ERP Transformation Lead (3-year FTC)

Purpose:

To direct the end-to-end implementation and managed services of the firm’s Finance ERP cloud migration and related systems and business transformation, aligning technology delivery with Finance and fee-earner requirements and business priorities, including regulatory and compliance considerations. The role establishes programme governance, leads internal and external delivery teams, manages implementation risks and dependencies, and drives operational readiness, user adoption and the achievement of agreed business benefits. It provides the central delivery leadership between the executive sponsor, management board, Partners, Finance, IT, implementation partners and system users.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Substantial senior leadership experience directing complex ERP or financial systems implementations through go-live and stabilisation.
• Proven delivery of cloud migrations, systems integrations and business process transformation.
• Experience establishing governance and leading multidisciplinary teams and implementation partners in environments with competing priorities.
• Demonstrated executive influence, supplier and contract oversight, budget accountability, change leadership and benefits delivery.
• Strong understanding of Finance processes and enterprise technology; able to challenge solutions with technical specialists.
• Elite 3E and law firm or professional services experience advantageous.
• Relevant degree in Information Systems, IT, Engineering, Business Management, Finance or a related discipline.
• Recognised programme or project management qualification advantageous.
• Postgraduate business or technology qualification advantageous.

Key Accountabilities:

Programme Strategy and Delivery

• Take accountability for delivery across the full implementation lifecycle, from validation of the business case and existing work through to stabilisation and benefits review.
• Establish an integrated roadmap with clear outcomes, milestones, workstream ownership, resource commitments and dependencies.
• Direct workstream leaders and resolve competing priorities, capacity constraints and delivery blockers.
• Select a delivery approach suited to the implementation, combining iterative feedback with appropriate controls and stage approvals.

Finance Requirements and Transformation

• Lead validation of business requirements, expected benefits and priorities with Finance owners and system users, including relevant legal teams.
• Challenge existing processes and proposed solutions to improve efficiency, controls, reporting and the user experience.
• Ensure functional and non-functional requirements are agreed and traceable through design, testing and acceptance.
• Secure accountable business ownership of process decisions and acceptance criteria.

ERP Technology and Cloud Delivery

• Direct the transition from the on-premises Elite 3E environment to the cloud and the delivery of related systems changes within approved scope.
• Work with IT architecture, infrastructure, security and application specialists to evaluate technical options and cloud readiness.
• Challenge implementation proposals and ensure integrations, reporting, existing customisations and support arrangements are addressed.
• Ensure technical decisions and trade-offs are assessed against business needs, risks and sustainable operation, with specialist approvals retained by the responsible owners.

Data Migration and Assurance

• Establish the data migration strategy, ownership, quality thresholds and validation approach with Finance, IT and implementation partners.
• Direct preparation, cleansing, migration rehearsals and reconciliation activities across workstreams.
• Require evidence of data completeness and accuracy and resolve critical migration issues before recommending progression.
• Ensure security, confidentiality and access requirements are incorporated into migration planning.

Testing Cutover and Go Live

• Set the testing and quality assurance approach across integrations, Finance processes, reporting and user acceptance.
• Hold workstream leaders and suppliers accountable for defect resolution and evidenced readiness.
• Direct cutover planning, continuity arrangements, contingency measures and readiness reviews.
• Present an evidence-based go-live recommendation to the sponsor and agreed governance forum; secure required business and technical sign-offs.

Executive Stakeholders and Implementation Partners

• Build alignment between the executive sponsor, Finance, IT, partners and other affected stakeholders.
• Influence senior decision-makers, challenge unrealistic commitments and elevate blockers with options, impacts and recommendations.
• Lead supplier delivery relationships and oversee contractual commitments, milestones and performance within delegated authority.
• Integrate external partners into the delivery model and provide clear, timely executive reporting on progress, risks and decisions required.

Change Communication and Adoption

• Own the programme change and communication strategy, integrating specialists into delivery from the outset.
• Ensure stakeholder impacts, engagement needs, training requirements and resistance are identified and addressed.
• Direct a practical communication and readiness plan tailored to Finance, legal teams and other system users.
• Hold workstreams accountable for user preparation and measure adoption and operational readiness against agreed criteria

Governance Commercial Control and Risk

• Establish programme governance, decision rights, escalation routes, scope controls and reporting standards.
• Manage the approved programme budget, forecasts and resource allocation within delegated authority; seek approval for material changes.
• Take ownership of programme risks, issues and dependencies, ensuring corrective action and timely sponsor decisions.
• Ensure accountable specialists review financial controls, security, access and compliance requirements throughout delivery.

Stabilisation Benefits and Handover

• Direct post-go-live stabilisation, support priorities and resolution of critical operational issues.
• Secure a structured handover to Finance and IT owners, including documentation, capability transfer and support responsibilities.
• Agree measurable benefits with business owners and track outcomes such as process efficiency, reporting improvements and user adoption.
• Confirm programme closure criteria and capture lessons and remaining improvement opportunities.

Systems Improvement Automation and AI

• Identify opportunities to improve connected Finance systems and processes as part of the agreed transformation roadmap.
• Evaluate automation, analytics and approved AI opportunities against business value, feasibility, data readiness and implementation priorities.
• Ensure proposed enhancements are governed through the approved scope and investment process.
• Apply the firm’s confidentiality, security and data handling requirements, with human review of AI-assisted outputs.

Competencies:

• Critical Judgement
• Interactive Communication
• Problem Solving
• Impact and Influence
• Adaptability
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Financial Systems, Processes and Technology
• ERP and cloud implementation leadership
• Programme governance and assurance
• Finance process transformation
• Systems integration and data migration
• Supplier and commercial management
• Change leadership and adoption
• Benefits realisation

"Bowmans is committed to achieving the objectives set in its transformation charter, and the targets in its employment equity plan. All recruitment decisions will be taken with due consideration being given to these objectives"

#J-18808-Ljbffr