Jennifer Beckett
Waterloo
Summary
Driven Implementation Project Manager with over 10 years of experience in leading and managing broad scope portfolios to achieve essential KPIs and performance outcomes. Expert in interest holder relationship management and with a proven track record in delivering and executing high quality outcomes. Adaptive to shifting contexts as they impact the performance and operational needs of the community service division.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Social Planning Associate
Region of Waterloo
07.2020 - Current
- Directed the full life cycle of programs and projects, creating efficiencies in human, physical, and financial resources
- Conducted comprehensive work and resource planning and implementation for portfolios in various divisional teams
- Developed planning and resourcing tools for the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness to ensure clarity, unity, and the appropriate allocation of resources both internally and with community partners
- Facilitated multi-million dollar budget adjustments through the 2025 budget cycle, in parallel with the recent Annual Business Plan for Housing Services alongside Housing leadership and partners in Strategic Partnerships and Performance (SPP) and Finance.
- Successfully planned and implemented COVID emergency staffing response in emergency shelters across Waterloo Region to maintain sufficient shelter staffing levels in the height of the Winter 2022 wave of COVID, seen by 0 shelter closures through this community emergency
- Championed project management training at the SPA Community of Practice to support an increased skill-base for all CSD SPAs
- Successfully completed multiple policy revisions, developments, reports, and change implementation in multiple program areas including Seniors Services, Employment & Income Services, SPP (formerly SQI), and Housing Services
Professor
Conestoga College
08.2022 - Current
- Facilitated course delivery for college students in both Stakeholder Management and Project Management
- Conducted student support sessions to support students to succeed in their coursework
- Developed extracurricular materials for students to pursue the PMP designation
Research Project Manager
University of Waterloo
01.2019 - 02.2022
- Established performance metrics with clear expectations for team members, resulting in enhanced productivity and accountability.
- Streamlined communication between team members for increased efficiency and improved collaboration in achieving project goals.
- Managed cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative environment and promoting individual contributions toward project success.
- Conducted thorough literature reviews to identify knowledge gaps and inform the direction of research projects.
- Drafted high-quality reports summarizing key findings for dissemination among stakeholders and publication in academic journals.
- Cultivated a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging team members to share feedback, ideas, and best practices for refining research project management processes.
Community Impact Project Lead
Brantford Brant Youth Collective Impact (BBYCIC)
06.2018 - 06.2019
- Streamlined project management processes by implementing Agile methodologies and improving team communication.
- Advocated for and secured $1.5M in grant funding for a community-lead collaborative research and implementation committee
- Optimized resource utilization by accurately forecasting project needs and allocating resources accordingly throughout the project lifecycle.
- Delivered training and implementation support for youth system support organizations to increase youth developmental asset outcomes for youth
- Improved overall team performance by conducting regular performance evaluations and providing constructive feedback to facilitate professional growth.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of various project components.
Education
Master of Arts - Sociology (Honours)
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON04-2013
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology (Honours)
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON12-2008
Skills
- Resource management and planning for portfolios of various scopes and sizes
- Embedding equity into all work demonstrating Regional values and a call to action for equitable access and services
- Knowledge of municipal, provincial, and federal housing policy and political context
- Interest holder relationship management for collaboration and coordination
- Leading project teams to achieve KPIs and appropriating work plans according to divisional needs
- Developing policies and procedures to integrate into operational practice
Accomplishments
- Facilitated the 2025 budget and Annual Business Plan processes for Housing Services, resulting in key milestones for the division and multi-million dollar budget adjustments in favour of community service provision related to the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, Housing Programs, and Waterloo Regional Housing program areas.
- Ensuring Funding Success for Project Continuity Secured total grant funding of over $20M throughout career. Additionally facilitated multi-million dollar projects and budget cycles at the Region of Waterloo.
- Implementation Project Lead on Innovative Housing Supports Led the Hybrid Emergency Shelter project for a new interim housing solution in Waterloo Region, now being considered for replication of a second site
Certification
- Project Management Professional (PMP) - Project Management Institute
- Program Management Professional (PgMP) - Project Management Institute (scheduled for 2025)
Timeline
Professor
Conestoga College
08.2022 - Current
Social Planning Associate
Region of Waterloo
07.2020 - Current
Research Project Manager
University of Waterloo
01.2019 - 02.2022
Community Impact Project Lead
Brantford Brant Youth Collective Impact (BBYCIC)
06.2018 - 06.2019
- Project Management Professional (PMP) - Project Management Institute
- Program Management Professional (PgMP) - Project Management Institute (scheduled for 2025)
Master of Arts - Sociology (Honours)
University of Waterloo
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology (Honours)
University of Waterloo
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