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Senior Associate Executive Search

Pleasanton, CA
Full-Time

Job Description

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

As a Senior Associate on the Executive Talent Acquisition team at Workday, you will be a critical driver of our executive search strategy. You'll move beyond transactional recruiting to become a strategic partner, responsible for identifying, engaging, and securing top-tier executive talent (VP+) who will shape the future of our company. You will focus on building robust pipelines for active searches and proactively developing our succession bench, ensuring we have a continuous flow of world-class leaders aligned with our corporate strategy and growth initiatives

About the Role

  • Lead the search strategy: Partner directly with executive stakeholders to define the ideal candidate profile and make data-driven recommendations for target companies and skillsets. Your deep market insights and competitive intelligence will inform and guide every search from its inception.

  • Elevate search execution: Own the end-to-end search identification process, from detailed market mapping and strategic outreach to expert screening and compelling candidate presentations. You will set a new standard for excellence in every phase.

  • Build the leadership pipeline: Actively engage with and cultivate relationships with a network of top-tier executive talent. You will proactively identify and recommend high-impact leaders for future opportunities, ensuring a strong and ready talent pipeline.

  • Deliver impactful market intelligence: Go beyond the resume. You will gather and synthesize critical market insights on compensation, industry trends, and the competitive landscape to provide our leadership team with a strategic advantage.

  • Provide strategic counsel: Serve as a trusted advisor to hiring teams, guiding them through every stage of the search process. You'll provide thoughtful, data-backed counsel that influences decisions and drives successful outcomes.

  • Champion the Workday brand: Act as a brand ambassador for Workday, embodying our values and culture in every interaction. You will ensure a high-touch, world-class experience for all candidates, regardless of outcome.

About You

Basic Qualifications
  • 7+ years of executive search experience, with a proven track record of successfully recruiting and closing VP-level and above candidates.
  • 2+ years of experience from a retained executive search firm, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex, global, and multi-business unit environments.
Other Qualifications
  • Strategic Acumen: You think strategically and operate with a high degree of autonomy.
  • Data-Driven Storyteller: You are highly analytical and skilled at translating complex data and insights into clear, influential narratives for senior leadership.
  • Consultative Partner: You have a history of building deep, consultative relationships with Recruiting Partners, senior executives and HR Business Partners, earning trust and credibility through your expertise.
  • Compensation Knowledge: You possess a solid understanding of executive compensation plans, strategies, and industry benchmarks.
  • Exceptional Execution: You are a highly organized, detail-oriented self-starter with a strong intellectual curiosity. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and have the ability to manage multiple priorities with speed and precision.
  • Global Mindset: You are a hands-on, can-do professional with a global mindset and a passion for identifying and connecting with the leaders who will shape the future of Workday.


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: $138,600 USD - $207,900 USD


Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $117,000 USD - $207,900 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.

Are you being referred to one of our roles? If so, ask your connection at Workday about our Employee Referral process!

At Workday, we value our candidates’ privacy and data security. Workday will never ask candidates to apply to jobs through websites that are not Workday Careers.

Please be aware of sites that may ask for you to input your data in connection with a job posting that appears to be from Workday but is not.

In addition, Workday will never ask candidates to pay a recruiting fee, or pay for consulting or coaching services, in order to apply for a job at Workday.

PDN-a039ef9e-3e93-4a22-92bb-f9842765dcc8

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

As a Senior Associate on the Executive Talent Acquisition team at Workday, you will be a critical driver of our executive search strategy. You'll move beyond transactional recruiting to become a strategic partner, responsible for identifying, engaging, and securing top-tier executive talent (VP+) who will shape the future of our company. You will focus on building robust pipelines for active searches and proactively developing our succession bench, ensuring we have a continuous flow of world-class leaders aligned with our corporate strategy and growth initiatives

About the Role

  • Lead the search strategy: Partner directly with executive stakeholders to define the ideal candidate profile and make data-driven recommendations for target companies and skillsets. Your deep market insights and competitive intelligence will inform and guide every search from its inception.

  • Elevate search execution: Own the end-to-end search identification process, from detailed market mapping and strategic outreach to expert screening and compelling candidate presentations. You will set a new standard for excellence in every phase.

  • Build the leadership pipeline: Actively engage with and cultivate relationships with a network of top-tier executive talent. You will proactively identify and recommend high-impact leaders for future opportunities, ensuring a strong and ready talent pipeline.

  • Deliver impactful market intelligence: Go beyond the resume. You will gather and synthesize critical market insights on compensation, industry trends, and the competitive landscape to provide our leadership team with a strategic advantage.

  • Provide strategic counsel: Serve as a trusted advisor to hiring teams, guiding them through every stage of the search process. You'll provide thoughtful, data-backed counsel that influences decisions and drives successful outcomes.

  • Champion the Workday brand: Act as a brand ambassador for Workday, embodying our values and culture in every interaction. You will ensure a high-touch, world-class experience for all candidates, regardless of outcome.

About You

Basic Qualifications
  • 7+ years of executive search experience, with a proven track record of successfully recruiting and closing VP-level and above candidates.
  • 2+ years of experience from a retained executive search firm, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex, global, and multi-business unit environments.
Other Qualifications
  • Strategic Acumen: You think strategically and operate with a high degree of autonomy.
  • Data-Driven Storyteller: You are highly analytical and skilled at translating complex data and insights into clear, influential narratives for senior leadership.
  • Consultative Partner: You have a history of building deep, consultative relationships with Recruiting Partners, senior executives and HR Business Partners, earning trust and credibility through your expertise.
  • Compensation Knowledge: You possess a solid understanding of executive compensation plans, strategies, and industry benchmarks.
  • Exceptional Execution: You are a highly organized, detail-oriented self-starter with a strong intellectual curiosity. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and have the ability to manage multiple priorities with speed and precision.
  • Global Mindset: You are a hands-on, can-do professional with a global mindset and a passion for identifying and connecting with the leaders who will shape the future of Workday.


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: $138,600 USD - $207,900 USD


Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $117,000 USD - $207,900 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.

Are you being referred to one of our roles? If so, ask your connection at Workday about our Employee Referral process!

At Workday, we value our candidates’ privacy and data security. Workday will never ask candidates to apply to jobs through websites that are not Workday Careers.

Please be aware of sites that may ask for you to input your data in connection with a job posting that appears to be from Workday but is not.

In addition, Workday will never ask candidates to pay a recruiting fee, or pay for consulting or coaching services, in order to apply for a job at Workday.

PDN-a039ef9e-3e93-4a22-92bb-f9842765dcc8

About Workday


“We believe a supportive and inclusive workplace, where everyone feels valued and included, is the key to great products, happy customers, and an enduring.”
Carin Taylor
Workday Chief Diversity Officer

Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance, HR, and planning. Founded in 2005, Workday delivers financial management, human capital management, and analytics applications designed for the world’s largest companies, educational institutions, and government agencies.

Value inclusion, belonging, and equity.™

Our approach to diversity is simple: it’s about embracing everyone. From cultivating a culture where all employees can bring their best selves to work to deploying diversity initiatives that support all, we’re doing what it takes to build a more equitable workplace and world.

Diversity isn’t just a business imperative. It’s core to everything we do.

Our commitment to building a more equitable world shines through in our everyday practices. We hire and develop a diverse workforce, cultivate our employee-first culture, shape corporate policies, and invest in underrepresented communities around the world. And we’re just getting started.


How we’re creating a workplace for all:

  • We’ve signed the White House Equal Pay Pledge.
  • We’ve put our name on the Business Statement for Transgender Equality.
  • We signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge.

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Senior Associate Executive Search
Workday
Pleasanton, CA
Oct 29, 2025
Full-time
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