Finance Transformation Project Manager

Job Title: Finance Transformation Project Manager

Location: Farnborough (Hybrid)         

Salary: Up to £80,000 Depending on Experience

Contract type: 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

#LI-Hybrid

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced Finance Transformation Project Manager on a 12 Month Fixed Term Contract basis to lead a major transformation of our finance function, platforms and processes through the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O).

This is a high-profile, end-to-end ERP transformation that will see the organisation move from legacy Sage systems to a modern, scalable finance platform. You’ll take ownership of a complex, multi-workstream programme, bringing together finance, technology, our implementation partner and key business stakeholders to deliver a successful transition.

You’ll be at the heart of the transformation providing strong programme leadership, governance and risk management while ensuring the business remains operational throughout and, critically, that people are engaged, prepared and ready to embrace the new way of working.

This is an exciting opportunity for a delivery-focused project leader to shape how finance operates for the future, ensuring the programme is delivered on time, within budget and with measurable benefits that realise the business case.

Please note that this is a Hybrid role with onsite requirement in our Farnborough office 3 days a week and occasional travel to our various locations across the UK. You must be able to commute to the office and have your own transport.

What you’ll do

As Finance Transformation Project Manager, you will take a leading role in delivering this transformation project, working across finance, technology and the wider business to ensure the programme delivers lasting improvements to processes, controls and ways of working. Core responsibilities will include:

Programme Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the Finance Transformation Programme from the current scoping phase through design, implementation, go-live, hyper care and transition into BAU.
• Develop and maintain an integrated programme plan covering all workstreams, milestones, dependencies, deliverables and critical paths, working closely with the implementation partner.
• Coordinate activity across Finance, Procurement, Operations, IT and other business functions to ensure effective and timely delivery.
• Ensure the programme is delivered to agreed scope, timescales, budget and quality standards.

Stakeholder & Partner Management

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with executive sponsors, Finance leadership, operational teams, technology stakeholders and the Microsoft implementation partner.
• Act as the central point of coordination across the programme, ensuring clear communication, alignment and accountability.
• Chair project and stakeholder meetings, providing clear updates on progress, risks, issues, dependencies, decisions and required actions.
• Manage the implementation partner against the agreed Statement of Work, ensuring deliverables, milestones and quality expectations are met while maintaining a positive and productive partnership.

ERP Implementation & Governance

• Establish and maintain robust programme governance, reporting and controls throughout the transformation.
• Drive adherence to agreed project methodology, governance standards and delivery best practice.
• Oversee key implementation phases including design and build, data migration, testing, go-live, hyper care and transition to BAU.
• Establish clear stage gates and review processes, ensuring deliverables are appropriately reviewed, accepted and signed off.
• Maintain effective change control, ensuring scope changes are assessed, documented and appropriately approved.

Finance Process Transformation

• Work closely with Finance leadership and business teams to review, standardise and optimise processes across areas including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Credit Control, Procurement, Purchasing and Financial Reporting.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual activity, improve controls, introduce automation and deliver greater operational efficiency through D365 F&O.
• Ensure the future-state solution supports the organisation’s strategic objectives and delivers the improvements identified in the business case.

Business Readiness, Change & Adoption

• Develop and deliver a comprehensive business change, communications and engagement strategy.
• Ensure the organisation is fully prepared for implementation and the transition to new systems and ways of working.
• Coordinate user acceptance testing, training, communications and adoption activities across impacted teams.
• Work with stakeholders to identify and address barriers to adoption, ensuring users are confident and equipped to work effectively in the new environment.
• Support a smooth transition through go-live and hyper care, with minimal disruption to business operations.

Risk, Issue & Dependency Management

• Maintain and actively manage programme RAID logs, ensuring risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies are clearly documented and owned.
• Identify emerging risks and delivery challenges early, putting appropriate mitigation and contingency plans in place.
• Escalate significant risks and issues promptly and effectively, providing clear recommendations and options for resolution.
• Maintain strong visibility of programme dependencies and their potential impact on delivery.

Measures of Success

• Keep the programme focused on delivering the outcomes and benefits set out in the original business case.
• Establish and track measures of success, including delivery against budget and timeline, business continuity, user adoption and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Work with business leaders to ensure benefits are embedded into BAU and that improvements are sustained beyond implementation.

What we are looking for?

Essential

• Proven track record delivering at least two enterprise ERP / finance platform implementations.
• Led Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations or equivalent ERP transformation programme
• Experience managing finance transformation projects within a multi-entity organisation.
• Strong understanding of finance operations and accounting processes.
• Experience managing third-party implementation partners and system integrators.
• Proven delivery of business change programmes.
• Demonstrable experience of programme governance, risk management, budgeting, and executive reporting.
• Experience managing data migration and integration workstreams.

Desirable

• Experience migrating from Sage 50 / 200 or similar legacy finance platforms.
• Experience within a Managed Service Provider (MSP), technology, telecoms, or professional services environment.
• Exposure to procurement, supply chain, subscription billing, or service-based revenue models.
• Experience working with an SME, preferably private equity-backed or acquisitive businesses.

ARO has 25 years’ experience in Collaboration, Connectivity, Cloud and Infrastructure and Cyber Security services both in the UK and Internationally and has a nationwide presence with offices across the UK.

As one of the UK’s leading independent IT and communication experts our mission is to deliver a seamless technology experience to all end users. To make that vision a reality, we need bright, tenacious and inspiring talent to help drive our performance, growth and achieve this mission.

To make us successful we focus on strong communication, a culture based on fun, trust and collaboration. We have created a modern workplace environment, which is full of engaged, energetic, positive and curious people whose productivity, resilience and wellbeing allow them to thrive.

In 2021 we were awarded the People Insight’s Outstanding Workplace Award, which celebrates organisations building positive workplace cultures and acting on employee feedback to spark positive change. 

At ARO we are committed to creating an excellent employee experience. Our employees, culture and additional benefits all make ARO a great place to work. Come join us!

We offer a wide range of benefits and incentives to our employees including:

💰 Company Pension Scheme and matching contributions

🎁 Company Perks portal

🏥 Private Medical insurance

🛡️ Life assurance

✈️ 25 days holiday plus bank holidays plus holiday trading

🎂 Your Birthday off, on us

💪 Health Club and Wellbeing Scheme

📈 ARO Shares after 12 months employment

🤝 Employee Assistance Programme

💻 Technical Training Academy and E-learning

💼 Hybrid working

If even 80% of this matches your experience and attributes, we would be delighted to hear from you.