Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly experienced and self-directed Senior IT Specialist at the Independent Contributor level to act as a Project Manager for critical Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation initiatives and provide level 2 support for existing applications such as the Budgeting and Forecasting system. This role requires a blend of deep technical understanding of enterprise resource planning systems, strong project management acumen, and a comprehensive grasp of financial processes. The successful candidate will independently drive project success from initiation to closure, ensuring on-time, on-budget, and high-quality delivery of complex ERP solutions that align with business objectives.

Responsibilities:

Project Leadership & Management:

Independently plan, execute, and finalize complex ERP implementation projects according to strict deadlines and within budget.
Define project scope, goals, and deliverables in collaboration with senior management and stakeholders.
Develop full-scale project plans, including detailed tasks, resource allocation, and timelines.
Effectively communicate project expectations to team members and stakeholders in a timely and clear fashion.
Identify and manage project dependencies and critical path items.
Proactively manage changes in project scope, identify potential crises, and devise contingency plans.
Coach, mentor, motivate, and supervise project team members and contractors, and influence them to take positive action and accountability for their assigned work.
Conduct project post-mortems and create a recommendations report in order to identify successful and unsuccessful project elements.
Oversee and manage project budgets, ensuring financial adherence and reporting.

ERP System Expertise:

Possess a deep functional understanding of at least one major ERP system (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Sage Accpac).
Translate complex business requirements into technical specifications and solution designs.
Guide the configuration, customization, testing, and deployment of ERP modules related to General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Assets, Cash Management, Budgeting, and Financial Reporting.
Understand integration points between Finance ERP and other enterprise systems.

Stakeholder Management & Communication:

Serve as the primary IT liaison between business finance teams, external vendors, and internal technical teams.
Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across finance, operations, and IT.
Communicate project status, risks, and issues clearly and concisely to all levels of the organization, including executive leadership.
Facilitate workshops and meetings to gather requirements, validate designs, and drive consensus.

Risk Management & Quality Assurance:

Identify and mitigate project risks and issues proactively.
Ensure adherence to internal IT standards, best practices, and regulatory compliance.
Oversee comprehensive testing strategies (unit, integration, user acceptance) to ensure solution quality and data integrity.
Develop and implement change management strategies to ensure successful adoption of new systems and processes.

Documentation & Knowledge Transfer:

Ensure all project documentation is complete, accurate, and up-to-date (e.g., project plans, scope documents, design specifications, test plans, training materials).
Facilitate knowledge transfer to support teams and end-users post-implementation.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in IT, with at least 2 years specifically managing Finance ERP implementation projects.
Proven track record of successfully delivering at least 1 full-cycle Finance ERP implementations as a Project Manager or Lead.
Strong understanding of financial accounting principles and processes (e.g., GL, AP, AR, FA, Cost Accounting, Financial Reporting).
Excellent project management skills.
Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate at all levels.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for detail.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications: