Senior HR Project Manager

Syensqo is all about chemistry. We’re not just referring to chemical reactions here, but also to the magic that occurs when the brightest minds get to work together. This is where our true strength lies. In you. In your future colleagues and in all your differences. And of course, in your ideas to improve lives while preserving our planet’s beauty for the generations to come.

Job Overview

Syensqo’s Global Business Services (GBS) is an integral part of our organization, delivering Finance, Procurement, Human Resources, Credit Management, Payroll, Time Management, and Transformation services worldwide. As we continue to evolve and expand our impact, we invite you to join a dynamic, collaborative, and forward-thinking environment—where your expertise will directly shape the future of our GBS organization.

We’re looking for:

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic Senior Project Manager with strong expertise in Payroll & Time Management to lead complex, global transformation and optimization programs within Syensqo GBS. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for driving Payroll & Time Management transformations, process harmonization, system implementations, and continuous improvement initiatives across regions and business units.

Reporting to the GBS PMO Lead, you will act as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities while delivering measurable business value, operational excellence, and scalable Payroll & Time Management solutions across our global footprint.

We’ll count on you to:

Project & Program Leadership

• Lead large-scale, multi-workstream Payroll & Time Management transformation programs, from initiation through execution and stabilization.
• Define project and program scope, governance, and execution frameworks aligned with GBS and HR strategy.
• Drive end-to-end Payroll & Time Management initiatives, including system implementations, process standardization, vendor transitions, and global data harmonization.
• Oversee business cases, budgets, timelines, and benefits realization to ensure delivery of measurable value.
• Manage risks, dependencies, and interconnections across Payroll, Time, HR, IT, Finance, and external vendors.
• Develop performance dashboards and provide clear, executive-level reporting on progress, risks, and outcomes.
• Coach and mentor project managers, contributing to the maturity and consistency of project delivery practices within GBS.

Payroll & Time Management Expertise

• Lead global Payroll & Time Management transformations, ensuring compliance, accuracy, efficiency, and scalability across countries and regions.
• Partner closely with Payroll, Time, HR, IT, and GBS process owners to design and implement standardized, compliant end-to-end processes.
• Support Payroll & Time system implementations, upgrades, integrations, and vendor management activities.
• Ensure alignment with local regulatory requirements while driving global harmonization and best practices.
• Promote continuous improvement, automation, and data quality across Payroll & Time Management processes.

Stakeholder Management & Governance

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, influencing decisions and driving strategic alignment across Payroll, Time, HR, IT, and GBS leadership.
• Lead steering committees, governance forums, and executive decision-making bodies.
• Ensure transparent, consistent communication across functions, regions, and external partners.
• Manage relationships with third-party vendors and delivery partners to ensure contractual and performance commitments are met

Change Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Drive organizational readiness and adoption of new Payroll & Time processes, systems, and ways of working.
• Assess change impact, define mitigation actions, and ensure stakeholder readiness across geographies.
• Measure changes effectiveness and lead continuous improvement initiatives post-implementation.
• Embed lessons learned, best practices, and standards into GBS methodologies and governance.
  
   

Personal Effectiveness

• Operate with strong strategic focus and executive presence in complex, high-impact environments.
• Inspire, guide, and align cross-functional teams through change.
• Demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and sound judgment under pressure.
• Promote consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement across program delivery.

You Will Bring

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree and certifications (PMP, Prince2, Scrum Master) strongly preferred.
• 7–10 years of experience in senior project or program management roles within GBS or multinational environments.
• Proven experience leading global Payroll & Time Management transformations, HR transformations, and/or large-scale process harmonization initiatives.
• Strong expertise in stakeholder management, governance, and executive communication.
• Solid financial and analytical acumen, with experience managing complex program budgets and benefits realization.
• Expertise in Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid delivery methodologies.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken); additional languages are a plus.
• Willingness to travel internationally as required.

You Will Get

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• 16 weeks of maternity, paternity, or co-parenting leave, according to the local regulations
• Leadership development, well-being, and professional growth programs.

Additional information:

• Location: Portugal (office in Lisbon)
• Hybrid work model:

• • Lisbon-based: 1 day/week in the office
  • Portugal-based (outside Lisbon): 2 days/month

About us

• Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates. Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and health care applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.
• At Syensqo, we seek to promote unity and not uniformity. We value the diversity that individuals bring and we invite you to consider a future with us, regardless of background, age, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability or identity. We encourage individuals who may require any assistance or accommodations to let us know to ensure a seamless application experience. We are here to support you throughout the application journey and want to ensure all candidates are treated equally. If you are unsure whether you meet all the criteria or qualifications listed in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.