Principal, contract manager

Company Overview

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

You will join the EMEA Commercial Legal team supporting UK and EMEA public sector customers. The team partners closely with Sales, Corporate Affairs, Compliance, Security, and Customer Success to enable compliant, scalable growth across central, regional and local government, higher education, social housing, and health.

About the Role

As Principal Contract Manager – Public Sector (UK & EMEA), you will be the senior contract lead for our public sector portfolio. You will combine deep knowledge of public sector frameworks and policy with hands‑on contract management and strategic deal support.

Responsibilities

• Design, run, and continuously improve contract management systems and processes for UK and EMEA public sector customers.
• Maintain accurate, searchable records for strategic contracts and frameworks, including risk, obligations, and renewal data and coordinate with compliance and audit teams.
• Identify, assess, and recommend participation in new frameworks and contract vehicles in UK and key EMEA markets and manage day‑to‑day engagement with UK public sector buying bodies (e.g. central government commercial agencies).
• Ensure full compliance with framework‑level obligations, including reporting, information returns, and audits.
• Help track emerging procurement policy (e.g. social value, sustainability, modern slavery, prompt payment) and their implications and lead cross‑functional work to implement new compliance and reporting processes and to evidence compliance.
• Lead end‑to‑end contract management of key UK public sector contracts (including the UK Government Matrix Contract for Workday).
• Support public sector growth across EMEA and put in place standardised processes and playbooks that support effective, compliant public sector sales in key EMEA markets while identifying and implementing best practices, tools, and guidance to strengthen public sector contract management across UK & EMEA.

Flex 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.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in contract management, commercial management, or similar, with significant focus on working with public sector contracts.
• Proven track record building and improving contract management systems and processes, including compliance and audit readiness.
• Strong understanding of UK public sector procurement and how policy translates into practical contractual and reporting requirements.
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience).
• Familiarity with themes such as social value, sustainability, wellbeing, modern slavery, and prompt payment, and experience embedding these into frameworks.