HR & Payroll Services Functional Lead
Location: Remote (with occasional UK-wide travel)
Type: Permanent
Salary: Competitive + Benefits
Sector: Public Sector / Government Services / Digital Transformation
Are you an experienced HR & Payroll shared services leader with deep expertise in service design and delivery?
We're partnering with a major digital transformation programme delivering critical operational services to a large UK public sector client, and this role sits at the heart of its success.
We're looking for a HR & Payroll Services Functional Lead to lead the design, implementation, and transition of a scalable, user-centric HR and Payroll service model as part of a large-scale, multi-phase programme of service insourcing and transformation.
What You'll Be Doing
As the HR & Payroll Functional Lead, you will:
* Lead the creation and delivery of end-to-end service design for HR & Payroll across all phases of the programme
* Shape a high-level operating model aligned with client expectations, technical capabilities, and third-party providers
* Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of analysts, SMEs, and client stakeholders to iterate and finalise the service blueprint
* Ensure alignment between service design, ERP system capabilities (e.g., Oracle), and the internal delivery model
* Oversee the development of Standard Operating Procedures and ensure these inform training, testing, and operations planning
* Drive the execution of test strategies and transition activities including service dress rehearsals, parallel run exercises, and live cutover
* Support service stabilisation (hypercare) post-go-live and act as a key point of escalation for issue resolution
Key Responsibilities
* Lead service design for HR & Payroll that balances user needs, compliance, and delivery capability
* Act as a subject matter expert in workshops with the client, third parties, and delivery teams to align service components
* Facilitate service forums and ensure collaborative input from stakeholders on evolving service designs
* Minimise bespoke developments by aligning to 'out-of-the-box' solution capabilities wherever possible
* Ensure service design incorporates accessibility standards and government best practices (GDS methodology)
* Support test planning (UAT, BAT) and contribute to training and knowledge transfer materials
* Assist in early operational support including hypercare and floor-walking to ensure smooth adoption of the new service
About You
Essential Experience:
* 5-8+ years of hands-on experience in HR & Payroll service design within large-scale shared services or transformation programmes
* Experience leading multi-party, client-facing implementations in a complex, regulated environment (e.g., public sector or government)
* Strong knowledge of service operating models, transition planning, and testing in ERP environments
* Demonstrable experience with Government Digital Service (GDS) methodology and user-centred service design principles
* Skilled in negotiating with stakeholders, facilitating alignment across clients, delivery teams, and technology partners
* Ability to manage phased transitions and adapt service designs for interim or evolving operational states
* Experience participating in or leading design authority and governance forums
Desirable:
* Involvement in the design or implementation of Oracle Fusion ERP solutions
* Strong appreciation of UX, WCAG 2.2 accessibility standards, and inclusive service delivery
* Familiarity with tools such as Wave (for accessibility testing)
* Experience delivering services with major global consulting or system integration partners
Additional Information
* Please note - this role requires active or full eligibility for Security Clearance (Level 2)
* Remote-first role with occasional UK-wide travel to support programme milestones
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