Project Manager (Payroll & Finance)2 Year Fixed Term Contract

-; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering company is seeking an experienced project manager to join their Finance Business Services PMO team in London. This role focuses on the implementation of an outsourced vendor-managed payroll service, driving project delivery within international finance operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in project management, finance systems, and stakeholder engagement. Excellent communication and organizational skills are essential for success in this dynamic role, which offers the chance to make a significant impact.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Profit sharing

Flexible benefits package

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering complex projects from concept to completion.
• Experience in dynamic, global environments.
• Deep understanding of finance systems, particularly payroll outsourcing.

Responsibilities

• Drive the effective delivery of payroll and finance system projects.
• Execute project deliverables ensuring stakeholder alignment.
• Coordinate internal and external project resources.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Organizational skills

Finance systems understanding

Tools

MS Project

Job description

Joining Arup

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

The Arup people function is undergoing an exciting period of transformation. As we establish our new operating model, we are streamlining our processes and aligning our delivery on a global scale, to ensure that we provide an excellent member experience aligned to our values.

Watch this short clip to discover how Arup are shaping a better world and how you could be a part of it!

The Opportunity

Join our Finance Business Services (FBS) PMO team, a central hub supporting a global change program aligned with Arup's wider Global Finance strategy. This role offers the chance to work closely with FBS functional leaders and make a tangible impact across our international finance community. Initially, you'll focus on supporting the Global Payroll function through the implementation of an outsourced vendor‑managed service project, with scope to expand into broader finance systems initiatives.

Is This Role Right for You?

Are you an experienced project manager with a proven track record of delivering complex projects from concept to completion? Do you thrive in dynamic, global environments and have a deep understanding of finance systems—particularly payroll outsourcing? Are you confident managing stakeholders, influencing decision‑makers, and navigating competing priorities? With strong communication and organisational skills, are you ready to lead cross‑functional teams and drive meaningful change across Arup's finance operations?

Responsibilities

• Drive the effective delivery of payroll and finance system projects across the global Finance community
• Execute project deliverables, ensuring stakeholder alignment and timeline commitment
• Coordinate internal and external project resources and manage dependencies
• Establish and maintain frameworks for planning, scheduling, governance, and risk management
• Monitor progress, resolve issues, and escalate as needed to meet deadlines
• Build strong relationships with business process owners and manage expectations
• Lead project meetings, workshops, and reviews to identify solutions and new ways of working
• Track and report progress within governance frameworks and budget parameters
• Conduct post‑project reviews and ensure smooth handover to business‑as‑usual teams
• Maintain project documentation including briefs, execution plans, logs, and registers
• Capture lessons learned and apply insights to future projects
• Use project management tools (e.g., MS Project, risk analysis, variance analysis) for transparency and oversight

N ot ready to apply just yet, or have a few questions? Contact Rhian Melaney [e-mail]. Please note, to ensure we remain GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member's success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive—through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup's legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you'll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal‑opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you're pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas—this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross‑cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion—we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at http://www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Rhian Melaney [e-mail] to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Our Application Process

To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/.

Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for payment or your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

Recruitment Agencies – We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.

Closing date: 12th December 2025. We may close the role earlier than the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications, so please ensure you apply early.