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- Tasks: Lead a large-scale Payroll transformation programme and ensure successful implementation of a new payroll solution.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on delivering innovative payroll solutions across the UK & Ireland.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a chance to work with industry experts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming payroll processes and ensuring compliance in a critical business role.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in payroll implementations and strong project management skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth and cross-functional teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: UK & Ireland
Contract: Fixed Term (12 months)
Start Date: ASAP
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced SAP Project Manager – Payroll to lead the end-to-end delivery of a large-scale Payroll transformation programme, reporting into a senior Programme Manager. This role carries full accountability for the successful implementation of a new payroll solution, spanning design, build, testing, cutover, and transition to business-as-usual (BAU). It is a business-critical position requiring deep payroll domain expertise, disciplined project governance, and a strong focus on risk, controls, and compliance. The Project Manager will work cross-functionally with HR, Time & Attendance, Finance, IT, and external vendors to deliver an accurate, compliant, and resilient payroll solution across the UK & Ireland. The ideal candidate will have proven experience delivering end-to-end payroll implementations, ideally involving enterprise payroll platforms such as SAP SuccessFactors / Employee Central Payroll or equivalent.
Key Responsibilities
- Project Delivery & Governance
- Own and manage the full payroll project lifecycle from initiation through hypercare.
- Maintain integrated project plans, milestones, dependencies, budgets, and RAID logs.
- Be accountable for delivery against agreed scope, timelines, quality standards, and success criteria.
- Provide regular, clear status reporting, highlighting risks, issues, and decision points.
- Ensure alignment with wider programme objectives and cross-functional dependencies.
- Lead the implementation of a new payroll solution, ensuring functional accuracy and regulatory compliance.
- Coordinate solution design across Payroll, HR, Time & Attendance, Finance, and IT.
- Oversee data migration, parallel runs, payroll validation, and cutover activities.
- Ensure payroll controls, audit requirements, and statutory obligations are fully met.
- Manage transition to BAU, including handover to operational teams and support models.
- Act as the primary point of accountability for senior business stakeholders.
- Manage relationships with external vendors, system integrators, and payroll providers.
- Facilitate decision-making, resolve conflicts, and maintain stakeholder confidence throughout delivery.
- Proactively identify and mitigate payroll, regulatory, and operational risks.
- Ensure adherence to governance frameworks, change control, and data protection standards.
- Drive quality assurance across testing, sign-off, and go-live readiness activities.
SAP Payroll Project Manager employer: Next Ventures
Contact Detail:
Next Ventures Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SAP Payroll Project Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and project management space. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your SAP Payroll knowledge. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you tackled challenges. We recommend practising common interview questions with a friend or using mock interview tools to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or a case study of your previous payroll implementations. Highlight your role in the project lifecycle and the impact you made. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. So, get your application in and let’s make that payroll transformation happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace SAP Payroll Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the SAP Payroll Project Manager role. Highlight your experience with payroll transformations and any relevant SAP platforms you've worked with. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of past projects where you led payroll implementations and how you managed risks and compliance.
Showcase Your Project Management Skills: In your application, emphasise your project management expertise. Talk about how you've handled project lifecycles, maintained budgets, and ensured quality standards in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can manage the full project lifecycle!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes it easier for us to keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next Ventures
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your payroll knowledge, especially around SAP SuccessFactors and Employee Central Payroll. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've managed, focusing on the end-to-end delivery process and how you tackled challenges.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with project governance and lifecycle management. Highlight how you've maintained project plans, budgets, and RAID logs in previous roles, and be ready to provide examples of how you ensured quality standards were met.
✨Stakeholder Engagement is Key
Think about how you've managed relationships with senior stakeholders and external vendors in the past. Be prepared to share examples of how you facilitated decision-making and resolved conflicts to keep projects on track.
✨Risk Management Know-How
Demonstrate your ability to identify and mitigate risks. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've proactively addressed payroll, regulatory, or operational risks, and how you ensured compliance with governance frameworks.
