At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the payroll transformation project and ensure smooth migration across multiple business units.
- Company: Join Sumer, a fast-growing professional services firm dedicated to supporting small businesses.
- Benefits: Remote work, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team where your contributions are valued and celebrated.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a pivotal role during an exciting phase of our journey.
- Qualifications: Project management experience and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Sumer is a fast-growing professional services firm that is dedicated to championing small and medium businesses and helping communities prosper, right across the UK and Ireland. We’re at a unique point in our journey: the excitement of a scale-up combined with the stability of a growing professional services group. This is a chance to join us at the ground floor, shape the future, and make a real impact.
As Project Manager – Payroll Transformation, you will play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of Sumer’s payroll transformation programme, including the rollout of a new Payroll solution across multiple business units. This is a critical role supporting one of Sumer’s most business-critical service lines. You will work closely with Payroll leaders, hub teams, Technology, Procurement, Finance, Learning & Development and external vendors to ensure the migration is well planned, tightly governed and delivered with minimal operational disruption.
The role will focus on coordinating the end-to-end payroll migration plan, managing dependencies, supporting testing and training readiness, driving issue resolution and ensuring each hub is prepared for parallel run, go-live and transition into business as usual. This is a 18-month fixed term contract position, reporting directly into the Strategy and Integration Director.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the planning, governance, and delivery of the payroll migration programme across Sumer hubs and spokes.
- Work closely with Payroll teams to understand current processes, operational requirements and migration readiness.
- Develop and manage detailed project plans, timelines, milestones, risks, dependencies, budget and resource allocation.
- Coordinate hub-by-hub migration activity, ensuring rollout sequencing is clear and realistic.
- Coordinate with Technology, Procurement and third-party providers to ensure system, contract and implementation dependencies are managed effectively.
- Support the planning and delivery of user testing, parallel runs, data validation, training and go-live readiness.
- Identify, elevate and mitigate project risks, blockers and dependencies.
- Ensure clear communication and reporting of project progress to key stakeholders and governance forums, including developing communication plans to the broader team.
- Support standardisation of payroll processes and ways of working across hubs and spokes.
- Ensure successful transition into business-as-usual operations, including documentation, ownership, support routes and lessons learned.
- Monitor post implementation progress, adoption and key delivery outcomes.
- Project Management Skills: Demonstrated experience in managing multiple technology and transformation project streams efficiently. Strong planning, governance and delivery discipline.
- Analytical Skills: Strong aptitude for data analysis and problem-solving with a structured approach.
- Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to engage and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders and cross-functions.
- Vendor Management: Ability to manage third-party vendors and external delivery partners.
- Problem-Solving: A solution-focused mindset, capable of identifying and addressing challenges that arise during projects.
- Highly organised, delivery-focused and able to maintain momentum across several workstreams.
- Flexible and deadline driven: Ability to work and adapt in a fast-paced professional services environment.
- Process Mapping and Optimisation: Expertise in evaluating current workflows and recommending improvements for efficiency and consistency, as well as practical understanding of testing and change adoption.
- Communication: Clear and concise communication skills, with the ability to simplify complexity and drive action.
- Previous experience working in a professional services environment, including familiarity with payroll or finance operations.
- Experience delivering payroll, HR, ERP or other operational system implementations.
- Experience supporting data migration, parallel run, testing and go-live activities.
- Experience working with external software vendors and implementation partners.
- Change management experience, including training coordination, adoption planning and business readiness.
At Sumer, we know everyone’s journey is different. That’s why we’re committed to fairness, removing barriers and giving people the support they need to do their best work. If you need any support during the hiring process, just let us know. Our values represent what matters most to us and guide how we work every day:
- We Shine Together
- We Do the Right Thing
- We Make It Count
We know diverse teams make us stronger. That’s why we’re creating an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs and differences are valued and celebrated.
Payroll Transformation Project Manager employer: Sumer Group Holdings Limited
Sumer is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity to be part of a fast-growing professional services firm dedicated to supporting small and medium businesses across the UK and Ireland. With a strong focus on employee growth, Sumer fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture where diverse perspectives are valued, ensuring that every team member can contribute meaningfully to impactful projects. The remote working environment provides flexibility, while the chance to shape the future of payroll transformation within a supportive team makes this role both rewarding and significant.
Contact Details:
Sumer Group Holdings Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Transformation Project Manager
✨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 Sumer Group Holdings Limited. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
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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
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✨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 Sumer Group Holdings Limited.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Transformation Project Manager
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 Sumer Group Holdings Limited 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 Sumer Group Holdings Limited
✨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 Sumer Group Holdings Limited 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 Sumer Group Holdings Limited.
✨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 Sumer Group Holdings Limited.
✨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 Sumer Group Holdings Limited. 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.
