Senior Program Manager, SAP S/4HANA Implementation

SES is embarking on an ambitious transformation journey to migrate our legacy SAP ECC platform to S/4HANA. Our intention is to adopt a largely greenfield approach in terms of adopting standard S/4HANA workflows and methodologies wherever possible. The roll-out to all parts of the group is scheduled to be completed by 2027.

To lead the business input to this challenging and vital programme, SES is looking for an experienced, capable Business Programme Manager (‘BPM’), who will be responsible for the overall execution of the S/4HANA programme from a business perspective. The BPM will drive all programme business activities from blueprinting through to the completed roll-out of the S/4HANA platform. 

They will plan and successfully execute the programme in close partnership with SES’s IT Project Manager and the selected third-party strategic implementation partner.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS

• Help select and onboard a strategic implementation partner and coordinate a comprehensive, and timely, blueprinting process covering the needs of the combined SES / Intelsat group 
• Ensure the business requirements are understood and documented, and that necessary business decisions are identified and taken on a timely basis in the blueprinting process
• Ensure that the phases of the project are properly defined, scoped and resourced for success and that all actions are in place to deliver the S/4HANA programme to specification and on time
• Identify, manage and escalate as needed, any identified risks to the effectiveness or timely delivery of the programme
• Identify, review and submit for approval any necessary change requests for scope, schedule and cost whilst pursuing a greenfield, non-customised approach to workflows wherever possible
• Coordinate the key governance forums such as weekly programme leadership meetings, programme workshops and all-hands meetings, as well as Steering Committee and sponsor meetings
• Lead and motivate a team of process specialists and subject matter experts to not only deliver excellence in the programme outcome, but also as an element of their own professional development
• Maintain the programme budget and provide ongoing analysis of the financial development
• Bring the skills and a mindset of applying continuous improvement, automation and relevant AI tools to deliver the most effective way of working
• Work closely with the SES Transformation team in defining both internal and external business communications for the group’s staff and impacted third-parties such as customers vendors

COMPETENCIES

• A genuine specialist in business transformation projects implementing S/4HANA – including relevant business process areas for this specific programme, scoping, phasing and resourcing. 
• Able to communicate clearly with, and motivate, a team of people to collaborate effectively and deliver great results – and also to provide open and transparent feedback to senior management. 
• Experience in dealing with internal and external IT teams both onsite and remote / offshore. 
• Autonomous, managing timelines and expectations and producing high quality deliverables. 
• Analytical insight in identifying project risks and presenting mitigation strategies. 
• Expertise in project management and execution methodologies  

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in information technology, Engineering, Finance. 
• 10+ years’ experience in SAP project management in both consulting and customer organizations, in international and multicultural environments. 
• Successful track record in end-to-end S/4HANA implementations in large organizations (TMT sector an advantage) 
• Operational experience in leading and managing financial functions will be an added advantage. 
• PM / Agile certifications an advantage. 
• Fluency both written and spoken in English