HR Project Manager

An exciting opportunity to join Wickes as part of a dynamic project team responsible for the day‑to‑day administration and implementation of a new HCM system (Oracle or SAP). This role will ensure seamless coordination across HR, Technology, and external vendors, keeping the project aligned to timelines, action plans, resource allocation, and budget. With a strong focus on governance, collaboration, and delivery, this position plays a key role in driving a successful system implementation that enhances operational efficiency and employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Schedule Management: Maintain and update the master project plan. Track key milestones including Configuration, Mock Data Loads, UAT, and Parallel Runs. Maintain and manage the RAID log (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies). Proactively alert the Programme Lead to any potential delays, risks, or slippage.
• Meeting & Logistics Governance: Organise and facilitate Project Board meetings, workstream check‑ins, and workshops. Record accurate minutes and proactively track action completion.
• Documentation Control: Act as the central custodian for all project documentation. Ensure functional specifications, data mapping documents, approvals, and sign‑offs are stored correctly in line with audit and GDPR compliance requirements.
• Budget Monitoring: Track project spend against agreed budget. Ensure all costs are accurately recorded and managed in collaboration with the Programme Lead.
• Status Reporting: Consolidate updates from Data, Technology, Change, and Payroll workstreams. Produce weekly status reports and RAG (Red, Amber, Green) dashboards for stakeholders. Highlight key risks, issues, and interdependencies clearly and concisely.
• Resource Coordination: Monitor SME availability and capacity ("bandwidth"). Ensure HR team members are scheduled appropriately for testing and training activities. Escalate conflicts between project commitments and BAU responsibilities where required.
• Coordination of Project Activities: Support SMEs in scheduling and coordinating key activities such as UAT, business readiness, and change initiatives. Ensure alignment across teams to maintain project momentum.

What we are looking for?

• Educated to degree level or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum 2+ years’ experience in project coordination, ideally within HR, Payroll, or IT transformation.
• Strong proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, Trello).
• Advanced MS Excel skills.
• Exceptional communication skills with the confidence to challenge and follow up with senior stakeholders constructively.
• Strong tenacity and accountability mindset — able to maintain up‑to‑date plans and hold others to agreed actions.
• High attention to detail with clear visibility of progress, risks, and blockers.
• Strong understanding of the software implementation lifecycle (Discovery, Build, Test, Deploy).
• Ability to review team updates and identify themes, risks, and escalation points.
• PRINCE2 Foundation or CAPM qualification.
• Experience working with a specialist HCM implementation partner.

What can we offer you?

• You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us.
• Competitive bonus (2027 period).
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Colleague discount.
• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme.
• Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support.
• We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture. We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working.

About Us

Wickes is a multi‑channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 40 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.3 Bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues. But it is the Wickes’ culture that we are really proud of as it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.

Please contact us here if you require any adjustments within the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage you will have an opportunity to inform us when we invite you to interview. Please note, this link is only for reasonable adjustments required — general enquiries, or direct CV applications cannot be accepted via this form.