Marcus Forsdyke
Ottawa
Summary
A robust, determined and committed Engineering Manager with 17 years experience within the Royal Air Force in the UK and abroad. A versatile and methodical Project Manager experienced at working within the MoD and with industry in a multi-disciplinary environment. Proven ability of leading teams, implementing change programmes, establishing and meeting targets and managing performance. An established problem solver, possessing strong interpersonal and motivational skills and highly effective at communicating to all levels.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Director - Arctic Over The Horizon Radar
Royal Canadian Air Force
08.2022 - Current
- Navigated challenging situations with diplomacy, resolving conflicts among team members while maintaining focus on project goals.
- Developed and implemented project plans and budgets to ensure successful execution.
- Developed and oversaw project operations and managed multi-functional issues through resolution.
- Reported regularly to executive managers on project budget, progress, and technical problems.
- Hired and managed staff and contractors to complete project tasks.
- Developed comprehensive project plans that clearly outlined key milestones, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies.
Deputy Director - Joint Air Component Co-ord Cell
Royal Canadian Air Force
07.2021 - 08.2022
- Led team of RCAF officers to facilitate co-ordination with Canadian Joint Head Quarters staff.
- Facilitated integration of air operations to meet the needs of operational commanders.
- Monitored operational plans, ensured capabilities were used appropriately and provided oversight of air operations planning.
Staff Officer - Strategic Plans
Royal Canadian Air Force
06.2020 - 08.2021
- Placeholder
- Placeholder
- Placeholder
Executive Assistant
Royal Canadian Air Force
07.2018 - 06.2020
- Served as a liaison between departments to facilitate effective communication throughout the organization.
- Organized and coordinated conferences and monthly meetings.
- Streamlined executive communication by managing emails, phone calls, and scheduling appointments.
- Answered high volume of phone calls and email inquiries.
Second Language Student
Royal Canadian Air Force
08.2017 - 07.2018
Senior Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Officer
Royal Canadian Air Force
07.2014 - 07.2017
- Placeholder
- Placeholder
- Placeholder
Project Engineer - Airworthiness
Royal Canadian Air Force
07.2011 - 07.2014
- Recommended process improvements to reduce unnecessary waste.
- Verified construction documentation to meet client requirements and vision.
- Documented and developed engineering procedures and processes.
- Assisted in developing cost-effective solutions to engineering problems.
Project Engineer - Maintenance Program
Royal Canadian Air Force
04.2009 - 07.2011
- Conducted research to identify and evaluate new technologies and concepts.
- Evaluated change order requests in response to out-of-scope work activities.
- Identified technical risks within managed projects.
- Recommended improvements for design, construction means and materials based on field or changing conditions.
- Documented and developed engineering procedures and processes.
Service Modification Manager
Royal Air Force
12.2007 - 03.2009
- Project Management of 30 Service Modifications that required updating and embodied on the Chinook Mk3 aircraft within a very tight timescale
- All 30 modifications required full investigation into the compatibility of the original design with the Mk3, and re-design of those elements that were not compatible
- Responsible for tasking and output of designers, safety teams, Release To Service Organisations, QinetiQ and close liaison with Boeing Helicopters.
Project Engineer
Royal Air Force
05.2007 - 12.2007
- Project Management of Operation HERRICK (Afghanistan) Urgent Operational Requirements (UOR) for the Chinook helicopter
- Tasked to introduce complex UOR Service Modifications (such as the Chinook Cargo Handling System) onto Chinook helicopters within short timelines and on budget
- Total value of UORs managed was £2.5 million
- Successfully introduced several simultaneous UOR projects into service within budget to tight time lines.
Assistant Mechanical Engineering Authority
Royal Air Force
08.2004 - 05.2007
- Responsible for airworthiness, safety and integrity of the mechanical systems of the Chinook helicopter
- Implemented new Service Modification policy within the business unit and drafted new local processes
- Advised on and drafted airworthiness policy, day to day management of a £3 million Sustainability modifications programme and latterly led the mechanical fault investigation team
- Line management responsibilities for 6 Service and civilian team members
- Influential in devising and implementing new engineering processes to interact with UK Through Life Customer Support (TLCS) Boeing personnel.
Chinook Squadron Engineering Officer
RAF Odiham
03.2003 - 08.2004
- Responsible for the flight safety and servicing of 10 Chinook helicopters so that they were available for operations
- Principle engineer on detached operations (including Iraq), where close liaison with other multi-national Armed Forces was required
- Line manager for 90 tradesmen
- Led short notice deployments of personnel to support Chinook Operations away from the main base
- Principle engineer in command of 35 tradesmen while deployed to Iraq and selected president of a Unit Inquiry to investigate a serious injury to an employee.
Tornado GR4 Maintenance Manager
RAF Marham
11.2001 - 03.2003
- Managed 6 deep maintenance tracks for Tornado GR4 aircraft with an additional Heavy Rectification team for ad-hoc tasks
- Established a thorough understanding of complex aircraft systems and close management of maintenance progress
- Reported daily to the Senior Station Engineer on progress of maintenance
- Completed internal re-organisation to allow more flexible use of manpower and empowered junior managers to manage more personnel
- Organised and led a Tornado staging detachment to Cyprus to support aircraft in transit to Gulf region, involved close liaison with many agencies external to the Station
- Singularly responsible for the arrival preparations for numerous Royal Family members
- As the Station Royal Aeronautical Society representative, arranged and hosted visiting speakers at the society’s meetings.
Communications Flight Manager
RAF Boulmer
04.2000 - 11.2001
- Management responsibility for 45 personnel split across 4 shifts to maintain 24-hour technical cover at Air Defence Control Centre
- Responsible for the maintenance of 44 specialist display units and associated radio and data link systems
- Further responsibilities for dispersed airfield navigation equipment and day to day management of both the IT and Telecom sections and associated budgets (over £1 million total)
- Included a 4-month detachment to Falkland Islands as the sole Radar Engineering Officer
- Established a Station communications strategy and initiated a major section re-organisation, which required new business processes and introduced culture change to employees
- Managed 25 personnel across 3 dispersed and very remote (access by helicopter only) Radar sites in the Falkland Islands.
Education
Skills
- Leadership
- Project Management
- Change and Performance Management
- Problem Solving
- Aviation Technology Expertise
- Effective Communicator
Personal Interests Activities
School Governor, Enthusiastic Squash player, determined gym member with an interest in car maintenance. Full clean driving licence.
Training
- Certificate in Management
- Prince 2 Practitioner
- Airworthiness for Military Aircraft
- Aircraft Structures and Dynamics
- RAF Initial Officer Training
- RAF Engineering Officer Training
- System Safety Awareness
- Flight Safety Officer Course
- Radiation Safety Officers Course
- Managing safely
- Specialist Military Skills
Timeline
Project Director - Arctic Over The Horizon Radar
Royal Canadian Air Force
08.2022 - Current
Deputy Director - Joint Air Component Co-ord Cell
Royal Canadian Air Force
07.2021 - 08.2022
Staff Officer - Strategic Plans
Royal Canadian Air Force
06.2020 - 08.2021
Executive Assistant
Royal Canadian Air Force
07.2018 - 06.2020
Second Language Student
Royal Canadian Air Force
08.2017 - 07.2018
Senior Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Officer
Royal Canadian Air Force
07.2014 - 07.2017
Project Engineer - Airworthiness
Royal Canadian Air Force
07.2011 - 07.2014
Project Engineer - Maintenance Program
Royal Canadian Air Force
04.2009 - 07.2011
Service Modification Manager
Royal Air Force
12.2007 - 03.2009
Project Engineer
Royal Air Force
05.2007 - 12.2007
Assistant Mechanical Engineering Authority
Royal Air Force
08.2004 - 05.2007
Chinook Squadron Engineering Officer
RAF Odiham
03.2003 - 08.2004
Tornado GR4 Maintenance Manager
RAF Marham
11.2001 - 03.2003
Communications Flight Manager
RAF Boulmer
04.2000 - 11.2001
Similar Profiles
Gordon GoodyearGordon Goodyear
Aviation Technician at Royal Canadian Air Force / Royal Canadian Naval ReserveAviation Technician at Royal Canadian Air Force / Royal Canadian Naval Reserve
Alexander Upshaw-DammerAlexander Upshaw-Dammer
CC130J Check Pilot at Royal Canadian Air Force / 436 (T) SquadronCC130J Check Pilot at Royal Canadian Air Force / 436 (T) Squadron
Glynn PlantzGlynn Plantz
Flight Engineer at Royal Canadian Air ForceFlight Engineer at Royal Canadian Air Force
Cameron CrossCameron Cross
Founder & Principal Consultant at Cross Corp. FinancialFounder & Principal Consultant at Cross Corp. Financial
Alexandra Belizaire SolitaireAlexandra Belizaire Solitaire
Stages cliniques dans les milieux de soins at Centre de soins de longue duréeStages cliniques dans les milieux de soins at Centre de soins de longue durée