15+ years of SAP implementation and enterprise transformation experience.
10+ years leading enterprise-scale SAP programs.
8+ years in SAP Cutover, Deployment, or Release Management roles.
Experience with at least three global SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA transformations.
Strong knowledge of SAP Activate Methodology and various deployment approaches.
Responsibilities
Develop and manage the SAP S/4HANA Cutover Strategy and governance.
Define deployment principles for various program types.
Lead cutover activities across multiple implementation waves.
Oversee integrated deployment schedules and readiness activities.
Coordinate with executive sponsors and various stakeholders.
Manage deployment risks and contingency plans.
Ensure organizational readiness and training for end-users.
Benefits
Opportunity to lead global SAP transformation initiatives.
Work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with executive visibility.
International travel opportunities up to 30-50%.
Engagement with diverse teams across multiple regions.
Potential for professional growth and mentorship opportunities.
Full Job Description
Req ID: 395589
We are currently seeking a SAP Cutover Lead to join our team in Plano, Texas (US-TX), United States (US).
Job Description - SAP S/4HANA Cutover Lead
Role Summary
The SAP S/4HANA Cutover Lead is responsible for leading cutover strategy, governance, and execution for SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA transformation programs. The role oversees deployment activities across multiple countries, regions, business units, and legal entities while ensuring business continuity, operational readiness, and successful go-live outcomes.
Day to Day Job Duties: (what this person will do on a daily/weekly basis)
Develop and manage the enterprise-wide SAP S/4HANA Cutover Strategy, governance, standards, and deployment methodology.
Define deployment principles for Greenfield, Brownfield, and Selective Data Transition programs.
Lead cutover activities across multiple implementation waves and coordinate regional Cutover Managers across Americas, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM.
Oversee integrated deployment schedules covering production migrations, SAP transports, data migration, infrastructure readiness, security, integration cutovers, disaster recovery, and Hypercare.
Coordinate with executive sponsors, Global PMO, Enterprise Architecture, Business Transformation, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and System Integration partners.
Manage deployment risks, dependencies, rollback strategies, contingency plans, and business continuity preparedness.
Oversee mock conversions, dress rehearsals, data reconciliation, production migration, environment readiness, and performance validation.
Ensure organizational, business process, end-user training, operational, and Help Desk readiness.
Manage System Integrators, consulting partners, deployment budgets, resources, and contractual commitments.
Lead Hypercare governance, Command Center operations, executive incident escalations, and transition to Application Management Services (AMS).
Build and mentor regional Cutover Leads and Program Managers and promote continuous improvement.
Basic Qualifications: (what are the skills required to this job with minimum years of experience on each)
Minimum 15+ years of SAP implementation and enterprise transformation experience.
Minimum 10+ years of experience leading enterprise-scale SAP programs.
Minimum 8+ years of experience leading SAP Cutover, Deployment, or Release Management organizations.
Experience leading at least three global SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA transformation programs.
Demonstrated success delivering multi-country, multi-wave SAP deployments.
Extensive experience with SAP ECC, SAP S/4HANA, SAP Activate Methodology, and Brownfield, Greenfield, and Selective Data Transition approaches.
Experience with SAP Cloud ALM, SAP Solution Manager, SAP Basis, SAP Landscape Management, SAP Integration Suite, SAP BTP, SAP Fiori, SAP Security and GRC, Data Migration, Master Data Governance, and SAP Analytics and Reporting.
Strong executive presence, strategic planning, global stakeholder management, enterprise risk management, vendor governance, financial management, decision-making, and team leadership skills.
Travel
Willingness to travel internationally up to 30-50% based on deployment schedules.
Ability to support critical cutover weekends, holiday deployments, and extended go-live windows.
Degree
Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
Master's degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred.
Nice to Have (But not a must)
SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP S/4HANA.
SAP Activate Project Manager.
Project Management Professional (PMP).
PgMP (Program Management Professional).
PRINCE2 Practitioner.
ITIL Foundation or Managing Professional.
SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) or SAFe Agilist.
Prosci Change Management Certification.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Successful execution of global cutover plans and on-time delivery of implementation waves.
Production deployments completed within approved downtime windows.
Minimal business disruption during go-live.
Successful completion of executive go/no-go readiness reviews.
Achievement of Hypercare exit criteria within planned timelines.
Reduced post-go-live incidents, effective budget management, and standardized cutover processes across regions.
Work Environment
Executive-facing role supporting a global SAP transformation program.
Requires coordination across multiple time zones and international teams.
Operates in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment with executive-level visibility and accountability.
Min/Required Qualification:
Minimum 15+ years of SAP implementation and enterprise transformation experience.
Minimum 10+ years of experience leading enterprise-scale SAP programs.
Minimum 8+ years of experience leading SAP Cutover, Deployment, or Release Management organizations.
#LI-NorthAmerica
About NTT DATA Services
NTT DATA Corporation is a Japanese multinational information technology service and consulting company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is partially-owned subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone.
Japan Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation, a predecessor of NTT, started Data Communications business in 1967. NTT, following its privatization in 1985, spun off the Data Communications division as NTT DATA in 1988, which has now become the largest of the IT Services companies headquartered in Japan.
