Syed Amir Najam
Project / Program Manager
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven Project Management Professional with over 11 years of experience in finance transformation, HR project management, and payroll. Expertise in SAP, payroll systems, and process optimization with a proven track record of delivering large-scale global and regional projects. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams and managing complex global payroll transitions, focusing on upstream and downstream integrations to drive automation initiatives that enhance compliance, efficiency, and employee experience. Recognized for exceptional stakeholder management and analytical capabilities, effectively aligning people, processes, and technology to support corporate objectives.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
3
3
Languages
Work History
Project Manager | Global Payroll Coordinator
Electrolux Group
12.2024 - Current
- PMO Setup – Established a regional PMO framework for Regional People Services and Solutions, enabling effective monitoring and tracking of projects, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Continuous Improvement – Embedded CI culture in the regional team by promoting Electrolux Always Improve (EAI) certification; co-developed and co-owned a Global Operational Excellence/Automation and PMO log for visibility and governance.
- Project Management – Leading regional and local projects following PMI methodology, including the ANZ payroll implementation project, ensuring stakeholder collaboration, risk management, and compliance.
- Change Management – Designed and executed a comprehensive change management plan for the payroll project, aligned with stakeholder expectations.
- Global Projects – Support and drive change management activities for global people initiatives.
- Additional Responsibility – Global Payroll Coordinator (08/2025 – Present)
- Driving global payroll and time and attendance initiatives, including payroll outsourcing programs and vendor clustering.
- Overseeing the implementation of Time Off modules and process enhancements for standardization across multiple regions.
- Acting as the central coordinator, ensuring alignment of the global payroll strategy with regional and local execution.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
Global HR PMO (Global Transformation)
Orange Business
09.2023 - 12.2024
- Directed a Global PMO for People Enablement & Growth (Orange Business Campus), overseeing transformation projects across 9 countries.
- Designed and rolled out a budget management process integrating Finance & HR for tracking training costs.
- Facilitated international workshops for organizational restructuring and new ways of working.
- Introduced agile practices (Kanban, retrospectives, team rituals), embedding collaborative and scalable project delivery methods.
Project Manager (Regional Transformation)
Marsh McLennan Companies
04.2023 - 08.2023
- Managed a APAC-wide implementation of finance and operational transformation project, ensuring global-to-local alignment.
- Collaborated with IT and business functions to prioritize accounting topics and execute end-to-end benchmark solutions.
- Supported system design and provided guidance on transactional improvements, ensuring seamless adoption at the regional level.
- Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
Regional HR PMO
Orange Business
01.2022 - 04.2023
- Delivered strategic HR transformation projects with regional and global impact.
- Standardized communications and implemented new HR tools to improve process transparency and efficiency.
- Acted as a single point of contact (SPOC) for HR sourcing and vendor management.
Finance Project Manager / PMO
Baker Hughes
02.2019 - 01.2022
- Led finance transformation programs involving process & system migrations and shared services centralization.
- Delivered migration projects with USD 200k cost savings.
- Designed and implemented automation solutions (macros, RPA) reducing manual workload by 20+ hours/quarter.
- Introduced digitization initiatives that enhanced global finance operations efficiency.
Operational Controllership Analyst
Baker Hughes, A GE Company
01.2018 - 04.2019
Tax Accountant
Schlumberger
03.2016 - 12.2017
Intercompany Accountant
Schlumberger
08.2014 - 03.2016
Education
MBA - Corporate Finance
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
United Kingdom 04.2001 -
BSc. (Hons) - Applied Accounting
Oxford Brookes University
United Kingdom09.2013
Advanced Diploma - Accounting and Business
ACCA
United Kingdom02.2013
Skills
Stakeholder Management
Project / Program Management
Project planning and development
Task prioritization
Presentations
Stakeholder communications
Certification
Project Management Professional - 2024
Hobbies
Hiking, Camping and Cooking for Friends & Family
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybridSalary Range
$45000/yr - $100000/yrImportant To Me
Career advancementCompany CultureWork-life balanceFlexible work hoursLanguages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Malay
Upper intermediate (B2)
Urdu
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Timeline
Project Manager | Global Payroll Coordinator
Electrolux Group
12.2024 - Current
Global HR PMO (Global Transformation)
Orange Business
09.2023 - 12.2024
Project Manager (Regional Transformation)
Marsh McLennan Companies
04.2023 - 08.2023
Regional HR PMO
Orange Business
01.2022 - 04.2023
Finance Project Manager / PMO
Baker Hughes
02.2019 - 01.2022
Operational Controllership Analyst
Baker Hughes, A GE Company
01.2018 - 04.2019
Tax Accountant
Schlumberger
03.2016 - 12.2017
Intercompany Accountant
Schlumberger
08.2014 - 03.2016
MBA - Corporate Finance
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
04.2001 -
BSc. (Hons) - Applied Accounting
Oxford Brookes University
Advanced Diploma - Accounting and Business
ACCA