Workday Adaptive Planning Lead Consultant

At Kainos, we’re problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators - driven by a shared mission to create real impact. Whether we’re transforming digital services for millions, delivering cutting-edge Workday solutions, or pushing the boundaries of technology, we do it together.

We believe in a people-first culture, where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your contributions truly make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of a diverse, ambitious team that celebrates creativity and collaboration.

Ready to make your mark? Join us and be part of something bigger.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE BUSINESS:
As an Adaptive Planning Consultant (Consultant), you’ll work in a team or independently helping our clients transform their business planning needs (budgeting, revenue, personnel, KPIs, quotas/capacity, territories, reporting & analytics) with the Workday Adaptive Planning Business Planning Cloud. You will work as part of a delivery team responsible for implementations for customers of all size, across multiple industries. You will be a specialist within your field, providing mentoring and oversight to more junior team members.
You will be responsible for:
• Providing expertise on the Workday Adaptive Planning solution – you will be expected to maintain proficiency and certification in the Workday Adaptive Planning solution suite
• Leading implementations for our clients – you will lead all phases of Workday Adaptive Planning implementation projects, including:
o Working with clients to understand their current planning process, and take a consultative approach to move legacy models into Workday Adaptive Planning
o Leveraging your expertise to recommend the best solution based on the client’s requirements, budget, and timeframe, with the flexibility to adapt the scope as additional needs are identified
o Guiding clients through facilitated design sessions and configuration decisions based on best practices and an understanding of each client’s unique business requirements at all stages of the project
o Developing and configuring accurate forecasting and planning models in Workday Adaptive Planning to meet clients’ business needs
o Planning and conducting training sessions for users
o Documenting the planning models and reporting delivered to clients
o Ensuring rapid time to value through delivering engagements on time and budget
• Supporting our clients to ensure success – you will communicate regularly, concisely, and clearly with clients to set proper expectations to ensure client success. You will also provide general customer service and assistance and serve as the go-to resource on all project related inquiries.
• Collaborating internally – you will be sharing your learnings and problems solved with your colleagues.
• Supporting business development activity – you will support the sales process including the production of estimates for the delivery of work.
• Putting people first & developing others – you’ll manage, coach and develop a small number of staff, with a focus on managing employee performance and assisting in their career development
MINIMUM (ESSENTIAL) REQUIREMENTS:
• Comprehensive financial and/or management accounting experience, particularly budgeting, planning and management reporting
• Experience of designing and building complex financial planning models, with advanced Excel skills
• Ability to conceptualise a client’s business model and translate it into a working model in the software
• Strong communicator, able to communicate with customers and colleagues with impact, credibility and empathy, including in a remote working situation. Sound ability to formally present to senior Client audiences
• Broad business and technology understanding and a good awareness of industry trends within Financials and Enterprise Resource Planning
• We all work in teams here in Kainos – a proven ability of leading and working effectively within teams and alongside customers whilst helping to foster an inclusive culture
• A good understanding of project methodologies, how to manage to them and an appreciation of why and how they contribute to successful projects
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and make sensible decisions under pressure taking a balanced view of Customer demands and project commercials
• Strong consulting skills e.g. presenting, leading workshops, demonstrating, and explaining complex functionality or solutions to customers
• We are passionate about developing people – a demonstrated ability in managing, coaching and developing members of your team and wider community.
• Able to implement improvements in tools and/or processes to help the practice
• Able, if required, to travel to customer sites in the same region (minimal out of region travel may also be required)
DESIRABLE:
• Experience implementing at least one Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) system (e.g., Workday Adaptive Planning, Host Analytics, Anaplan, Oracle Hyperion)
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting or Business
• Qualified accountant (CIMA/ACA/ACCA) or a Part Qualified Accountant with strong industry experience
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT:
Your role may or may not involve managing people. Where you do have direct reports, your responsibilities may include:
• Agreeing, setting and reviewing your and your team’s goals aligned to Kainos, Workday BU and your Capability
• Providing support so that your and your team’s goals can be achieved
• Reviewing and refining goals for relevance and to keep performance on track
• Reviewing performance against goals and provide feedback
• Conducting 1:1 monthly and/or project completion feedback meetings
• Requesting and providing regular feedback in Workday
• Completing End of Year reviews and agreeing the outcomes for the year
• Identifying training to support your and your team’s development
• Pursuing and supporting you and your team members’ career paths and progression
• Reviewing weekly workload forecasting (staff allocations and timesheet checks) and utilisation
• Actively being involved in recruitment/interviews
• Reviewing attrition and retention metrics

At Kainos, we believe in the power of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that is as diverse as the world we live in, where everyone is valued, respected, and given an equal chance to thrive.   We actively seek out talented people from all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other characteristic that makes them who they are.   We also believe every candidate deserves a level playing field. 

Our friendly talent acquisition team is here to support you every step of the way, so if you require any accommodations or adjustments, we encourage you to reach out. 

We understand that everyone's journey is different, and by having a private conversation we can ensure that our recruitment process is tailored to your needs.