Functional Lead: Workday Security and Core at Absa · Johannesb…

Functional Lead: Workday Security and Core Location: Johannesburg Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time. With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group. Job Summary The Solution Architect: Core and Security is accountable for designing, configuring and governing scalable, secure and future-fit Human Capital technology solutions. This role is accountable for end-to-end solution design and configuration architecture and translates business and operating model requirements into robust, digitally enabled solutions across platforms such as Workday and ServiceNow, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture standards, security requirements, regulatory obligations, and best-in-class HR technology practices. The incumbent integrates with the Human Capital and Technology teams to ensure cohesive, secure, and optimised configuration of Core HCM and Security, multiple African jurisdictions. Job Description Key Focus Areas Core HCM and Security solution architecture Security architecture and role-based access governance Platform configuration and optimisation (Workday, ServiceNow and related ecosystems) Cross-platform integration and data integrity Digital enablement and automation of HR processes Architectural governance and standards compliance Continuous improvement and future capability enablement Key Accountabilities 1. Solution Architecture & Design (Core and Security) Design and implement scalable configuration solutions across Workday, ServiceNow and associated platforms in alignment with enterprise architecture principles. Translate business and operating model requirements into structured configuration architecture, ensuring traceability from strategy to system design. Develop logical and physical configuration models for Core HCM, Organisational Structures, Position Management, Supervisory Organisations, and Security frameworks. Define solution blueprints that balance standardisation with necessary localisation across multiple African regulatory environments. Ensure that all configurations support a strategic management operating model, enabling clarity of accountability, governance and reporting lines. Produce high-quality configuration documentation including design specifications, configuration workbooks, workflow diagrams, security matrices, and audit trails. 2. Security Architecture & Governance Design and maintain role-based security models that align with segregation of duties, financial services regulatory requirements, and data privacy legislation across African jurisdictions. Configure and optimise security groups, domain security policies, and access controls to protect sensitive employee and organisational data. Partner with Risk, Compliance, and Information Security functions to ensure adherence to cybersecurity standards and internal control frameworks. Conduct periodic security audits and recommend remediation plans to address identified vulnerabilities or compliance gaps. Ensure security configurations enable digital self-service while maintaining appropriate governance and risk mitigation. 3. Stakeholder Integration & Requirements Translation Collaborate with Group CoEs (Reward, Talent, Learning, Workforce Planning), HC Services, and HC Business Partners to gather, refine and validate configuration requirements. Facilitate structured requirement workshops and translate functional needs into detailed technical configuration specifications. Provide solution options, including trade-off analysis, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and architectural constraints. Act as a trusted technical advisor to senior HC stakeholders on digital enablement opportunities and system optimisation. Support change impact assessments relating to structural, regulatory, or strategic shifts. 4. Configuration Delivery & Optimisation Configure, test and deploy Core and Security solutions in accordance with defined architectural standards and release governance. Monitor configuration performance and proactively identify optimisation opportunities to enhance system usability, automation and efficiency. Troubleshoot complex configuration and security issues, ensuring timely resolution with minimal business disruption. Ensure high-quality regression testing and validation during system releases and upgrades. Partner with integration teams to ensure data integrity across HR, Payroll, Finance and Identity Management systems. 5. Digital Enablement & Automation Design workflow automation and digital case management solutions that enhance employee and manager experience. Leverage platform capabilities such as AI-enabled insights, predictive analytics and self-service capabilities where available. Recommend and implement automation opportunities that reduce manual intervention and improve data accuracy. Support the evolution of a digitally mature, tech-enabled HR function aligned to industry advancements. 6. Architectural Governance & Standards Ensure all solutions adhere to enterprise architecture principles. Maintain configuration standards, naming conventions and design governance documentation. Participate in design authority forums and architecture review boards. Provide technical guidance and oversight to configuration analysts and platform administrators. Maintain alignment with vendor best practices and product roadmaps. 7. Continuous Improvement & Market Alignment Stay abreast of emerging trends in HR technology, cloud architecture, AI-enabled HR systems and security governance. Evaluate new features and platform releases to assess organisational impact and adoption readiness. Benchmark configurations against industry best practices within global financial services organisations. Contribute to multi-year HCT roadmap planning aligned to organisational strategy. Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required Technical Knowledge Deep configuration expertise in Workday Core HCM and Security modules. Strong working knowledge of ServiceNow HRSD and workflow design. Understanding of cloud architecture principles, SaaS delivery models, APIs and integration frameworks. Knowledge of identity and access management principles and cybersecurity fundamentals. Familiarity with pan-African regulatory environments impacting employee data privacy and governance. Professional Skills Ability to design integrated solutions within a complex operating model. Strong analytical capability with the ability to translate abstract business requirements into structured technical solutions. High levels of stakeholder influence and consultative capability. Structured documentation and architectural modelling proficiency. Data-driven decision-making and problem-solving capability. Change agility and adaptability in a fast-evolving digital landscape. Behavioural Capabilities Demonstrates enterprise mindset and cross-functional collaboration. Exercises sound judgement within defined architectural parameters. Operates with integrity and confidentiality in handling sensitive HR data. Shows continuous learning orientation and digital curiosity. Education Bachelor's Degree: Information Technology Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank. Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised