Interim HCM Workstream Lead

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