Senior Manager, Software Engineering

To excel as a Senior Manager, Software Engineering at Workday, you should have at least 5 years of experience leading engineering teams, along with a minimum of 2 years managing other leaders. A BS in Computer Science or related fields is essential, and a graduate degree is a plus. You must also be comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment, showcasing strong operational experience in developing large-scale distributed systems.

In the role of Senior Manager, Software Engineering at Workday, you'll be responsible for leading a team of engineers to develop scalable user experiences. This includes constructing a platform roadmap, collaborating with internal stakeholders, ensuring project delivery within timelines and budgets, and contributing to the engineering culture by improving productivity and job satisfaction.

Workday offers a unique employee-centric culture that prioritizes collaboration, innovation, and personal growth. As a Senior Manager of Software Engineering, you will work in an environment that fosters open communication and the sharing of ideas, all while encouraging team members to bring their authentic selves to work.

At Workday, we embrace a Flex Work approach that combines in-person and remote work to give teams the freedom to establish a schedule that best suits their needs. As a Senior Manager, you’ll be expected to spend at least 50% of your time in the office per quarter, enhancing team connectivity while still enjoying the flexibility to manage your work-life balance.

As a Senior Manager of Software Engineering at Workday, you will have numerous opportunities for professional growth, including mentoring team members, spearheading innovative projects, and collaborating with peer leaders to influence the future of our platform. Workday also believes in cultivating talent, so you'll have support in developing your career path.

When managing a software engineering team, it's crucial to foster an open and inclusive environment that encourages collaboration. I prioritize regular one-on-one meetings to understand individual team members' challenges and aspirations, providing tailored guidance and support. It's also important to lead by example and showcase a willingness to learn from others, thus creating a culture of continuous improvement.

Absolutely! One noteworthy project involved leading a team to develop a scalable microservices architecture for a new product. By collaborating closely with cross-functional teams and maintaining transparent communication, we successfully launched the product on time and received positive feedback from users. This experience taught me the importance of aligning technical decisions with business requirements.

Key qualities for a Senior Manager in this role include strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of software development methodologies, and excellent communication abilities. It's essential to be adaptable and supportive while also possessing a strong vision for the technical direction of projects. Additionally, nurturing team spirit and embracing diversity are critical for driving innovation.

I believe in addressing conflicts promptly and objectively. My approach is to facilitate an open dialogue between the involved parties, ensuring everyone has a chance to express their perspectives. By focusing on our shared goals and values as a team, we can often find common ground and work towards a resolution that aligns with our mission.

I've extensively implemented agile methodologies in my previous roles, focusing on iterative development and customer feedback. I emphasize setting clear objectives and maintaining regular check-ins to adjust our strategies as needed. Adopting agile practices has significantly improved my team's ability to respond to changes and deliver high-quality features effectively.

Quality assurance is paramount in software development. I advocate for a robust testing strategy, which includes automated tests, code reviews, and continuous integration practices. This not only helps catch issues early in the development cycle but also fosters a culture of accountability and encourages engineers to take ownership of their code.

I believe in recognizing and celebrating achievements within the team, big or small. Regular team-building activities and encouraging professional development opportunities are crucial. Additionally, I try to ensure that each team member feels valued and has a voice in decision-making processes, fostering a genuine investment in our projects.

I regularly attend industry conferences, participate in webinars, and engage in online communities to keep up with the latest trends in software engineering. I also encourage my team to share insights and recommend resources during our meetings, creating a knowledge-sharing culture that benefits everyone.

Balancing innovation with deadlines requires strategic planning and prioritization. I focus on setting realistic milestones while allocating time for research and experimentation. By using agile practices, we can adapt our plans as needed while ensuring that innovative ideas are incorporated into deliverables effectively.

My greatest motivation comes from seeing my team members thrive and grow in their careers. I find it incredibly rewarding to empower engineers to explore new challenges, develop their skills, and collaborate creatively. Leading a team allows me to contribute to a positive engineering culture and drive impactful results for the company.