Americas HCM & PATTS Director

Job description

Join Kainos and Shape the Future 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. Lead the strategy, delivery excellence, and capability growth for HCM and Payroll, Absence, Time Tracking & Scheduling (PATTS) across the Americas. This role elevates the quality, maturity, and impact of our Workday implementation services, ensuring our teams deliver consistently strong outcomes while operating with clarity, confidence, and a high advisory standard. While this role focuses on implementation delivery, close partnership with AMS is essential to ensure seamless client experiences and healthy transitions post‑go‑live. Strategic Delivery & Client Leadership Guide overall delivery strategy across HCM and PATTS, ensuring high‑quality execution, strong governance, and predictable outcomes. Bring a strategic, advisory mindset to complex client initiatives , helping shape solution direction, manage risks, and drive clarity in design decisions. Promote disciplined use of our standard delivery methodology across teams to ensure consistency and scalability. Partner with cross‑functional domains (Financials, Integrations, Security, Analytics) to ensure cohesive program execution. Maintain strong alignment with AMS to ensure expectations, handoffs, and support models are clearly understood and well‑orchestrated. Sales Partnership & Commercial Support Collaborate with Sales through qualification, discovery, solution shaping, and estimation. S upport client‑facing activities (demos, presentations , executive conversations) with a clear point of view on approach, scope, and delivery strategy. Translate client needs into clear delivery constructs , including scope boundaries, risks, and staffing recommendations. Work with the broader delivery team to maximize commercial viability of implementation approach and raise awareness of margins and profitability. Capability Building Across HCM & PATTS Develop and maintain delivery assets, accelerators, templates, and best‑practice frameworks. Build repeatable patterns across discovery, design, testing, deployment, and cutover. Drive a culture of continuous improvement and shared learning across both HCM and PATTS communities. Drive a culture of strategic advisory into Kainos’ Workday implementation approach , including proactively identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement. Americas Operating Model Scale delivery across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America while accounting for regional regulatory and operational nuances. Promote pragmatic, MVP‑oriented solutioning that aligns with varying levels of client maturity. Maintain a strong customer‑experience lens across all engagements. People Leadership & Team Management Lead HCM and PATTS delivery teams with a focus on coaching, capability growth, and long‑term professional development. Manage staffing, onboarding, performance management, and forecasting across the portfolio. Champion recruitment, retention, and culture efforts. Ensure teams feel supported, empowered, and connected to the broader delivery mission. Minimum Qualifications 7+ years leading complex HR and/or workforce‑related implementations or programs. Strong consulting skills including facilitation, stakeholder communication, advisory capability, and problem‑solving. Understanding of regulatory areas such as payroll compliance, labor rules, leave administration, and scheduling standards. Demonstrated experience leading in a strategic advisory environment. Demonstrated ability to lead and grow multi‑disciplinary teams. Preferred Qualifications Experience with Workday HCM and/or PATTS (certifications highly valued). Experience developing delivery methodologies, playbooks, or team capability programs. Exposure to multi‑ country operating models and post‑deployment support models. Relevant professional designations (e.g., Payroll Org, HR certifications) Embracing our differences 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.