Change Lead – Payroll Programme

Arriva Group; oThongathi; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A large transport services organization in KwaZulu-Natal is seeking an experienced Change Lead to support the implementation of the iTrent payroll system. The ideal candidate should have proven experience in leading change within large-scale payroll implementations, strong stakeholder management skills, and a background in operationally complex environments. This role offers the opportunity to drive sustainable change and ensure successful project adoption.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading change within large-scale Payroll implementations.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience working in operationally complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a comprehensive change management strategy aligned to the iTrent implementation.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across divisions.
• Act as the change champion within the programme team.

Skills

Change management experience

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

Arriva is one of the largest transport services organisations in Europe, employing more than 60,000 people and delivering more than 2.2 billion passenger journeys across 14 European countries every year. We have strong roots dating back to 1938, an ambitious growth agenda, and a continuously developing relationship with I Squared who acquired Arriva in 2024.

Arriva UK is embarking on a strategic transformation of its Payroll system, implementing iTrent across its UK Bus and UK Trains operations. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Change Lead to support this critical programme, ensuring successful adoption, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable change across diverse operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Change Strategy & Planning
  • Deliver a comprehensive change management strategy aligned to the iTrent implementation roadmap.
  • Conduct impact assessments of future go-live tranches and readiness evaluations across business units.
  • Define further and track change KPIs and success metrics.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across Bus and Train divisions, including HR, Operations, Finance, and IT.
  • Facilitate already designed workshops, briefings, and feedback sessions to ensure alignment and buy-in.
• Communication & Training
  • Execute targeted communication plans alongside the Director of Communications to support awareness and engagement.
  • Ensure end-user support mechanisms are in place post go-live.
• Change Delivery
  • Act as the change champion within the programme team, ensuring business needs are reflected in delivery.
  • Support local managers and users in embedding new ways of working.
  • Monitor adoption and resistance, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Collaboration & Governance
  • Work closely with the iTrent project team, including technical leads, HR SMEs, and external vendors.
  • Provide regular updates to programme governance forums and senior leadership.

Essential

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Proven experience in leading change within large-scale Payroll implementations (preferably iTrent or similar).
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience working in unionised, operationally complex environments.
• Knowledge of HR processes and systems.

Desirable

• Experience in transport or logistics sectors.
• Formal change management qualification
• Familiarity with Arriva’s organisational structure and culture.

Success criteria and indicators

Successful project implementation through successful adoption, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable change across diverse operational environments.

Stakeholder relationships

Project Teams, Senior Managers, Finance Partners and more.

This job description sets out the main duties and responsibilities of the job-holder. It does not constitute an exhaustive or comprehensive description of duties and the job holder will be required to carry out any additional tasks as and when requested to do so by their manager. Responsibilities and duties may also change in light of future business needs and personal development.