Project Manager

Aramark Ireland is undertaking a significant workforce transformation programme to modernise payroll and workforce management capabilities across an employee population of more than 8,000 colleagues. The programme will deliver SAP Payroll and UKG Workforce Management capabilities designed to strengthen payroll accuracy, workforce experience, operational efficiency and business resilience.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead this business-critical transformation from design through go-live and hypercare. This is a high-profile, business-facing leadership role for someone who can navigate organisational complexity, build confidence across diverse stakeholder groups and maintain delivery momentum through strong governance, communication and execution.

THIS IS A FIXED TERM CONTRACT.

The successful candidate will combine proven SAP Payroll delivery experience with exceptional stakeholder leadership. They must be equally comfortable engaging executive sponsors, facilitating detailed programme workshops, constructively challenging implementation partners and working closely with Payroll, HR, Finance, Operations and Technology teams.

The Opportunity
Payroll is a critical business service, and the successful delivery of this programme will directly influence employee experience, operational continuity and organisational confidence. The Senior Project Manager will work closely with programme sponsors and senior business leaders to shape delivery, secure timely decisions and ensure that the programme remains aligned to its intended business outcomes.
The role will bring together multiple business and technology workstreams, balancing pace with the control and assurance required for a payroll transformation of this scale. Success will depend as much on communication, judgement and influence as on disciplined project management.

This role requires an experienced transformation leader with direct, relevant SAP Payroll delivery credentials. Candidates must be able to demonstrate:

• A minimum of eight years' project management experience delivering complex enterprise transformation programmes.
• Leadership of at least one end-to-end SAP Payroll implementation or major SAP Payroll transformation programme.
• Payroll transformation experience supporting a workforce of approximately 8,000+ employees.
• Hands-on delivery experience across all project phases, including design, build, testing, payroll parallel runs, cutover, go-live, and hypercare.
• Leadership of complex, multi-workstream programmes involving Payroll, HR, Finance, Operations, and Technology stakeholders.
• Proven experience managing systems integrators, implementation partners, and third-party vendors within structured governance, risk, financial control, and audit frameworks.

Leadership & Communication

Exceptional communication and stakeholder management capability is fundamental to success in this role. The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• The ability to engage effectively with executive leadership, programme governance forums, operational teams, and delivery partners.
• Strong facilitation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• The capability to simplify complex issues and communicate them clearly to diverse audiences.
• The ability to influence decisions and align stakeholders without direct authority.
• Confidence in managing challenging conversations while maintaining constructive and productive relationships.
• Sound judgement in identifying, escalating, and resolving risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Executive presence combined with a practical, hands-on approach to programme delivery.
• A proven ability to build trust, create accountability, and maintain confidence throughout large-scale transformation initiatives.

Highly Desirable Experience

• Experience implementing UKG Workforce Management solutions.
• Experience delivering workforce management, scheduling, time and attendance, or labour management systems.
• Experience within labour-intensive environments such as food services, facilities management, hospitality, retail, or outsourced services.
• Experience supporting multi-company or multi-entity payroll environments.
• SAP HCM, SAP SuccessFactors, or broader SAP transformation experience.

Success in the Role

Success will be demonstrated through:

• Delivery of programme milestones, scope, and agreed business outcomes within approved timelines.
• Stable, accurate, and compliant payroll operations throughout go-live and hypercare phases.
• Effective implementation and adoption of SAP Payroll and UKG Workforce capabilities.
• Strong programme governance, stakeholder engagement, and timely decision-making.
• Proactive management of risks, issues, interdependencies, and partner performance.
• Delivery within approved budget and resource parameters.
• High levels of business readiness, user adoption, and operational continuity.
• Positive stakeholder feedback and confidence from leaders, managers, and employees impacted by the transformation.
• Sustainable controls, processes, and governance arrangements that support long-term programme success.

About Aramark 
Aramark Ireland is a leader in food, facilities, and workplace services, supporting clients across healthcare, education, business, and the public sector. With over 40 years in Ireland and more than 8,000 colleagues across Ireland and Northern Ireland, we are committed to service excellence, innovation, sustainability, and creating meaningful experiences for our clients, colleagues, and communities.  

Aramark is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all candidates.