Human Resources Lead

Confidential Jobs; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Jobs in Manchester City Centre is seeking an experienced Interim HR Transformation Lead to own a high-priority change programme. You will lead outsourcing of payroll, accelerate the HR system rollout and establish an effective shared-services operation.

This hands-on delivery role requires rapid assessment, clear planning and coordination across HR, payroll, finance, technology and external partners to deliver controlled change at pace while maintaining employee continuity.

Qualifications

• Proven delivery of outsourced payroll implementations or payroll-provider transitions.
• Strong track record delivering HR systems at pace including data migration, testing and go-live.
• Experience establishing or leading HR shared services in a changing organisation.
• Ownership of complex HR transformation from assessment through implementation and stabilisation.
• Experience managing external suppliers and working across HR, finance, technology and operations.
• Strong programme management and senior stakeholder communication skills.
• Ability to move between strategic decisions and detailed delivery without losing momentum.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end transition to outsourced payroll service with supplier mobilisation, testing, cutover and stabilisation.
• Drive implementation of a new HR system with design decisions, data migration, integrations, testing and go-live readiness.
• Design and embed an efficient HR shared-services model with clear scope, ownership, SLAs and controls.
• Assess status, confirm priorities, dependencies and risks; establish a delivery plan with accountable owners.
• Coordinate internal teams and third-party providers; challenge slippage and resolve issues affecting delivery.
• Implement governance with milestones, decisions, risk reporting and progress updates for senior stakeholders.
• Ensure data, process, security, and compliance requirements are addressed throughout implementation.
• Manage business readiness and change activities including communications, training and handover to BAU.
• Guide HR through transition maintaining momentum in a fast-moving environment.

Skills

Payroll outsourcing

HR systems

HR shared services

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Data migration

Risk management

External suppliers

Job description

Interim HR Transformation Lead

Salary: 60-70K

Manchester City Centre

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced HR Transformation Lead to take ownership of a high-priority change programme. The role will lead the implementation of an outsourced payroll model, accelerate delivery of a new HR system and establish an effective shared-services operation.

This is a hands-on delivery role for someone who can quickly understand the current position, identify the critical path and turn it into a practical plan. You will work across HR, payroll, finance, technology and external partners to deliver controlled change at pace while maintaining continuity for employees.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end transition to an outsourced payroll service, from requirements and supplier mobilisation through testing, cutover and stabilisation.
• Drive implementation of a new HR system, coordinating design decisions, data migration, integrations, testing, training and go-live readiness.
• Design and embed an efficient HR shared-services model, including service scope, processes, ownership, service levels, controls and escalation routes.
• Assess programme status rapidly, confirm priorities, dependencies and risks, and establish a clear delivery plan with accountable owners.
• Coordinate internal teams and third-party providers, challenge slippage and resolve issues that could affect delivery, payroll accuracy or employee experience.
• Put proportionate programme governance in place, with clear milestones, decisions, risk reporting and progress updates for senior stakeholders.
• Ensure data, process, security and compliance requirements are addressed throughout implementation, drawing on the relevant specialists where needed.
• Manage business readiness and change activity, including communications, training, process documentation and handover into business-as-usual ownership.
• Support and guide the HR team through transition, creating clarity while maintaining momentum in a fast-moving environment.

What success will look like

• A credible, prioritised implementation plan is in place quickly, with risks, dependencies and decisions visible.
• Payroll outsourcing and HR-system delivery progress against clear milestones with appropriate testing and controls.
• The shared-services model has defined accountabilities, workable processes and measurable service expectations.
• Stakeholders understand what is changing, when it is changing and what is required from them.
• New arrangements move into business as usual with stable ownership, documented processes and a controlled handover.

Essential experience

• Proven delivery of an outsourced payroll implementation or significant payroll-provider transition.
• Strong track record of implementing HR systems at pace, including data migration, testing, integrations and go-live.
• Experience establishing, redesigning or leading HR shared services in a changing organisation.
• Demonstrable ownership of complex HR transformation from initial assessment through implementation and stabilisation.
• Experience managing external suppliers and working across HR, finance, technology and operational teams.
• Strong programme management, risk management and senior stakeholder communication skills.
• The ability to move between strategic decisions and detailed delivery without losing momentum or control.

Personal approach

• Practical, decisive and comfortable working with incomplete information.
• Calm under pressure, with the confidence to challenge constructively and ***escalate*** when required.
• Highly organised, transparent and focused on measurable delivery.
• Collaborative and credible with senior leaders, delivery teams and external partners.

Application and confidentiality

This search is being conducted confidentially. Further information about the organisation, location, working pattern and engagement details will be shared with suitable candidates during the process.