Senior / Application Specialist (1 Year Contract)

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.

Qualifications

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:

• PMP, PRINCE2, or other relevant project management certification.
• Experience with cloud-based ERP solutions.
• Familiarity with data migration strategies and tools.
• Experience in Healthcare or non-profit organizations.