Erin Kelly
Victoria,BC
Summary
A strategic, results-oriented senior project manager with twenty plus years of experience in government, retail and information technology sectors. Pragmatic professional with solid experience in leadership roles. Adept at implementing strategic business plans, driving growth and improving operations. Skilled in financial management and stakeholder relations. Collaborative and dedicated to building and leading talented and motivated individuals.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Director, Marquee Sport Events
Ministry Of Tourism, Arts, Culture And Sport
11.2022 - Current
- Oversight of project deliverables and government to government relations for several marquee sport events
- Collaborating closely with sport hosting executive partners to align and strengthen organizational strategies
- Preparing strategic decision documents for and with various federal, provincial and local decision makers
- Identifying opportunities for process improvement, implementing changes that led to increased efficiency within organization.
- Managing project team and manage relationship and deliverables between event / Host City organizations, their executives and operations teams
Senior Project Director, Online Learning Transformation Project
Ministry Of Education And Child Care
01.2021 - 12.2022
- Directed high-profile, Ministry-mandated IT project with multiple simultaneous sub-projects, ensuring seamless execution and minimal disruption to business operations.
- Managed creation of new Online Learning policy, procedures and quality assurance and accountability program for students during and post Covid
- Managed $1 million dollar budget, ensuring financial accountability at all stages of project development process.
- Led sector stakeholders, cross-functional government partners and internal ministry teams to reach consensus on complex policy and procedural issues
- Led co-development of policy and procedures with Indigenous Rightsholders in accordance with UN Declaration of Rights (UNDRIPA)
- Developed change management strategies and communicated with sector to ensure successful adoption of new processes.
- Drove innovation by encouraging creative problem-solving techniques amongst external and internal stakeholders.
- Identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies, reducing negative impacts on project outcomes.
Project Director, Personal Education Number Registry
Ministry Of Education And Child Care
08.2020 - 12.2021
- Managed creation and approval of business case, created multi-year estimates, successfully forecasted and delivered on $5M+ capital budget
- Provided advice to cross ministry Assistant Deputy Minister governance committee on alternatives and solutions, product evaluation, risk assessment and cost benefit analysis
- Influenced stakeholders to develop new policy and procedures, achieve consensus and commitment regarding product definition, direction, and approach to delivery.
- Procured, contracted and led multi-disciplinary agile delivery team to deliver new web-based product from existing legacy application to meet and exceed end user needs and experience expectations
- Oversaw budget development and managed financial tracking, ensuring cost-effective execution of complex projects.
- Managed cross-functional teams to ensure seamless coordination throughout all stages of projects.
- Supported ADM and facilitated cross ministry ADM-level committee and Operational Working Groups
- Spearheaded service design and change management initiatives.
- Managed and navigated changes in direction, including priorities and expectations of cross ministry clients and sector stakeholders.
Director, Graduation Operations
Ministry Of Education
04.2017 - 07.2020
- Managed $2M+ complex, multi-faceted project budget and deliverable to refresh legacy Student Data IT applications
- Led included managers and staff in three business units alongside contracted staff (project directors, procurement specialists and contractors) on various agile and waterfall projects
- Developed and maintained effective and collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders including Indigenous Rightsholders
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Spearheaded innovative approaches to resource allocation and strategic planning.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
- Negotiated favorable contracts with vendors for reduced costs and improved service quality.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
Director, Partner and Intergovernmental Relations
Ministry Of Education
11.2015 - 04.2017
- Planned, developed, implemented new procedures and practices for BC as chair of Council of Ministers, Canada (CMEC) with Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
- Managed multi-party negotiations to ensure successful adoption of new memorandum of agreement with Yukon and integration of Syrian refugees into BC schools
- Developed and maintained positive working relationships with sector leaders in stakeholders to co-develop strategic engagement plans and Memorandums of Understanding
- Prepared Minister and Deputy Ministers and materials for federal-provincial discussions at Council of Ministers of Education Council (CMEC) or provincial-municipal events like Union of BC Municipalities or First Nations Leadership Meetings
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies
- Drafted and distributed reports to assist executive with critical business decisions.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
- Coordinated cross-functional government teams to provide comprehensive advice to executive.
- Cultivated positive work environment by promoting collaboration amongst team
Western Regional Manager, Employee and Customer Engagement
SOBEYS
05.2013 - 10.2015
- Launched new national HR and marketing program directly with Sobeys executive
- Hired and managed team of HR professionals, providing ongoing training, coaching, and performance evaluations
- Met with and built strategic alliances with senior executive across west by delivering and coaching on engagement results
- Managed change and mediated supervisor-employee relations and performance issues while delivering some of highest engagement scores in country.
- Championed process improvement initiatives
- Presented strategic updates quarterly at retail conferences and employee gatherings
- Cultivated culture of open communication, collaboration and shared accountability for business success.
- Achieved established KPIs for company, regional team and individual performance through teamwork and focus on customers.
Manager of Communications
THRIFTY FOODS
09.2010 - 05.2013
- Managed communication activities and ongoing public relations for BC retail grocery chain (24 stores, two warehouses and one head office)
- Managed crisis communications, minimizing potential damage to company reputation with national communications team and local retail management teams
- Built strategic alliances with retail leadership teams to promote marketing, communications and public relations activities to improve key performance indicators
- Developed compelling content for company website and social media channels, driving user engagement and conversions.
- Streamlined internal communication processes by creating centralized information hub for employees.
- Increased brand awareness through development and implementation of successful public relations campaigns.
- Conducted media training for company executives and business leaders.
- Spearheaded employee engagement initiatives, fostering positive workplace culture and boosting retention rates.
Public Affairs Officer - Various Ministries
BC Government
02.2007 - 05.2010
- Increased public understanding of organizational policies through development of clear, concise informational materials at Ministry of Finance, Agriculture and Lands and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.
- Reviewed political, legislative and regulatory policies and processes with subject area experts to support public relations campaigns
- Analyzed and translated complex technical data and policy documents into comprehensible written, verbal or online content
- Leveraged partnerships with ministry stakeholders to broaden reach and impact of public affairs initiatives.
- Provided timely, accurate responses to media inquiries, ensuring accurate representation of ministry's position on critical issues.
IT Project & Marketing Coordinator
MYRA Systems Corp.
07.1999 - 07.2001
- Coordinated with senior leaders IT software application upgrades and migrations for BC Government clients
- Managed multiple IT projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks based on urgency and potential impact on strategic goals.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration throughout each project lifecycle stage.
- Developed and implemented promotional marketing initiatives to raise awareness and drives sales of IT consulting products and services.
Education
Certification - Project Management
Project Management Institute
Online06.2024
Diploma - Public Relations
University of Victoria
Victoria01.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science And English Literature
Huron College, University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario05.1995
Skills
- Stakeholder Relations
- Client Relations
- Project Management
- Information Technology Management
- Budget Administration
- Team Leadership
- Conflict Resolution
- Creative Thinking
- Customer Relationship Management
Volunteer Positions
- Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport: Reconciliation in Action Working Group Leader, 2022- Present
- SPCA Volunteer, 2024 -Present
- Article 29 Committee, Employer representative on Ministry's labour relations committee, 2019 - 2022
- Team Manager, Bays United Football Team, 2016-2020
- Lansdowne Parents Music Association, Lansdowne Middle School Music Fundraiser Member, 2016 - 2022
- Parent Advisory Council, VPAC Representative - Oakland Parent Advisory Committee, 2015
- Treasurer, Canadian Public Relations Society – Victoria Chapter (CPRS), 2010 – 2012
Training
- BC Public Service Courses (Inclusion and Diversity; Building Capacity in Indigenous Relations,; Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Workshops; Diversity and Inclusion Essentials; Fierce Conversations; Coaching in Workplace; Labour Relations)
- HR Assessments/ Courses (Behaviourial Insights, MBTI, 360 Assessment, Gallup Strengths Finder Manager & Coach Certification)
- Executive Leader Cohorts (Min of Education 2018; Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport 2024)
- IT Training (Agile Product Owner)
Timeline
Project Director, Marquee Sport Events
Ministry Of Tourism, Arts, Culture And Sport
11.2022 - Current
Senior Project Director, Online Learning Transformation Project
Ministry Of Education And Child Care
01.2021 - 12.2022
Project Director, Personal Education Number Registry
Ministry Of Education And Child Care
08.2020 - 12.2021
Director, Graduation Operations
Ministry Of Education
04.2017 - 07.2020
Director, Partner and Intergovernmental Relations
Ministry Of Education
11.2015 - 04.2017
Western Regional Manager, Employee and Customer Engagement
SOBEYS
05.2013 - 10.2015
Manager of Communications
THRIFTY FOODS
09.2010 - 05.2013
Public Affairs Officer - Various Ministries
BC Government
02.2007 - 05.2010
IT Project & Marketing Coordinator
MYRA Systems Corp.
07.1999 - 07.2001
Certification - Project Management
Project Management Institute
Diploma - Public Relations
University of Victoria
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science And English Literature
Huron College, University of Western Ontario
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