Project Manager - Payroll and HR

Project Manager – HR/Payroll Systems Implementation

Location: North England / Hybrid Working AvailableContract Length: 8 MonthsRate: Up to £400 per dayWorking Pattern: 3 Days Per Week

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead a key HR and Payroll systems implementation project for a well-established education and training organisation. This is an exciting opportunity to drive the successful delivery of a complex transformation programme, managing system implementation, data migration, and stakeholder engagement from project inception through to go-live.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of delivering HR and Payroll technology projects, ideally involving systems such as iTrent and/or People First.

Key Responsibilities

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• Lead the end-to-end delivery of an HR/Payroll implementation project.
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• Manage project plans, timelines, budgets, risks, and dependencies.
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• Work closely with internal stakeholders, system vendors, and third-party partners.
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• Coordinate and oversee data cleansing, validation, and migration activities.
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• Ensure project milestones are delivered on time and within scope.
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• Facilitate project governance meetings and provide regular status updates.
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• Manage stakeholder expectations across HR, Payroll, IT, and senior leadership teams.
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• Support system testing, UAT, training, and go-live planning.
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• Drive issue resolution and implement effective risk mitigation strategies.
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Essential Requirements

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• Extensive experience as a Project Manager delivering complex HR and Payroll systems implementations.
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• Strong knowledge of Waterfall project management methodologies.
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• Proven track record managing data cleansing, data migration, and system integration activities.
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• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
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• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams.
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• Experience working within large, complex organisations.
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• Ability to challenge, influence, and drive project delivery.
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Desirable Experience

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• Experience within public sector or large corporate environments.
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• Previous experience working with iTrent, People First, or similar HRIS/payroll platforms.
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• Payroll transformation or HR systems upgrade experience.
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• Formal project management qualification (PRINCE2, PMP, MSP or equivalent).
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What's on Offer?

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• Up to £400 per day.
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• Flexible 3 days per week commitment.
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• Hybrid working with North-based presence when required.
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• Opportunity to lead a high-profile transformation project.
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• Immediate impact within a collaborative and supportive environment.
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If you are an experienced Project Manager with a successful background in HR and Payroll systems implementations and are available for an 8-month contract, we would love to hear from you.