Project Manager ; HR​/Payroll

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the HR and Payroll functional work streams within our enterprise-wide transformation from Oracle to SAP S/4

HANA. This role will be responsible for day‑to‑day delivery execution and operates under the guidance of the Program Manager to ensure alignment with overall program objectives, timelines, and interdependencies. The role serves as the key point of coordination between functional teams, program leadership, and vendors. This is a hands‑on delivery role requiring strong structure, accountability, and the ability to operate effectively within a highly matrixed program environment.

• Must have directly managed HR and Payroll work streams in large‑scale ERP implementations (preferably SAP S/4
  
  HANA).
• Ability to drive day‑to‑day operations, maintain timelines, manage scope, and ensure alignment with program controls and governance.
• Strong ability to communicate needs, risks, and progress to Program Managers and functional leads across business and IT.

• Drive day‑to‑day project operations within HR and Payroll work streams to achieve program objectives.
• Ensure timeline coordination and adherence to scope, plan of record, and project controls expectations (PCE).
• Develop, maintain, and manage detailed project plans and schedules, aligned with program milestones.
• Collaborate closely with functional team members, SMEs, and workstream leads.
• Identify, document, and manage workstream‑level risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Drive resolution of risks and issues within the HR/Payroll scope; elevate cross‑workstream or program‑level impacts as needed.
• Coordinate with business owners, functional SMEs, and technical teams to ensure readiness and adoption.
• Serve as the primary escalation point within the HR and Payroll work streams, elevating broader issues to the Program Manager as needed.
• Coordinate day‑to‑day activities with functional teams and vendors to ensure timely, high‑quality deliverables.

BS and 20 years experience.

• 8+ years of project management experience, including 5+ years managing ERP‑related work streams.
• Demonstrated experience leading HR and Payroll components of major ERP implementations.
• Strong understanding of HR and Payroll business processes and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to operate within a structured program governance model, collaborating with a Program Manager, Implementation Planner, and multiple workstream leads.
• Strong risk, issue, and dependency management experience.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira).
• PMP or equivalent certification preferred.

• Experience with SAP S/4
  
  HANA strongly preferred; experience transitioning from Oracle EBS to SAP S/4 HANA is a plus.
• Experience working with system integrators and implementation planners on ERP programs.
• Experience working in organizations with complex stakeholder environments (federal, regulated industries, or large enterprises).
• Background in Agile or hybrid delivery models within ERP programs.
• Experience working within a federal, research, or DOE national laboratory environment is a plus, but not required.

• Highly organized and capable of balancing detailed workstream execution with broader program alignment.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for delivery outcomes.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving clarity.
• Proactive, collaborative, effective at building strong partnerships across business, IT, and vendors.