HCM Lead
12 month contract
Outside IR35
Pearse Professionals are supporting a leading professional services business to source an Interim HCM Workstream Lead to support a major ERP, HR and EPM transformation programme. The organisation is implementing a new HR and Finance platform, currently in final vendor selection as part of a broader transformation programme covering Finance, HR, and Enterprise Performance Management.
The HCM Workstream Lead will own the people systems element of the programme end-to-end, working alongside the Programme Director, HR leadership, and an external implementation consultancy. Internal HR team members will be seconded in to support the workstream.
This is a senior, highly visible role within the programme. The successful candidate will be the primary point of accountability for HR system design, configuration, testing, and deployment.
The Role
* Lead the HCM workstream from current-state process review through to go-live
* Define HR system requirements in partnership with HR leadership and People Operations teams
* Own configuration, testing, and sign-off of all HCM modules — including core HR, payroll integration, talent, and absence management as applicable
* Manage workstream plan, risks, and dependencies within the wider programme governance structure
* Act as the primary liaison between the HR function, the implementation consultancy, and the programme team
* Support data migration planning for employee and organisational data
* Drive user acceptance testing and training readiness for HR stakeholders
* Ensure the system is configured to meet UK regulatory, payroll, and compliance requirements
Key Requirements
* Proven experience leading an HCM workstream on a full-cycle Workday or NetSuite implementation
* Strong understanding of core HR processes — org design, employee lifecycle, payroll integration, talent management
* Ability to work effectively across HR, Finance, and IT stakeholders in a complex programme environment
* Experience managing external implementation partners and holding them to account on delivery
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills — this is a people-facing role as much as a technical one
* Personality fit matters. The Programme Director values relationship quality and cultural alignment alongside technical credentials.
* Full programme commitment is expected — candidates who cannot commit to the programme duration will not be considered