Cutover Programme Manager
Initial 12 Month FTC
Coventry/Manchester
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Cutover Programme Manager to lead the end-to-end cutover planning and execution for a complex Workday migration programme. This role will oversee the transition from legacy back-office systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP, PeopleSoft, etc.) to Workday, ensuring business continuity, risk mitigation, and minimal disruption during go-live.
You will work cross-functionally with Workday implementation partners, business teams (HR, Finance, IT), system integrators, and technical teams to coordinate the readiness, execution, and stabilization phases of cutover.
---
Key Responsibilities:
* Develop and own the overall cutover strategy and integrated cutover plan across workstreams.
* Lead the cutover planning process, including defining scope, key milestones, Go/No-Go criteria, and critical path.
* Coordinate the sequencing of data migration, configuration, testing, training, and go-live support activities.
* Act as a single point of accountability for cutover execution across business and technical teams.
* Identify, assess, and manage cutover-related risks, dependencies, and issues.
* Chair daily/weekly cutover readiness meetings and Go/No-Go checkpoints.
* Align with business leads and operational owners to ensure business readiness.
* Work closely with Workday partners and internal stakeholders to ensure all systems, interfaces, and processes are ready for transition.
* Define and manage dry run cycles, mock cutovers, and rollback strategies.
* Ensure that post go-live hypercare and early life support plans are robust and resourced appropriately.
* Produce cutover status reports and stakeholder updates at executive and programme level.
Required Skills and Experience:
* Proven experience as a Cutover Manager on at least one large-scale Workday implementation or migration, ideally across multiple functional areas (HR, Finance, Payroll).
* Strong background in ERP or SaaS system cutovers, with understanding of back-office systems and integrations.
* Expertise in cutover methodologies, including mock runs, blackout periods, and contingency planning.
* Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, including ability to influence senior executives.
* Experience in coordinating cross-functional teams across business and IT.
* Strong project and programme management skills – planning, execution, governance, and risk control.
* Familiarity with data migration concepts and tools.
* Ability to work under pressure in fast-paced transformation environments.
Key Deliverables:
Cutover Strategy & Plan
Integrated Cutover Schedule
Go/No-Go Criteria
Mock Cutover Execution Reports
Cutover Risk & Issue Logs
Hypercare Plan & Handover Documents