Project Manager - Payroll and HR

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Project Manager to lead a high‑profile HR and Payroll systems implementation for a well‑established education and training organisation in the North of England. The role will oversee the full project lifecycle, from planning and data migration to go‑live, working in a hybrid environment with three days per week on site.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end delivery of the HR/Payroll implementation, managing plans, timelines, budgets and risks.
• Coordinate data cleansing, validation and migration activities.
• Facilitate governance meetings, provide status updates and ensure milestones are met.
• Manage stakeholder expectations across HR, Payroll, IT and senior leadership.
• Support system testing, user acceptance testing, training and go‑live planning.
• Drive issue resolution and implement risk mitigation strategies.

Required profile

• Extensive experience delivering complex HR and Payroll system projects.
• Strong knowledge of Waterfall project‑management methodology.
• Proven record of managing data cleansing, migration and system integration.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to work in large, complex organisations and influence delivery.

Required skills

• Waterfall project‑management methodology
• Data cleansing
• Data migration
• System integration
• iTrent (or similar HRIS)
• People First (or similar payroll platform)
• PRINCE2, PMP or MSP certification

What we offer

• Up to £400 per day (8‑month fixed‑term contract)
• Flexible three‑day‑per‑week commitment
• Hybrid working with required on‑site presence in the North
• Opportunity to lead a high‑visibility transformation project
• Collaborative and supportive environment