Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills and Technologies
Education
Certification
Timeline
Darren Ross

Darren Ross

Senior Technical Project Manager
Peterborough,ON

Summary

Senior Technical Project Manager with 8+ years of experience leading high-impact software, platform, and marketing automation initiatives across fintech and enterprise environments. Currently managing a team of Technical Managers at VML MAP, delivering cross-functional programs that span SFMC, Braze, Data Cloud, and cloud infrastructure.

Known for creating clarity in dynamic, fast-moving environments, I help teams focus, align, and execute by bringing structure, calm decision-making, and thoughtful cross-team communication. I thrive in high-velocity, collaborative spaces—guiding complex work from intake to delivery, while quietly strengthening team culture, planning, and execution along the way.

Fluent in Agile and hybrid models, with hands-on experience in Jira, Smartsheet, and modern cloud and dev toolchains. I also integrate AI-driven enhancements into team operations—automating repeatable work, improving decision-making, and giving teams time back for what matters. I lead with empathy, ask the right questions (and sometimes, if needed, the obvious ones) to ensure everyone is on the same page—because the clearest path to the goal is knowing exactly what we’re all aiming for.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience
5
5
Certifications

Work History

Senior Technical Project Manager - Team Lead

VML MAP
06.2023 - Current
  • Lead the end-to-end execution of cross-functional, data-driven marketing automation projects across Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC), integrating components like Journey Builder, Email Studio, Data Cloud, and Marketing Cloud Personalization for global email, SMS, and push campaigns.
  • Own project lifecycle from intake through delivery, managing intake workflows, defining scope, building roadmaps, and aligning timelines across Marketing, Product, IT, and Engineering teams.
  • Coordinate and lead Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, retrospectives, and weekly stakeholder syncs; ensure risks, blockers, and dependencies are clearly communicated and resolved.
  • Collaborate closely with developers, QA, and technical architects to ensure scalable architecture, data integrity, and seamless product integrations.
  • Spearheaded a platform migration from SFMC to Braze, overseeing the rebuild of always-on journeys and engagement programs using Braze Canvas Flows, Custom Events, and Currents.
  • Leverage project management tools like Jira, Confluence, and Smartsheet to track KPIs, velocity, and team health across concurrent initiatives.
  • Implement automation and reporting enhancements using AI-based tools (GPT-4, n8n) to streamline QA, resource planning, and stakeholder reporting.
  • Act as a central point of contact for compliance-aligned execution of campaigns, ensuring all activities meet internal security, legal, and brand standards.

Technical Project Manager

OANDA Corporation
01.2022 - 11.2022
  • Drove the end-to-end delivery of financial trading product initiatives across FX, Crypto, Futures, and CFD markets, leading global teams through the development and integration of proprietary trading platforms.
  • Managed 15–18 concurrent projects within a high-stakes, fast-paced fintech environment, leading Agile teams of 30–35 across engineering, compliance, data, and marketing functions.
  • Defined and tracked product development roadmaps, sprint goals, and success metrics in partnership with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.
  • Acted as the strategic liaison between cross-functional stakeholders—aligning product requirements, regulatory compliance, and technical feasibility to deliver mission-critical trading functionalities across web and mobile.
  • Ensured regulatory adherence across multiple jurisdictions, working directly with compliance teams to interpret evolving policies and embed them into platform architecture and feature design.
  • Created and maintained internal documentation, sprint cadences, and stakeholder updates using Jira, Confluence, and cross-team dashboards.
  • Spearheaded internal transformation initiatives to modernize PMO frameworks, introducing lean-agile practices and risk-prioritized project intake models.
  • Supported feature launches and enhancements for real-time market data, order execution, and user onboarding workflows, directly contributing to platform scalability and improved client acquisition.
  • Oversaw tooling upgrades and internal process automation for product ops, release cycles, and technical documentation delivery.
  • Mentored junior TPMs and contributed to portfolio governance to ensure initiatives aligned with business priorities, capacity, and go-to-market strategy.

Technical Project Manager

ICF Next North America
07.2017 - 01.2022
  • Led end-to-end delivery of a multi-year, government-funded digital transformation program, managing the integration of front-end portals, middleware, and backend systems using Microsoft Stack, AWS, and cloud-based services.
  • Oversaw cross-functional Agile teams across QA, development, and business stakeholders, managing sprint planning, backlog refinement, retrospectives, and weekly delivery checkpoints.
  • Translated stakeholder requirements into detailed user stories, technical specifications, and product documentation; collaborated with developers to ensure alignment with business goals and regulatory constraints.
  • Developed scalable delivery frameworks to streamline project planning, release execution, and inter-project dependency tracking across multiple high-impact initiatives.
  • Orchestrated marketing automation campaigns using Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC) and SendGrid, including dynamic email journeys, API-triggered messages, and audience segmentation via Journey Builder.
  • Directed coordination between internal stakeholders and an offshore contact center, supporting over 200 client-facing users and implementing feedback loops to drive operational efficiency.
  • Executed Disaster Recovery planning, system audits, and internal controls to support annual SOC1 compliance reporting and risk mitigation efforts.
  • Created and managed detailed project roadmaps, launch timelines, and go-to-market plans for public-facing applications and communications.
  • Mentored and guided team members across PMO, QA, and dev functions; conducted performance reviews, tracked progress against KPIs, and implemented growth plans.
  • Played a strategic role in defining long-term product direction by balancing user needs, government requirements, and infrastructure limitations.

Technical Project Manager (Contract)

MAZDA INC
10.2020 - 01.2021
  • Collaborated with business users, technical teams, database administrators and testing teams during kickoff meetings, joint application designing and planning
    sessions to validate requirements. Responsible for maximizing the value from our client's Salesforce platform, learning from best practices to enhance and evolve the Salesforce instance with the most current releases from Salesforce.
  • Spearheaded project implementations with Datorama, Journey Builder , Ad Studio and Interaction Studio with multiple business units. Responsible for managing/coordinating the implementation of Salesforce configurations, schemas, custom objects, and workflows across instances.
  • Created project plans with established timelines, assigned to appropriate teams and managed workflow throughout construction.
  • Made changes to project scope and cost and implemented most effective change management processes to keep project up-to-date.
  • Focused on project monitoring and management by developing forecasts and tracking expenses.

Quality Assurance Analyst ( Contract)

National Bank of Canada
05.2016 - 01.2017
  • Oversaw onsite testing for customers as required by the project specifications.
  • Wrote, edited and updated project manuals and technical documentation that was used by the QA team.
  • Reviewed project requirements to uncover bugs and resolve issues within a timely manner.
  • Ensured that process checks were done properly and at the correct frequency.
  • Researched new tools and technologies that could be used by the quality assurance team.
  • Identified and tracked defects with Jira and supported developers in resolving problems by completing additional tests.

Skills and Technologies

  • End-to-End Project Planning, Execution & Delivery
  • SAFe & Lean Agile Methodologies
  • Risk Mitigation & Issue Resolution
  • Stakeholder & Vendor Relationship Management
  • Change Requests & Release Coordination
  • Disaster Recovery Management
  • SOC I & SOC II Audit Readiness
  • Quality assurance (manual and automation)
  • JIRA, Confluence, Smartsheet
  • Microsoft Stack, .NET, SQL
  • Java, Python, React Native
  • REST & SOAP API Integrations
  • GitHub, Postman, Lucidchart
  • Salesforce Data Cloud, SF Core
  • AWS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure
  • Docker, Jenkins, Bitbucket (CI/CD exposure)
  • Marketing Automation Platforms: SFMC, Braze, SendGrid
  • Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC): Journey Builder, Email Studio, AMPscript
  • Braze: Canvas Flows, Currents, SDKs
  • SendGrid
  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript
  • Prompt Engineering
  • GPT-4 Application Building & API Integration
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  • Voice AI (ElevenLabs)
  • Workflow Automation (n8n, Python Scripting)
  • AI-Powered QA & Reporting Tools

Education

No Degree - Strategic Management

Centennial College of Applied Arts And Technology, Scarborough, None
05.2001 -

BBA - Marketing Management

University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
05.2001 -

Certification

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Timeline

Salesforce Certified AI Associate - Salesforce

01-2025

Salesforce Data Cloud Consultant

06-2024

Artificial Intelligence Product Certification - Product School

06-2024

Salesforce Marketing Cloud Administrator

02-2024

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

11-2023
Senior Technical Project Manager - Team Lead - VML MAP
06.2023 - Current
Technical Project Manager - OANDA Corporation
01.2022 - 11.2022
Technical Project Manager (Contract) - MAZDA INC
10.2020 - 01.2021
Technical Project Manager - ICF Next North America
07.2017 - 01.2022
Quality Assurance Analyst ( Contract) - National Bank of Canada
05.2016 - 01.2017
Centennial College of Applied Arts And Technology - No Degree, Strategic Management
05.2001 -
University of Calcutta - BBA, Marketing Management
05.2001 -

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Darren RossSenior Technical Project Manager