SAP Implementation Lead

Our client, a leading global healthcare and consulting organization, is seeking an experienced SAP Implementation Lead to drive the successful delivery of large-scale SAP transformation initiatives across global business functions. The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in end-to-end SAP implementation delivery, S/4HANA transformation programs, stakeholder management, deployment governance, and cross-functional execution within complex enterprise environments. This role will act as the primary bridge between business and technology teams, working closely with the Client's CFO to ensure successful solution design, implementation execution, business readiness, and transition into steady-state operations while maintaining alignment with program objectives and global standards.

This is a contractual role through the end of 2026, with a strong likelihood of extension well into 2027. Candidates must be able to commute to the Client’s on-site Chicago, US office.

• Lead end-to-end SAP implementation activities across financial planning, design, build, testing, deployment, and post-go-live support phases
  
• Ensure financial controls, accounting policies, period-close processes, and reporting requirements are appropriately designed and transitioned into the S/4HANA environment
  
• Support/lead finance process harmonization, chart of accounts alignment, and integration between SAP Finance (FI/CO) and operational modules as part of the enterprise transformation program
  
• Drive SAP S/4HANA transformation initiatives ensuring delivery within scope, timelines, budget, and quality expectations
  
• Partner with business leaders, functional teams, System Integrators, and technical stakeholders to define implementation roadmaps and execution strategy
  
• Translate business requirements into scalable SAP solutions aligned with enterprise architecture and industry best practices
  
• Own implementation governance, status reporting, risk management, and executive stakeholder communication
  
• Facilitate workshops, solution design sessions, decision-making forums, and architecture discussions across business and technology teams
  
• Coordinate deployment planning, environment readiness, cutover activities, and transition into hypercare and stabilization phases
  
• Ensure seamless integration across SAP modules and connected enterprise systems
  
• Support business readiness activities including process alignment, change management, training coordination, and user adoption initiatives
  
• Oversee testing strategy and execution including SIT, UAT, defect management, and release readiness
  
• Establish delivery controls across project milestones, RAID logs, dependencies, and implementation quality assurance
  
• Drive data migration coordination and support governance around system readiness and operational continuity
  
• Provide leadership and mentoring across implementation teams while promoting delivery excellence and continuous improvement
  
• Act as the escalation point for implementation risks, blockers, and critical decisions throughout the project lifecycle
  
• Partner closely with the CFO organization and Finance leadership to support the ECC to SAP S/4HANA upgrade and ensure alignment with financial transformation objectives
  
• Lead finance-related workstreams including General Ledger (GL), Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR), Fixed Assets, and Financial Reporting processes during the S/4HANA implementation
  

• 10+ years of experience delivering SAP implementation and transformation programs
  
• Strong accounting and finance background with experience working closely with CFO and finance stakeholders
  
• Well experienced in monthly and quarterly financial closing
  
• Proven experience leading at least 2–3 full lifecycle SAP implementations, preferably SAP S/4HANA
  
• Strong understanding of SAP implementation methodologies (SAP Activate, Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid delivery models)
  
• Experience managing global deployments and enterprise-scale transformation initiatives
  
• Strong expertise across business process design, solution deployment, and operational readiness
  
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams including Business, IT, Data, Testing, Change, and Integration workstreams
  
• Hands-on understanding of SAP functional landscapes and integration across enterprise applications
  
• Experience supporting cutover planning, hypercare, stabilization, and transition management
  
• Familiarity with testing governance, defect management, and release execution processes
  
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, workshop facilitation, and executive communication skills
  
• Experience supporting ECC to SAP S/4HANA system upgrades with significant Finance (FI/CO) transformation components
  

• Consulting experience within Healthcare, Pharma, Life Sciences, or regulated environments