Cutover Manager in Ledston

A large and well-established UK public sector organisation is delivering a major technology and business transformation programme. As part of this change, they are transitioning from legacy systems to a modern S/4HANA landscape. To support this critical programme, they are seeking an experienced Cutover Lead to ensure a smooth, low-risk transition into live service.

You will work closely with technical teams, business stakeholders, and external delivery partners to drive a controlled and successful go-live.

Your new role as Cutover Lead includes end-to-end ownership of all cutover activities required to support the organisation's transition to S/4HANA. Your responsibilities will include:

• Defining and maintaining the overarching cutover strategy, approach, and governance model in line with programme objectives.
• Developing and owning the integrated cutover plan, covering task sequencing, dependencies, milestones, and critical path activities.
• Coordinating cutover activity across multiple workstreams including functional, technical, data, testing, security, infrastructure, and business readiness.
• Leading cutover planning workshops and readiness assessments, ensuring all roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities are clearly understood.
• Identifying, managing, and mitigating cutover-related risks, issues, and dependencies, escalating as necessary.
• Designing and managing mock cutovers and dress rehearsals, capturing lessons learned and refining plans accordingly.
• Ensuring data migration, system readiness, and business activities remain aligned to the cutover timeline and deployment scope.
• Establishing and running command centre operations throughout mock and live cutovers, including progress tracking and issue resolution.

What you’ll need to succeed

Essential Criteria:

• Extensive experience working on large, complex ERP programmes, particularly within SAP environments.
• A proven track record of leading cutover activity on major transformation programmes.
• Significant experience transitioning IT change into live service across multi-system, integrated technology landscapes.
• Strong understanding of data migration, SaaS transition, and systems integration risks.
• Knowledge of business continuity planning and disaster recovery within service transition contexts.
• Experience leading and supporting delivery teams within complex IT organisations.
• Demonstrable ability to articulate a future-state vision and bring stakeholders along with it.
• Experience of managing external suppliers, system integrators, and professional services partners.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to navigate complex operational and institutional risk.
• Good understanding of IT support models, software licensing arrangements, and financial processes related to technology services.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience within public sector environments.
• Prior involvement in major S/4HANA implementations.
• Exposure to complex command centre operations for major ERP go-lives.
• Experience contributing to large-scale business readiness or organisational change activity.

What you’ll get in return

You will join a major public sector transformation initiative with the opportunity to influence and lead a high-profile technology deployment. The organisation offers a competitive outside IR35 day rate and benefits package, flexible working arrangements and generous annual leave.