SAP Cutover Lead

Req ID: 395589

NTT DATA strives to hire exceptional, innovative and passionate individuals who want to grow with us. If you want to be part of an inclusive, adaptable, and forward-thinking organization, apply now.

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.

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About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a $30 billion business and technology services leader, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world's leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. our consulting and Industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 50 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is a part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in R&D.

Whenever possible, we hire locally to NTT DATA offices or client sites. This ensures we can provide timely and effective support tailored to each client’s needs. While many positions offer remote or hybrid work options, these arrangements are subject to change based on client requirements. For employees near an NTT DATA office or client site, in-office attendance may be required for meetings or events, depending on business needs. At NTT DATA, we are committed to staying flexible and meeting the evolving needs of both our clients and employees. NTT DATA recruiters will never ask for payment or banking information and will only use @nttdata.com, @nttdatafed.com and @talent.nttdataservices.com email addresses. If you are requested to provide payment or disclose banking information, please submit a contact us form, 

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