Software Implementation Project Manager

Software Implementation Project Manager

Aylesford, Kent
Six-month fixed-term contract
£70,000 per annum, pro rata
Immediate start preferred
Potential extension depending on project requirements

- Have you successfully managed the implementation of third-party software within a complex organisation?

- Are you good at bringing internal teams, Business Analysts and external software providers together?

- Can you provide structure, momentum and accountability without unnecessary bureaucracy?

If so, this could be an excellent opportunity to take ownership of an important business systems rollout already underway.

Our client is implementing Acumatica, a cloud-based business management and ERP platform. The finance phase is complete and the next stage will focus on the wider manufacturing and operational rollout.

The project is already in progress and has an experienced Business Analyst who has played a central role throughout. The appointed software partner will continue to lead technical delivery. They now need an experienced Software Implementation Project Manager to bring all sides of the project together.

You will provide the organisation, coordination and forward planning required to keep the implementation moving, while enabling the Business Analyst to concentrate on requirements, workshops, testing and the functional detail of the solution.

This is not a role for somebody who wants to redesign the implementation methodology or take control of the technical solution. It requires a pragmatic and collaborative Project Manager who can engage the right people and ensure actions, decisions and resources are in place at the right time.

Your role

You will act as the central point of coordination between internal teams, the Business Analyst, senior stakeholders and the external Acumatica implementation partner.

The implementation partner has an established delivery methodology and will provide guidance around the technical work required. Your responsibility will be to make sure the organisation is ready to meet those requirements.

This will involve securing the right resources, following up actions, removing blockers and maintaining a clear view of the delivery plan. You will also ensure areas such as data, reporting, testing, training and business readiness are prepared in sufficient time.

Your responsibilities will include

• Reviewing the current position and what has already been completed
• Maintaining the overall project plan, milestones and delivery schedule
• Coordinating internal teams, the Business Analyst and implementation partner
• Ensuring actions have clear owners and realistic completion dates
• Following up actions and removing blockers
• Securing resources for workshops, testing, training and implementation activity
• Maintaining risks, issues, actions, dependencies and decisions
• Providing visibility of deadlines and resource requirements
• Coordinating data, reporting and operational readiness
• Supporting testing, training and go-live planning
• Providing clear updates to the project steering board
• Escalating significant risks, delays and decisions
• Monitoring project expenditure and supplier time
• Maintaining a productive relationship with the implementation partner

What we are looking for

You will have strong experience managing software implementation or business systems projects.

Previous ERP or Acumatica experience would be useful but is not essential. More important is your ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders, maintain control of project activity and work successfully with an experienced third-party software provider.

You should be able to demonstrate:

• Experience managing third-party software implementation projects
• Strong project planning, organisation and coordination skills
• Experience maintaining project plans, action trackers, risks and issues
• The ability to take over a project already underway
• Experience working with external software vendors or implementation partners
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience coordinating workshops, testing, training and go-live readiness
• Confidence reporting to senior stakeholders or a steering board
• Excellent communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Confidence challenging delays or missed commitments constructively
• Commercial understanding of supplier time, project cost and scope

A formal project management qualification is not essential. Practical experience, judgement and the ability to get people working together will be more important.

The right approach

The successful person will be structured without being bureaucratic and assertive without being confrontational. You will need to be comfortable working within an established implementation approach, listening to the specialists involved and keeping everybody focused on the shared outcome.

The Business Analyst will remain central to the project and will continue to lead much of the requirements, workshop, testing and functional activity. Your role is to take ownership of the wider plan, coordination, actions, reporting and stakeholder engagement.

Desirable experience

It would be advantageous if you have experience of:

- ERP or wider business management software

- Manufacturing, finance or operational systems

- Data migration and system integration projects

- Hybrid or waterfall implementation methodologies

- Organisational change and user adoption

- Recovering or stabilising a delayed project

What success will look like

During the six-month contract, you will be expected to establish a reliable project plan, create clear ownership of actions, improve coordination with the implementation partner, ensure internal teams are ready for workshops, testing and training, give the steering board a consistent view of progress and support the successful rollout of the remaining Acumatica functionality.