Project Manager - Payroll Implementation

With a reputation built over 150 years, BAM has the depth, scale and momentum to offer you more than a next step. We offer you a path. One that can take you across sectors, into leadership, or even around the world. We invest in development because we want our people to stay and grow. Wherever you want to go, we’ll help you get there.

BAM UK&I are seeking an experienced Project Manager on a 12 month FTC to lead the end-to-end delivery of the Payroll Project, reporting directly to the Payroll Programme Manager. The role has full accountability for the successful implementation of the payroll solution, including design, build, testing, cutover, and transition to BAU.

The Project Manager will own delivery of the payroll project in its entirety, coordinating across HR, Time & Attendance, Finance, IT, and external vendors to ensure a compliant, accurate, and resilient payroll solution. This is a high-impact role within a business-critical programme, requiring strong payroll domain knowledge, disciplined delivery, and a clear focus on risk and control.

The ideal candidate will bring proven experience delivering end-to-end payroll implementations, ideally involving SAP SuccessFactors / Employee Central Payroll or equivalent enterprise payroll platforms, and managing the full payroll lifecycle across multiple stakeholders.

• Own and manage the full end-to-end Payroll Project lifecycle, from initiation through design, build, testing, deployment, and hypercare.
• Maintain the integrated payroll project plan, milestones, dependencies, budget, and RAID log.
• Be accountable for delivery against agreed scope, timelines, quality standards, and success criteria.
• Provide clear, regular status reporting to the Payroll Programme Manager, including risks, issues, and decision points.
• Ensure the payroll project remains aligned with programme objectives and dependencies across HR, Time & Attendance, and Finance.
• Act as the day-to-day project lead across business, IT, and third-party vendors.
• Manage system integrators and payroll vendors, holding them accountable for delivery against plan.
• Engage Payroll, HR, Finance, and Operations stakeholders to ensure requirements, designs, and plans are understood and agreed.
• Proactively manage change requests, scope control, and delivery impacts.

• Lead delivery of all core payroll processes within the project scope.
• Ensure the payroll solution design supports accuracy, compliance, and operational resilience.
• Work closely with Payroll SMEs to define and agree future-state payroll processes and controls.
• Ensure payroll operational requirements are fully reflected in system design and delivery.

• Oversee integration between Payroll and upstream / downstream systems.
• Ensure end-to-end data flows, interfaces, and controls are clearly defined and delivered.
• Coordinate cutover and transition activities to ensure continuity of payroll processing.

• Manage in partnership with Testing Services the payroll testing approach, including SIT, UAT, and Payroll Parallel Runs.
• Ensure comprehensive test coverage across payroll scenarios, entities, and employee populations.
• Oversee defect management, prioritisation, and resolution.
• Plan and manage payroll cutover activities, ensuring business readiness and risk mitigation.

• Identify and actively manage payroll-related risks, including financial, compliance, and reputational risks.
• Ensure appropriate payroll controls, reconciliations, and sign-offs are embedded in the solution.
• Support audit and assurance activities as required.

• Work closely with Change and Training leads to ensure payroll teams are prepared for new processes and systems.
• Support communications, training plans, and operational readiness activities.
• Drive adoption of standardised processes and reduction of manual workarounds.

You can be based anywhere in the UK working on a hybrid basis between office and home.

• A wide range of family friendly policies
• 8 % matched pension contributions
• Life assurance
• 26 days holiday
• Personal and professional development

• Proven experience as a Project Manager delivering Payroll system implementations.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end payroll processes and controls.
• Experience managing system integrators and third-party vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, high-risk delivery in a regulated environment.
• Strong governance, planning, and risk management skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience with SAP SuccessFactors, Employee Central Payroll, or SAP Payroll.
• Experience integrating Payroll with Time & Attendance solutions.
• Experience delivering payroll solutions across multiple legal entities or countries (e.g. UK & Ireland).
• Experience within large, complex, or transformation-led organisations.

• Payroll qualification or strong payroll operational background – desirable.

BAM is committed to ensuring a fully inclusive recruitment and onboarding process, so if at any time you feel you may need any reasonable adjustments, do not hesitate to speak with one of our team, and we will do our best to support you.