At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a global payroll transformation project and oversee delivery across multiple countries.
- Company: Join a leading international organisation with a focus on innovation and transformation.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams across the globe in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in transforming payroll operations on a global scale.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in project management with finance transformation experience.
The predicted salary is between 69750 - 85250 £ per year.
Senior Project Manager - Finance Transformation
Location
London (Hybrid - 2-3 days per week in the office)
Contract
12 months initially, with potential an extension
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager / Transformation Lead to provide senior delivery leadership within a major global payroll transformation programme for a leading international organisation.
The programme involves consolidating payroll operations across 35 countries into a single global cloud-based payroll solution, alongside transitioning locally managed payroll support into a centralised Shared Services model.
With the first wave of countries entering parallel run, the organisation is looking for an experienced individual to work closely with senior Finance and Shared Services sponsors, providing leadership, coordination and delivery oversight across the programme.
This is a senior position requiring someone who can operate confidently at executive level while remaining hands-on and closely involved in delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and delivery oversight across the global payroll transformation programme.
- Work closely with senior executive sponsors across Finance and Shared Services, ensuring alignment on priorities and key decisions.
- Lead programme governance, including 30, 60 and 90-day reviews, reporting and forward planning.
- Oversee global payroll consolidation, implementation, parallel runs, testing, cutover and stabilisation.
- Drive the transition from local payroll operations to a centralised Shared Services model.
- Manage programme risks, issues, dependencies, budgets and delivery milestones.
- Coordinate globally distributed teams across the UK, North America and Asia-Pacific.
- Manage third-party implementation partners and commercial commitments.
- Oversee dependencies with the wider People Fusion HCM programme, particularly employee data and system integrations.
- Identify delivery challenges and proactively develop practical solutions.
Essential Experience & Skills
- Around 15+ years' experience managing complex transformation projects, programmes or portfolios, with strong hands-on delivery experience.
- Proven experience in finance transformation, global payroll transformation or large-scale enterprise systems implementations.
- Experience delivering complex, multi-country transformation programmes.
- Strong understanding of global systems implementation, integration, testing, cutover and transition.
- Excellent senior stakeholder management and influencing skills, including engagement with executive sponsors and senior Finance leaders.
- Experience managing programme governance, budgets, risks, dependencies and commercial matters.
- Proven ability to lead globally distributed teams and manage external implementation partners.
- Strong communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.
Desirable Experience
- Global payroll systems and transformation programmes.
- ERP implementations such as SAP, Oracle, Workday or similar.
- Finance operating model transformation and Shared Services transitions.
- HR / HCM transformation and system integrations.
- Knowledge of payroll and wider finance processes.
- PRINCE2, APM, PMI or MSP qualifications.
Project Manager - Finance Transformation in London employer: GCS Recruitment
Join a forward-thinking organisation that values innovation and collaboration, where as a Senior Site Reliability Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in enhancing the reliability and performance of critical banking systems. With a hybrid working model based in Knutsford or Glasgow, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises continuous improvement and employee growth, alongside opportunities for technical leadership and mentorship. Enjoy a competitive benefits package and the chance to work with cutting-edge technologies in a dynamic environment that fosters professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager - Finance Transformation in London
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like GCS Recruitment. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at GCS Recruitment.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at GCS Recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager - Finance Transformation in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at GCS Recruitment and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at GCS Recruitment
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like GCS Recruitment will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to GCS Recruitment.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at GCS Recruitment.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at GCS Recruitment. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
