Interim Sage Intacct Implementation Lead

Hays • Contract • Remote (Blackburn, Lancashire, GB) • 1d ago

Your new company
You will be joining a large and complex Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) undertaking a critical transformation of its finance function through the implementation of Sage Intacct. The organisation operates across multiple entities and is committed to strengthening financial governance, improving automation, and reducing manual processes and associated control risks.The Trust is currently working with a delivery partner on the system build but is seeking an experienced, independent client-side specialist to provide assurance, leadership and programme recovery support. This is a high-impact assignment with strong senior stakeholder visibility and a clear focus on delivering a robust, audit-ready finance system.

Your new role
As Interim SAGE Intacct Implementation Lead, you will take ownership of a live, in-flight implementation that requires diagnostic review, course correction, and delivery discipline through to go-live and stabilisation.This is not a standard implementation role - you will act as the client-side design authority, providing independent oversight, challenging the implementation partner where required, and ensuring that the system delivers best practice financial processes and controls.
This is a 4-6-month contract with an immediate start. The role is remote, but you must be able to travel to Blackburn to meet with the team and stakeholders.

You will:

Conduct a rapid diagnostic of the current system build and configuration
Benchmark the solution against best practice and contracted functionality
Define 'what good looks like' and ensure this is delivered
Challenge and influence the implementation partner where necessary
Strengthen financial controls, particularly across P2P, payments, supplier and bank controls, and access/segregation of duties
Implement programme discipline including planning, governance, and RAID management
Support delivery through go-live and initial post-implementation stabilisation.

This role requires both strategic oversight and hands-on delivery capability to bring pace, clarity, and structure to a programme requiring course correction.
What you'll need to succeed
To be successful in this assignment, you will bring strong expertise in both Sage Intacct and finance transformation within complex organisations.
Essential experience:

Proven track record leading Sage Intacct implementations
Strong Finance Background and use of finance systems
Good technical skills in project management
Experience recovering or resetting in-flight ERP implementations
Deep understanding of: Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes, financial controls, audit requirements, fraud risk mitigation, segregation of duties and access control design
Experience working client-side alongside implementation partners
Ability to operate at both a strategic design level and hands-on delivery level
Experience within Multi-Academy Trusts, education, or public sector environments
Knowledge of multi-entity finance structures
Understanding of VAT complexity and banking/payment integrations

Personal attributes:

Credible and confident in challenging suppliers constructively
Comfortable operating in programme recovery environments
Strong focus on controls, quality, and assurance
Pragmatic, delivery-focused, and outcomes-driven
Able to bring clarity and structure to ambiguity at pace

What you'll get in return

Outside IR35 contract
Immediate start with a critical, high-profile transformation programme
Initial 4-6 month engagement with potential extension
Opportunity to lead programme recovery and shape a best-in-class finance system
Senior stakeholder exposure and genuine impact on organisational controls and governance
Competitive, market-aligned day rate

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

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