Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Earlier Positions
Timeline
Generic

Alvin Francis

Brampton,ON

Summary

Accomplished Software Development and Product Management Executive with a proven history of driving rapid revenue growth and fostering technical innovation. Implemented enterprise-scale AI solutions across multiple software applications. Led a global team of 1,000 developers and 100 product managers, delivering transformative SaaS products with a notable 76% improvement in quality and an impressive 90% reduction in customer escalations.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience

Work History

Vice President of Development Financial Planning and Analysis, Business Intelligence and Head of HyperBlue AI Incubator Labs

IBM
11.2024 - Current
  • Led the development of a new Generative AI Business Intelligence tool, enhancing execution speed, user experience and AI accuracy, resulting in a 50% decrease in application response time and a 40% increase in accuracy.
  • Organized hands-on labs at IBM's customers' technical conference (TechXchange), receiving outstanding feedback for the vision and implementation of the new Generative AI Business Intelligence tool.
  • Led four agile cross-functional teams within the IBM Hyper Blue AI incubator, focusing on innovative AI applications.

Vice President, Product Management – Financial Planning and Analysis, Business Intelligence and Watson AI Applications

IBM
09.2022 - 11.2024
  • Led a $1B+ enterprise product portfolio of 6 products and 100+ product managers, driving revenue growth through AI innovation and market expansion
  • Spearheaded IBM's highest-ranked Product-Led Growth transformation, reducing enterprise SaaS activation from days to minutes and achieving recognition as a leading innovation
  • Transformed Financial Planning software into IBM's fastest-growing organic SaaS product, expanding on AWS and Azure and adopting PLG.
  • Pioneered Generative AI integration across the Business Analytics and Financial Planning suite and developed the vision and strategy for a new AI-powered Business analytics product
  • Delivered keynotes at the Gartner UK Data & Analytics Summit and IBM Think conference, generating over 1,500 preview signups.
  • Selected for IBM Tech24, an exclusive program for top innovators that drive company growth and transformation.

Vice President of Development for Watson AI, Financial Planning, and Business Intelligence Applications and Ottawa Lab Director

IBM
12.2020 - 09.2022
  • Led $1B+ revenue portfolio across seven AI products globally
  • Managed 1,000+ software developers across 10+ locations, achieving 76% reduction in customer-discovered defects in 24 months
  • Modernized legacy products to cloud-native, microservices architecture
  • Modernized AI capabilities in Business Intelligence and Financial planning and Analysis software

Executive Director of Development and Ottawa Lab Director

IBM
07.2018 - 12.2020
  • Directed the modernization of IBM's Business Analytics and Financial Performance suites, managing 1,000+ developers and SREs/DevOps across six international locations.
  • Spearheaded a bottom-up culture transformation focused on product quality and innovation, achieving a 90% reduction in customer escalations within 12 months.
  • Oversaw extensive upgrades to software architecture and user experience, enhancing product performance and customer satisfaction.
  • Served as executive liaison for key enterprise clients, retaining strategic accounts through proactive engagement and relationship management.
  • Directed operations and strategic direction for IBM's Ottawa lab, fostering workplace satisfaction and maintaining a strong executive presence.

Program Director, Predictive Analytics and Manager of IBM Machine Learning Hub

IBM
02.2017 - 07.2018
  • Managed software development teams across five international locations, delivering several releases for four major software products on time and within budget.
  • Spearheaded user experience modernization initiatives across two products, enhancing usability and customer satisfaction.
  • Generated $2M+ in cost savings by strategically renegotiating royalty contracts, improving profitability without compromising quality.
  • Founded one of IBM's two strategic Machine Learning hubs in North America, driving the adoption and implementation of cutting-edge AI solutions.
  • Built and managed an AI expert team and led client education and consulting initiatives, enabling successful AI implementations across diverse industries.
  • Recognized as the leader with the most transformed team in IBM Data and AI Business Unit, 10 months after joining IBM.

General Manager and Business Unit Director

EXFO
09.2015 - 02.2017
  • Directed global sales, product management, and sales support organizations, driving alignment and execution across international teams.
  • Developed and implemented a 3-year strategic plan for the business unit, achieving key milestones and growth objectives.
  • Oversaw full P&L responsibility, optimizing financial performance and resource allocation to maximize profitability.
  • Revitalized global post-sales support and services organizations, improving customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
  • Built and scaled a high-impact product management organization across the USA, Canada, Finland, and India, fostering collaboration and innovation.
  • Transformed sales team and customer perception by prioritizing product quality, driving increased trust, loyalty, and market competitiveness.

Vice President Product Management & Marketing

Navtel Communications
08.2006 - 03.2008
  • Managed Product Management, Product Marketing, and Post-Sales Support teams, aligning strategies to drive product success and customer satisfaction.
  • Represented the organization as CTO at key industry forums, positioning the company as a thought leader and innovator.
  • Developed and executed product and marketing strategies that enhanced market positioning and revenue growth.
  • Led technical and marketing due diligence during the company's acquisition by EXFO, ensuring a seamless transition and alignment of strategic goals.

Director, Product Management & Marketing

Navtel Communications
01.2005 - 08.2006
  • Transformed company's product portfolio
  • Developed new product strategy focused on evolving networking technologies
  • Managed teams of Product Managers, Marketing Engineers, and Customer Support Engineers
  • Planned and implemented semi-annual global sales meetings and training sessions

Director, North American Sales

Navtel Communications
02.2003 - 12.2005
  • Led North American sales organization, driving double-digit revenue growth through strategic engagement with network equipment manufacturers and operators.
  • Built and led a high-performance team of regional managers and sales engineers, securing key accounts with network operators
  • Delivered critical market insights to the executive team, directly influencing product development and corporate strategy

Director of Business Development

NetTest
01.2001 - 01.2003

Senior Product Manager

NetTest
01.1998 - 01.2001

Software Engineering Team Lead

NetTest
01.1995 - 01.1998

Education

Executive Certificate in Leadership and Management - Executive Leadership Strategies, Leading Teams and Organizations, Effective Leadership

University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business
Indiana, USA

Master of Business Administration -

Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario
01.2001

Master of Applied Science - Electrical Engineering

University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
01.1996

Bachelor of Science - Physics & Mathematics

New Mexico State University
Las Crues, New Mexico, USA
01.1991

Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering

New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA
01.1990

Skills

  • Software Development Leadership

  • Product Management Leadership

  • AI/ML Strategy & Implementation

  • Global Team Leadership

  • Cloud Architecture & SaaS

  • Product-Led Growth (PLG)

  • Strategic Planning & Execution

  • Agile Methodology

  • Technology Innovation

  • Customer Relationship Management

  • Coaching and mentoring

  • Software development life cycle

  • Organizational development

  • Critical thinking

Earlier Positions

  • Director of Business Development, NetTest, 01/01/01, 12/01/03
  • Senior Product Manager, NetTest, 01/01/98, 12/01/01
  • Software Engineering Team Lead, NetTest, 01/01/95, 12/01/98

Timeline

Vice President of Development Financial Planning and Analysis, Business Intelligence and Head of HyperBlue AI Incubator Labs

IBM
11.2024 - Current

Vice President, Product Management – Financial Planning and Analysis, Business Intelligence and Watson AI Applications

IBM
09.2022 - 11.2024

Vice President of Development for Watson AI, Financial Planning, and Business Intelligence Applications and Ottawa Lab Director

IBM
12.2020 - 09.2022

Executive Director of Development and Ottawa Lab Director

IBM
07.2018 - 12.2020

Program Director, Predictive Analytics and Manager of IBM Machine Learning Hub

IBM
02.2017 - 07.2018

General Manager and Business Unit Director

EXFO
09.2015 - 02.2017

Vice President Product Management & Marketing

Navtel Communications
08.2006 - 03.2008

Director, Product Management & Marketing

Navtel Communications
01.2005 - 08.2006

Director, North American Sales

Navtel Communications
02.2003 - 12.2005

Director of Business Development

NetTest
01.2001 - 01.2003

Senior Product Manager

NetTest
01.1998 - 01.2001

Software Engineering Team Lead

NetTest
01.1995 - 01.1998

Executive Certificate in Leadership and Management - Executive Leadership Strategies, Leading Teams and Organizations, Effective Leadership

University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business

Master of Business Administration -

Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario

Master of Applied Science - Electrical Engineering

University of Toronto

Bachelor of Science - Physics & Mathematics

New Mexico State University

Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering

New Mexico State University

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