Cutover Manager in Leeds

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, you will take 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.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or contact us for a confidential discussion.