Cynthia English
IT Project Manager
Saskatoon,SK
Summary
Skilled project and portfolio manager with over 15 years of total project management experience as well as PMP certification Proven leadership in delivering complex, large-scale, high-visibility projects resulting in significant efficiencies and improvements to services and operations Strong focus on governance, organization, and process efficiency. Diligent, forward-thinking and adaptable to dynamic company, customer, and project needs. Successful at motivating teams to meet demanding timelines. Well-versed in building positive relationships with customers and other stakeholders. Strong requirements gathering, scope development and inventory coordination abilities. Skilled at overseeing complex, high-value technical projects with excellent planning competencies. Innovative technology professional with several years of diverse experience. Skilled in enhancing systems and aligning technical solutions with business objectives. Proven success in leading projects from start to finish and contributing to organizational growth and success. Demonstrates strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills, with proven ability to quickly adapt to new environments. Eager to contribute to team success and further develop professional skills. Brings positive attitude and commitment to continuous learning and growth. Detail-oriented individual with exceptional communication and project management skills. Proven ability to handle multiple tasks effectively and efficiently in fast-paced environments. Recognized for taking proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues, with focus on optimizing processes and supporting team objectives. Proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth. Thorough team contributor with strong organizational capabilities. Experienced in handling numerous projects at once while ensuring accuracy. Effective at prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines. Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
ERP Project Manager
City of Saskatoon
01.2021 - Current
- Company Overview: Fusion (SAP) Sustainment & Advancement Office; Strategy & Transformation
- Introduced and implemented the use of standard project management tools such as MS Teams, Project For the Web SharePoint sites and roadmaps for the Fusion program (SAP implementation) resulting in improved visibility and overall understanding of work within the program
- Managed development and deployment of four SAP Human Capital Management (HCM) implementations resulting in improved workflows and functionality for several sections within the Human Resources division
- Overhauled the main SharePoint team site with a simpler, viewer-friendly design and layout resulting in improved visibility and access to relevant information
- Managed development and deployment of several projects within the Fusion (SAP) program using previously implemented project management tools, resulting in improved work visibility and management, as well as risks, issues, and defects tracking
- Fusion (SAP) Sustainment & Advancement Office; Strategy & Transformation
- Collaborated with the HCM portfolio lead and implementation partner project manager to ensure all work was identified, resourced, and scheduled appropriately
- Monitored and controlled execution of work packages, activities, tasks, issues, risks, defects, deliverables, and milestones related to individual streams
- Scheduled meetings, created presentations, and moderated discussions to keep the project on track
- Established and enforced project timelines and deadlines.
- Generated reports for IT project progress and performance.
- Led cross-functional teams to successfully complete IT projects.
- Monitored and tracked project progress to support timely completion.
- Wrote, updated and maintained project documentation.
- Managed various IT projects to meet deadlines and customer requirements.
- Trained personnel on use of IT tools and applications.
- Created and implemented contingency plans to address potential risks.
- Negotiated and managed project budgets to meet goals.
- Conducted quality assurance to verify accuracy of data used in IT projects.
- Partnered with project team members to identify and quickly address problems.
- Communicated project updates to stakeholders at all levels.
- Coordinated with external vendors to deliver IT project components.
- Devised test plans to validate accuracy of IT projects.
ERP Basis Coordinator / Change & Release Manager
City of Saskatoon
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Company Overview: Fusion (SAP) Sustainment & Advancement Office; Strategy & Transformation
- Developed and implemented tools to log, prioritize, monitor, and track issues and changes throughout the change and release management lifecycle resulting in improved visibility and awareness of ongoing and upcoming work affecting all portfolios
- Fusion (SAP) Sustainment & Advancement Office; Strategy & Transformation
- Followed ITIL guiding principles and best practices to develop, implement, maintain, and update standards, processes, and procedures for change and release management of the City’s Fusion environment (SAP S/4HANA, WorkForce Software, SuccessFactors, Sodales, EnableNow, SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP))
- Ensured all documentation sent for review and approval was complete to ensure successful issue/change resolution
- Created, monitored, updated, and closed tickets with support vendors using established practices
- Provided technical approval (and coordinated movement) of change and release management packages for transport to the production environment
- Coordinated communication and task assignments between the various support agencies and internal portfolios
- Reviewed, scheduled, implemented, and verified updates and patches related to the City’s SAP environment
- Used PMBOK standards to initiate, plan, execute, manage, and close projects for changes to the City’s SAP environment requiring more oversight than the standard change and release management process
- Used MS Project Online SharePoint Task Lists, MS Teams, MS Project Professional, and MS Project for the Web to create user-friendly project sites for managing projects (including tasks & schedule management, calendar, chats, files, logging of issues, risks, decisions, and action items, etc.) which greatly enhanced visibility and awareness for both internal and external stakeholders
- Implemented project management techniques to overcome obstacles and increase team productivity.
- Coordinated scheduled releases and updates.
- Created presentations and infographic for platform release enhancement communications.
- Collaborated with project developers, quality assurance team members and business analysts.
- Trained personnel on use of IT tools and applications.
- Generated reports for IT project progress and performance.
- Coordinated with external vendors to deliver IT project components.
- Conducted quality assurance to verify accuracy of data used in IT projects.
- Wrote, updated and maintained project documentation.
PMO Lead / IT Business Relationship Manager / Project Manager
City of Saskatoon
01.2019 - 12.2021
- Company Overview: PMO & Business Solutions; Information Technology; Strategy & Transformation
- Developed and implemented new models for ‘Intake Classification’ and ‘Priority Scoring’ of initiatives resulting in accurate and consistent grouping of projects by size and urgency which allowed the PMO to strategically focus efforts and resources where they were needed most
- Developed and implemented processes to monitor and control project lifecycles resulting in an average of 45 completed, 55 initiated, and 15 projects cancelled annually
- Designed and oversaw implementation for improvements to the departments’ Project Online environment resulting in significant intake and workflow efficiencies affecting the entire portfolio
- PMO & Business Solutions; Information Technology; Strategy & Transformation
- Reviewed incoming initiatives to determine portfolio feasibility
- Developed standards, processes, and guidelines for the PMO
- Prioritized portfolio to ensure work was completed on higher-priority initiatives in alignment with corporate strategic goals (reviewed portfolio priorities every quarter as described in the PMO Governance Plan and re-prioritized as needed)
- Assigned PMs and initiated approved projects
- Practiced governance to ensure all PMO members followed established standards
- Provided resources and training materials to PMO members as required
- Authored customized user manuals for specific system configurations, tailoring content to unique employee skill profiles.
- Presented analytical documentation to all clients, translating complex studies into universally comprehensible language.
- Maintained open communication by presenting regular updates on project status to customers.
- Verified quality of deliverables and conformance to specifications before submitting to clients.
- Facilitated workshops to collect project requirements and user feedback.
- Scheduled and facilitated meetings between project stakeholders to discuss deliverables, schedules and conflicts.
- Reported regularly to managers on project budget, progress, and technical problems.
- Monitored project progress, identified risks and took corrective action as needed.
- Developed and implemented project plans and budgets to ensure successful execution.
- Tracked project and team member performance closely to quickly intervene in mistakes or delays.
- Developed and cultivated lucrative relationships with both new and existing clients through effective communication and exemplary interpersonal skills.
- Built and maintained relationships with new and existing clients while providing high level of expertise.
- Responded to customer inquiries and resolved complaints to establish trust and increase satisfaction.
- Developed and maintained strong working relationships with professionals within assigned territory.
- Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives.
- Managed projects from procurement to commission.
- Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
- Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety.
- Provided detailed project status updates to stakeholders and executive management.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
- Provided detailed technical and operational direction in project challenges, consistently meeting deliverables according to deadlines.
- Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
PMO Lead / Project Manager
City of Saskatoon
01.2018 - 12.2019
- Company Overview: Governance & Strategy; Information Technology; Corporate Performance
- Completed 77 and cancelled 49 projects in the 1st year leading the PMO
- Modified design of all project sites resulting in improved collaboration amongst all stakeholders
- Promoted use of project sites to all stakeholders by highlighting the many tangible benefits
- Ensured communication between all stakeholders was current and relevant resulting in projects delivered on time with minimal errors and/or rework
- Governance & Strategy; Information Technology; Corporate Performance
- Managed several projects at a time within the PMO portfolio
- Ensured project managers followed guidelines and standards as defined by the governance structure
- Moved projects through stage gates, monitored progress
- Managed status of all projects within the portfolio
- Conducted feasibility studies, made recommendations, prepared reports
- Reviewed and suggested possible solutions to issues/ideas brought forward by BRMs
Information Management Coordinator (Tax & Utilities Team Manager)
City of Saskatoon
01.2016 - 12.2018
- Company Overview: IT-Revenue; Information Technology; Corporate Performance
- Developed and implemented new processes for managing team workload resulting in improved productivity, quality, and delivery of work
- IT-Revenue; Information Technology; Corporate Performance
- Managed team of 7 individuals responsible for all revenue-related IT work
- Balanced assignments and workload, developed and managed work schedules, assessed staffing needs, hired staff as required, provided performance management and disciplinary action when required
- Consulted with business partners to assess needs and system requirements (Business Relationship Manager for the Revenue Division)
- Managed all large-scale, revenue-related printing projects for the corporation
Systems Analyst
City of Saskatoon
01.2015 - 12.2016
- Company Overview: Utilities & Tax; Information Technology; Corporate Performance
- Replaced the City’s variable-data-print solution (AFP) used for all large-scale, revenue-related printing projects for the corporation with a modern, automated system that reduced errors and allowed the Information Technology department to eliminate the operational midnight shift and re-assign staff to other priorities
- Utilities & Tax; Information Technology; Corporate Performance
- Conducted feasibility study and gathered requirements from stakeholders
- Developed business case, project charter, and RFI
- Reviewed and evaluated vendor responses, scheduled demos, selected vendor
- Coordinated and managed solution implementation
- Gathered requirements and performed gap analysis through design workshops with users.
- Performed internal system acceptance to deliver well-tested enhancements and meet business requirements.
- Oversaw document development across project workstreams to create internal control statements per compliance and regulatory standards.
- Communicated and explained business requirements to team members to understand and implement functional demands.
- Analyzed existing systems and databases and recommended enhancements to solve business needs
- Enhanced project management skills by defining and presenting system solutions and timelines for business needs or technical problems.
- Collaborated with upper management to drive strategy and implement new processes.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
- Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
Education
PMI Certification - Project Management Professional
Project Management Institute
11.2019
ITIL 4 Foundation -
Axelos / PeopleCert
09.2019
Executive Education Certificate in Municipal Project Management -
University of Alberta School of Business
2019
Creating an Exceptional Customer Service Team -
City of Saskatoon
Saskatoon, SK05.2018
Leadership Saskatoon -
Leadership Saskatoon
Saskatoon, SK06.2018
The Essentials of Business Analysis -
Atocrates Project Sciences
Saskatoon, SK03.2016
The Project Management Course -
Edwards School of Business
Saskatoon, SK01.2016
Achieving IT Service Excellence -
Ouellette & Associates Consulting Inc.
Saskatoon, SK01.2015
Computer Systems Technology - undefined
SIAST Kelsey Campus
Saskatoon, SK01.2000
Skills
- Communication and presentation
- Project management proficiency
- Business process analysis
- Release management
- Budget control
- SLA compliance
- User acceptance & integration testing
- Testing strategy
- Cross-functional coordination
- Documentation management
- Stakeholder communication
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of [Number] in the development of [Project name].
- Achieved [Result] by introducing [Software] for [Type] tasks.
Timeline
ERP Project Manager
City of Saskatoon
01.2021 - Current
ERP Basis Coordinator / Change & Release Manager
City of Saskatoon
01.2021 - 12.2021
PMO Lead / IT Business Relationship Manager / Project Manager
City of Saskatoon
01.2019 - 12.2021
PMO Lead / Project Manager
City of Saskatoon
01.2018 - 12.2019
Information Management Coordinator (Tax & Utilities Team Manager)
City of Saskatoon
01.2016 - 12.2018
Systems Analyst
City of Saskatoon
01.2015 - 12.2016
Computer Systems Technology - undefined
SIAST Kelsey Campus
PMI Certification - Project Management Professional
Project Management Institute
ITIL 4 Foundation -
Axelos / PeopleCert
Executive Education Certificate in Municipal Project Management -
University of Alberta School of Business
Creating an Exceptional Customer Service Team -
City of Saskatoon
Leadership Saskatoon -
Leadership Saskatoon
The Essentials of Business Analysis -
Atocrates Project Sciences
The Project Management Course -
Edwards School of Business
Achieving IT Service Excellence -
Ouellette & Associates Consulting Inc.
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