We are seeking a highly experienced Programme Manager to lead a complex SAP S/4HANA programme with a strong Finance focus within a large retail organisation.

This role is a contract role, onsite based in Cape Town. 

The successful candidate will take ownership of an established programme approaching its first go-live, manage the transition into subsequent phases and maintain delivery momentum across approximately 106 functional processes. The role requires deep SAP S/4HANA delivery experience, strong Finance knowledge and the confidence to engage directly with executives and detailed functional stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Assume programme ownership through a structured handover, validating delivery plans, outstanding decisions, risks and readiness.

• Lead delivery through the first go-live and subsequent programme phases.

• Coordinate Finance, business, technology, implementation partners and functional workstreams.

• Maintain an integrated programme plan covering dependencies, resources, milestones and critical delivery activities.

• Ensure functional process requirements, integration points and business impacts are understood and managed.

• Oversee testing, defect resolution, data migration readiness, cutover planning and business readiness.

• Drive go-live governance, hypercare planning and transition into operational support.

• Build trusted relationships with executive sponsors and functional stakeholders.

• Provide clear executive reporting and secure timely decisions on risks, scope and priorities.

• Maintain strong delivery discipline while taking a hands-on approach to resolving issues.

Essential Requirements

• At least seven years of relevant project or programme management experience, supported by substantial SAP S/4HANA delivery experience.

• Proven leadership of complex SAP S/4HANA implementations through go-live.

• Strong Finance process knowledge and experience coordinating SAP Finance delivery.

• Experience managing large programmes with multiple functional processes, workstreams and integration dependencies.

• Proven delivery experience with CIO or C-suite executive sponsors.

• Ability to take over an established programme close to go-live and quickly establish credibility.

• Exceptional attention to detail and confidence engaging demanding functional stakeholders.

• Strong governance, risk management, testing and cutover coordination skills.

• Willingness to work onsite four days per week and accommodate executive schedules.

Preferred Experience

• Retail experience is highly valued.

• Experience delivering phased SAP rollouts and managing implementation partners.

• Candidates without retail experience must demonstrate strong executive engagement and a substantial SAP S/4HANA and Finance delivery record.