SAP Implementation Manager

Local Implementation Manager – SAP Transformation. Abu Dhabi. Industry: Enterprise Transformation / SAP. Focus: SAP Implementation | Business Readiness | Change Management. 12-month initial contract - with extensions. Are you an experienced transformation professional with a strong background in SAP implementations, business process improvement and stakeholder management? We're working with a leading organisation in the UAE undergoing a major SAP transformation programme, and we're looking for a Local Implementation Manager to play a pivotal role in ensuring a successful business rollout. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys bridging the gap between business operations and technology, driving change and ensuring organisations are fully prepared for new systems and ways of working. Key Responsibilities: Lead and coordinate business readiness activities throughout the SAP implementation lifecycle. Act as the primary point of contact between business stakeholders and the central SAP programme team. Gather, validate and prioritise business requirements, ensuring alignment with standard SAP processes. Manage local implementation plans, key deliverables, dependencies and stakeholder expectations. Drive business change management, communication, training coordination and user adoption. Oversee data readiness activities, including data cleansing, validation and migration preparation. Coordinate User Acceptance Testing (UAT), defect resolution and business sign-offs. Lead business cutover planning, go-live readiness and post-implementation hypercare. Identify and manage implementation risks, operational challenges and dependencies. Work closely with senior leadership, functional teams, IT and external SAP implementation partners. What We're Looking For: Proven experience in SAP implementation, ERP transformation, business change or operational readiness. Strong understanding of end-to-end business processes and operational requirements. Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and managing senior business stakeholders. Hands-on involvement in UAT, data migration readiness, training coordination, cutover or go-live activities. Strong business process mapping, requirements gathering and problem-solving skills. Experience managing implementation risks, dependencies and business readiness plans. Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills. Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, IT, Engineering, Operations or a related discipline. Nice to Have: Experience supporting large-scale SAP transformation programmes. Knowledge of SAP-enabled business processes and enterprise operations. Certifications in Project Management, Change Management, Business Analysis or SAP Transformation. Experience working with SAP implementation partners and external technology vendors. Understanding of business controls, regulatory requirements and operational continuity. Why Consider This Opportunity? You'll play a key role in a major enterprise transformation, working closely with business leaders and technology teams to ensure the successful adoption of SAP across the organisation. This is a business-facing implementation role, not a hands-on technical SAP position. We're looking for someone who understands how to manage change, engage stakeholders and translate transformation plans into successful operational outcomes.