Nishant Gondhalekar
Vancouver,BC
Summary
Strategic Project Manager with 12+ years of experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives within academic and healthcare environments. Proven expertise in managing concurrent projects of considerable size and complexity, with demonstrated success in stakeholder engagement, change management, and strategic planning. Deep understanding of university operations, partnership development, and organizational transformation. Skilled in managing sensitive, confidential matters while fostering productive relationships with senior leadership and diverse stakeholders across academic, healthcare, and community sectors.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Development Coordinator – Major Gift Projects, Faculty of Arts
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, Canada
10.2023 - Current
- Strategic Project Implementation: Collaborate with senior leadership to design, develop, and execute strategic initiatives aligned with UBC's institutional objectives, managing multiple concurrent projects of varying complexity and stakeholder diversity
- Senior Stakeholder Management: Engage executive-level leadership, faculty, and external partners to understand strategic goals, clarify objectives, and ensure successful project outcomes through diplomatic relationship management
- Partnership & Relationship Development: Design and implement comprehensive donor recognition and stewardship programs, fostering long-term partnerships while managing sensitive and confidential stakeholder information
- Data Analytics & Strategic Reporting: Utilize institutional databases for complex analysis and strategic reporting, preparing tailored performance summaries and analytical reports for senior leadership decision-making
- Change Management & Process Optimization: Develop and implement efficient operational processes, managing organizational change initiatives while ensuring compliance with university policies and governance structures
Administrator – Student & Faculty Awards, Peter A. Allard School of Law
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, Canada
12.2021 - 10.2023
- Large-Scale Project Coordination: Managed annual distribution of 350+ awards, overseeing complete project lifecycle including stakeholder consultation, eligibility assessment, and strategic communication planning
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Served as primary liaison between academic departments, administrative units, and external stakeholders, managing complex queries and ensuring alignment with institutional objectives
- Evaluation & Continuous Improvement: Conducted comprehensive post-project evaluations and implemented strategic enhancements to optimize processes, improving accuracy and operational efficiency
- Compliance & Governance: Maintained detailed project documentation and budget oversight, coordinating with university departments to ensure alignment with evolving policies and regulatory requirements
Office Administrator
Destination Auto Group
Burnaby, Canada
12.2019 - 12.2021
- Contract Management & Negotiations: Led strategic contract negotiations with vendors and partners, achieving favorable terms and contributing to 10% organizational cost savings
- Operational Leadership: Managed complex inventory systems for 500+ units, providing strategic insights for operational optimization and quality assurance
- Process Development: Implemented systematic procedures for financial processing and reporting, enhancing organizational productivity and data accuracy
- Team Development: Mentored and trained administrative staff, ensuring operational continuity and maintaining high performance standards
Project Manager
Fortis Healthcare
Mumbai, India
11.2015 - 12.2019
- Multi-Project Leadership: Directed portfolio of 20+ concurrent projects within healthcare environment, developing strategic roadmaps, defining milestones, and ensuring positive ROI through rigorous cost analysis
- Cross-Departmental Coordination: Facilitated communication and collaboration across diverse organizational units, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and successful project outcomes
- Change Management Implementation: Managed complex organizational changes and stakeholder communications, reducing project delays while maintaining quality standards and stakeholder satisfaction
Project Coordinator – Development & Alumni Engagement
University of Mumbai
Mumbai, India
09.2011 - 11.2015
- Strategic Fundraising Support: Supported institutional advancement initiatives aligned with university strategic planning, managing comprehensive donor recognition and stewardship programs for 300+ stakeholders
- Stakeholder Communication: Developed high-quality solicitation materials and strategic proposals, engaging diverse university departments and external partners to strengthen institutional relationships
- Database Management & Process Development: Enhanced fundraising operational processes, ensuring accurate gift processing and timely stakeholder acknowledgments while maintaining data integrity
Education
Project Management Professional - PMP
Project Management Institute
Vancouver, BC06-2024
Master of Business Administration - MBA
Alliance University
Bangalore, India07-2011
Bachelor of Science - Pharmacy
Mumbai University
Mumbai05-2009
Skills
- Strategic project management: full project lifecycle management
- Multi-project coordination
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Change management strategy development and implementation
- Stakeholder engagement: senior leadership collaboration
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Partnership development
- Community relations
- Donor and alumni engagement
- Operational excellence: strategic planning and execution
- Process optimization
- Budget management
- Performance evaluation frameworks
- Compliance and governance
- Communication and leadership: Diplomatic relationship management
- Confidential matter handling
- Team mentorship
- Public relations
- Presentation and proposal development
Languages
English: Excellent, Hindi: Excellent, Punjabi: Good
Key Achievements
- Complex Project Leadership: Successfully managed donor stewardship program transformation, completing ahead of schedule and under budget while increasing stakeholder satisfaction by 50%
- Strategic Process Enhancement: Streamlined university database management processes, reducing data retrieval time by 30% and improving strategic decision-making capabilities
- Partnership Development: Developed targeted engagement programs resulting in 15% increase in stakeholder retention and measurable improvement in relationship metrics
- Organizational Impact: Boosted team productivity by 40% through standardized procedures and process improvements, directly contributing to operational excellence
- Resource Optimization: Achieved 10% cost savings through strategic contract negotiations and vendor relationship management
Additional Qualifications
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion through multi-cultural work experience and stakeholder engagement
- Experience managing sensitive and confidential organizational matters with highest level of discretion
- Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining strategic alignment with organizational objectives
- Strong analytical and intuitive problem-solving capabilities with strategic and systems thinking approach
Timeline
Development Coordinator – Major Gift Projects, Faculty of Arts
University of British Columbia
10.2023 - Current
Administrator – Student & Faculty Awards, Peter A. Allard School of Law
University of British Columbia
12.2021 - 10.2023
Office Administrator
Destination Auto Group
12.2019 - 12.2021
Project Manager
Fortis Healthcare
11.2015 - 12.2019
Project Coordinator – Development & Alumni Engagement
University of Mumbai
09.2011 - 11.2015
Project Management Professional - PMP
Project Management Institute
Master of Business Administration - MBA
Alliance University
Bachelor of Science - Pharmacy
Mumbai University
Similar Profiles
Ethan Porter-HughesEthan Porter-Hughes
Graduate Teaching Assistant at University Of British ColumbiaGraduate Teaching Assistant at University Of British Columbia
Sasha DvoskinSasha Dvoskin
Research Assistant / Technician 1 at University of British Columbia (UBC)Research Assistant / Technician 1 at University of British Columbia (UBC)
Deni PerezDeni Perez
<ul> <li>Coordinate logistics and communications for Year 2 academic programming, including lecture and lab schedules.</li> <li>Manage onboarding of instructors and facilitate Workday processes for honoraria and payroll submissions.</li> <li>Support budget reconciliation, maintain student records, and advise on university policies.</li> </ul> at University of British Columbia – Faculty of Medicine<ul> <li>Coordinate logistics and communications for Year 2 academic programming, including lecture and lab schedules.</li> <li>Manage onboarding of instructors and facilitate Workday processes for honoraria and payroll submissions.</li> <li>Support budget reconciliation, maintain student records, and advise on university policies.</li> </ul> at University of British Columbia – Faculty of Medicine
Gayathri SudeerGayathri Sudeer
Research Project Assistant at University of British Columbia, Asian Studies Dept.Research Project Assistant at University of British Columbia, Asian Studies Dept.
Sean Fuwei WongSean Fuwei Wong
Financial Modeling and Policy Research Intern at PSS & AmarencoFinancial Modeling and Policy Research Intern at PSS & Amarenco