SAP Implementation Lead - India

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. Candidates must have strong experience with SAP PS (Project Systems). Additionally, candidates must have experience working a SAP S/4HANA transformation for a professional services firm. This role requires strong stakeholder management, deployment governance, and cross-functional execution within complex enterprise environments. In this role, you will provide expertise and global coordination for SAP S/4HANA, especially for SAP PS, FI/CO and Professional Services capabilities.

This is a contractual role well into 2027 and beyond based on performance. Candidates must be able to commute to the Client’s on-site Pune, India office. Working hours are expected to be hybrid of IST/CET hours, based on the Client's needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end SAP implementation activities across planning, design, build, testing, deployment, and post-go-live support phases
  
• 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
  
• Ensure financial controls, accounting policies, period-close processes, and reporting requirements are appropriately designed and transitioned into the S/4HANA environment
  
• Support finance process harmonization, chart of accounts alignment, and integration between SAP Finance (FI/CO) and operational modules as part of the enterprise transformation program
  

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience delivering SAP implementation and transformation programs
  
• At least 1 end-to-end SAP S/4 HANA implementation/ transformation project for a Professional Services Firm.
  
• Strong experience with SAP PS (Project Systems)
  
• 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)
  
• 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
  
• Consulting experience within Healthcare, Pharma, Life Sciences, or regulated environments preferred
  
• Strong accounting and finance background with experience working closely with CFO organizations and finance stakeholders
  
• Experience supporting ECC to SAP S/4HANA system upgrades with significant Finance (FI/CO) transformation components