HRIS Implementation Manager - 12 Month Fixed-term Contract

I'm currently looking for an HRIS & Payroll Implementation Manager for our public sector client on an initial 12 Month Fixed-term contract, with likelihood of extension for the duration of the Project. Experience of Project Management for HRIS & Payroll Implementations will be critical for the role.

- Salary: £64k
- Annual Leave: 27 Days, Plus Bank Holidays
- Local Gov Pension Scheme

Role Overview

The Implementation Manager is responsible for leading the technical implementation of new HR and payroll systems as part of a wider organisational transformation programme. Working closely with senior stakeholders, the role ensures successful system design, testing, data migration, and deployment while minimising operational disruption and supporting organisational change.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of new HR and payroll platforms from planning through to go-live.
• Define project scope, timelines, technical requirements, success measures, and delivery plans.
• Manage system testing, including end-to-end testing, parallel payroll runs, and data validation.
• Oversee data migration and system integration with existing business applications.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate project risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Monitor project progress, budgets, and milestones, providing updates to senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders throughout implementation.
• Develop technical implementation roadmaps and resolve delivery bottlenecks.
• Facilitate workshops, training sessions, and communications to support user adoption and change management.
• Ensure new systems are scalable, resilient, compliant, and fit for future organisational needs.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience delivering HRIS and payroll system implementations.
• Strong project management experience delivering complex technical change programmes.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, risks, budgets, and benefits realisation.
• Experience with digital transformation and organisational change initiatives.
• Experience developing and maintaining project plans to deliver value, quality, and timely outcomes.

Desirable Experience

• Experience procuring HR or payroll systems.
• Experience managing supplier contracts and service level agreements.
• Experience working within regulated or public sector environments.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of HRIS and payroll systems.
• Familiarity with recognised project management methodologies such as Agile, PRINCE2, MSP, or equivalent.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering projects on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate organisational objectives into successful project delivery.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.
• Professional project or programme management certification (e.g. PRINCE2, Agile, MSP, APM, PMI) is desirable.

Personal Attributes

• Analytical and evidence-based decision maker.
• Adaptable, collaborative, and committed to continuous improvement.
• Accountable, organised, and resilient under pressure.
• Strong commitment to fairness, openness, learning, and delivering high-quality outcomes.