range of audiences, from technical experts to the general public

• Proven experience developing executive presentations, keynotes, and speaking engagements, including storyline development, script writing, and guiding visuals

• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, engaging narratives across a broad spectrum of multimedia channels

• Sophisticated, hands-on understanding of how, where, and why to use AI—with proven experience applying a range of tools to accelerate executive communications work and raise the quality of output

Other Qualifications

• Sound knowledge of AI's growing presence in the enterprise, including how AI will impact the future of SaaS and work itself

• Experience supporting product or technology leadership within an enterprise SaaS company

• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders and their teams

• Strong judgment, executive presence, and high emotional intelligence

• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, ambiguous briefs, and tight timelines in a fast-paced executive environment

• Data-minded and metrics-oriented, with experience building out reports and metrics-based programs for executive communications

• Experience collaborating across communications, marketing, and executive leadership teams

• Innovative mindset with a focus on improving how organizations communicate with and engage audiences

Workday Pay Transparency Statement

The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below.  Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits, please click here.

Primary Location: USA.CA.Pleasanton

 

Primary Location Base Pay Range: $175,000 USD - $262,600 USD

 

Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $147,800 USD - $262,600 USD

Our Approach to Flexible Work
 

With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in-office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

At Workday, we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive hiring experience where all candidates can fully demonstrate their skills. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point, please email [email protected].

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