The Senior Project Manager will lead the end‑to‑end delivery of a complex, multi‑workstream Payroll Transformation Programme, ensuring the organisation transitions to a modern, compliant, and scalable payroll operating model. This is a hands‑on role, responsible for directly driving technology implementation, process redesign, third‑party provider management, data migration, and organisational change across multiple regions. As a mid‑programme appointment, the successful candidate will take ownership of an in‑flight programme and strengthen its governance and documentation from day one.
The successful candidate will bring proven experience delivering large‑scale payroll, HRIS, or finance system programmes within a global organisation, with strong leadership, governance, documentation, and stakeholder management capabilities, and a proven record of managing third‑party providers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the full lifecycle delivery of the Payroll Transformation Programme, taking over a programme where initiation is complete and completing the phases still in design and planning through to stabilisation and benefits realisation.
- Work hands‑on in the detail of delivery, including plan updates, workstream check‑ins, and issue resolution, rather than through reporting alone.
- Re‑baseline programme scope, milestones, budget, and success criteria for the remaining phases, and confirm governance structures are in place and operating.
- Ensure integrations between payroll, HR, finance, and time‑tracking systems are delivered effectively.
- Drive cross‑functional alignment across Technology, Finance, HR, and regional operations.
- Oversee system configuration, data cleansing, migration and validation activities.
- Complete requirements gathering and ensure high‑quality functional and technical specifications for the phases still in design and planning.
- Coordinate user acceptance testing (UAT), parallel payroll runs, and cutover planning.
- Monitor programme risks, issues, dependencies, and ensure effective mitigation strategies.
- Review existing programme governance documentation against the required standard, and maintain RAID logs, project plans, decision records, and an audit‑ready trail of approvals.
- Own the day‑to‑day management of external payroll system vendors, consultants, and implementation partners, including SOW tracking, escalations, and regular performance reviews.
- Hold service partners to contractual timelines, quality, and scope through SLAs, milestone acceptance, and formal change control.
- Act as the primary point of contact for senior leadership and internal sponsors.
- Prepare and deliver clear, executive‑level reporting on progress, risks, and decisions required.
- Develop and oversee the change, training, and communication plan for impacted teams.
- Support adoption by ensuring new processes, controls, and governance structures are embedded.
Skills & Experience:
- 8+ years' experience delivering large, complex projects or programmes.
- Proven experience leading payroll, HRIS, ERP, or finance system implementations.
- Strong understanding of global payroll processing, compliance, taxation, and audit requirements.
- Demonstrated competency in multi‑workstream programme management.
- Experience taking over and stabilising a programme part‑way through delivery, including re‑planning phases that are in design and planning.
- Hands‑on delivery capability, comfortable working directly in plans, configurations, and test activity rather than only at steering‑committee level.
- Proven experience managing third‑party providers (SaaS, enterprise technology, and implementation partners), including contract, SLA, and performance management.
- Expertise in project governance, documentation standards, RAID management, budgeting, and reporting.
- Excellent problem‑solving, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
Life at RWS -
If you like the idea of working with smart people who are passionate about growing the value of ideas, data and content by making sure organizations are understood, then you’ll love life at RWS.
Our purpose is to unlock global understanding. This means our work fundamentally recognizes the value of every language and culture. So, we celebrate difference, we are inclusive and believe that diversity makes us strong. We want every employee to grow as an individual and excel in their career.
RWS embraces DEI
and promotes equal opportunity, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. RWS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at RWS are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation. RWS will not tolerate discrimination based on any of these characteristics.
RWS Values
Get the 3Ps right – Partner, Pioneer, Progress – and we´ll Deliver together as RWS.
Recruitment Agencies
RWS Holdings PLC does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward any unsolicited resumes to any RWS employees. Any unsolicited resume received will be treated as the property of RWS and Terms & Conditions associated with the use of such resume will be considered null and void.
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Senior Project Manager in Maidenhead employer: RWS
RWS is an exceptional employer that champions inclusivity and diversity, making it a vibrant workplace for individuals passionate about brand protection. Located in London, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that prioritises personal growth and professional development, alongside the opportunity to work with innovative teams dedicated to unlocking global understanding. With a strong commitment to equal opportunity, RWS fosters an environment where every voice is valued, ensuring a rewarding experience for all employees.
