Cutover Manager

Cutover Manager – SRS Transformation (Ellucian Banner SaaS)

Rate: £550–£600 per day

Contract: 6 months

Location: London (1 day per week onsite)

Overview

We’re looking for a Cutover Manager to own end-to-end cutover and go-live delivery for a major Student Records System transformation.

This is a high-pressure, highly structured role focused on planning, rehearsals and execution. You’ll coordinate across technical, data and business teams to ensure a smooth, controlled transition from legacy systems to a SaaS platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end cutover strategy and detailed delivery plan
• Sequence and coordinate all cutover activities across workstreams
• Lead cutover rehearsals and refine plans based on outcomes
• Coordinate data migration activities (extract, transform, load, validation)
• Align closely with the vendor on SaaS deployment constraints and timelines
• Ensure environments, integrations and dependent systems are go-live ready
• Define clear runbooks, roles and responsibilities for execution
• Manage the live cutover window – tracking progress, issues and decisions
• Drive business readiness (training, access, support, handover)
• Manage risks, dependencies and reporting into governance
• Define go/no-go criteria and provide clear readiness recommendations

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience owning end-to-end cutover (planning → rehearsals → go-live)
• Experience delivering large system implementations (ERP, SaaS, transformation)
• Strong experience coordinating data migration during cutover
• Experience working in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Ability to manage high-pressure delivery phases with control and clarity

Highly desirable:

• Higher Education or similar complex environments
• Student records / student information systems
• Ellucian Banner (preferred) or Tribal SITS
• Experience working within vendor-managed SaaS models

Success Looks Like

• Well-defined, executable cutover plan aligned to programme timelines
• Successful rehearsals with clear improvements applied
• Smooth, controlled go-live with minimal business disruption
• Clear visibility of readiness, risks and dependencies
• Strong coordination across vendor, technical and business teams

A critical role at the centre of go-live delivery, ensuring a smooth transition into live service and setting the programme up for success.