RONALD SLATER
Whitby,Canada
Summary
Program management professional with strong track record of driving successful projects and initiatives. Skilled in strategic planning, budget management, and stakeholder engagement. Known for fostering team collaboration and adapting to evolving project requirements, ensuring consistent achievement of objectives. Proven ability in leadership, problem-solving, and delivering impactful results.
Talented Program Director skilled in handling administrative, operational and outreach program functions. Wears many hats to accomplish dynamic objectives. Ready to apply 30+ years of experience to new professional challenges with growth-oriented organization.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Director Scotiabank North
Scotiabank
10.2019 - 01.2025
- Program Director leading $215MM relocation of Scotiabank corporate head office
- Lead the program including Design, Construction, Technology, Operations and Change Management
- Scheduled and supervised staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones.
- Led change management initiatives, fostering a positive organizational culture during periods of transition.
- Recruited and trained staff and volunteers to upgrade collective team skills.
- Established strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders for collaborative problem solving.
- Coordinated budgeting, scheduling and resource allocation to facilitate smooth flow of operations.
Director, Workplace Transformation
Scotiabank
10.2015 - 10.2019
- Real Estate lead for Transformation program encompassing 2.2 million sf office portfolio in GTA
- Lead the integrated Real Estate Team (Leasing, Design, Construction and facilities), to build out $75MM transformation
- 3 year reduced rentable space by 400,000 sf, and transformed the way 8,000 staff work
- Key member of leadership team that developed Activity Based Working methodology
- Value engineered construction and design to achieve a 5% reduction in capital costs
- Negotiated favorable contracts with vendors for reduced costs and improved service quality.
- Led team that brought $105MM of projects on budget and on time over three years
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Director, Real Estate
Scotiabank
08.2010 - 10.2015
- Managed planning and implementation of capital programs for 3.3 million sf office portfolio across Canada
- Built and developed an 11member team of Corporate Real Estate Project Managers and designers
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs.
- Boosted client satisfaction rates through exceptional relationship management and prompt resolution of issues.
- Evaluated employee performance objectively using established metrics, leading to fair compensation adjustments based on meritocracy principles.
Senior Project Manager
Scotiabank
01.2007 - 08.2010
- Managed planning, design and implementation of retail branch capital program for 15 Caribbean countries
- Established positive working relationships with external contractors in multiple markets
- Developed project analysis report to improve business case development
- Developed Twenty eight projects (across twelve countries) from $2MM - $15MM in 36 month span
- Lead three regional project teams to deliver projects within approved budgets
Vice President, Real Estate and Construction
Country Food Services Inc.
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Implemented a development strategy that identified new store types and focussed real estate search on markets with high development probabilities
- Increased new store openings by 250% in first full fiscal year
- Opened first non-drive thru store in new brand image within downtown core
- Successfully rolled out new store concept
- Built and led a cross functional team for all aspects of new store design project, including leasing, design, construction and operations
- Renovated 28% of store chain in first full year
- Reduced capital costs for typical renovation by 18%
- A great success for the company was CFA recognition of new brand image
- Introduced use of outside real estate consultants to site development
- Maintained development overhead budget while increasing resources by 300%
- Utilized resource to develop strategic partnerships
- Improved pipeline for new sites by more than double in 24-month timeframe
- Resulting in steady development growth from 1 store in 2005 to 8 stores in 2006 and 11 stores in 2007
Sr. Project Manager, New Store Development
Canadian Tire Real Estate Limited
01.1988 - 01.2000
- Maintained schedules to meet key milestones at every project phase.
- Directed changes to project scope and cost and implemented appropriate change management processes to keep project on track.
- Managed capital projects for $24M+ annual budget, delivering 300,000+ SF
- Planned and conducted design and tenders for 30+ projects
- Managed store development from market analysis to construction for 34-store program
- Resulted in record 48 store openings in 1999 across Canada
- Negotiated municipal, regional and provincial approvals for more than 40 locations
Education
Civil Engineering Technology -
01.1984
Skills
- Collaborative Relationship Management
- Proficient Team Leader
- Strategic Program Management
- Team Growth Initiatives
- Strategic Development
- Budgeting and financial management
- Key Performance Assessment
- Project Timeline Management
- Contract preparation
- Project management
- Proficient in Conflict Resolution
Accomplishments
- Completed the Head office relocation for Scotiabank by completing managing a team of 35 internal employees and outside consultants.
- Collaborated with team of 15 in the development of Activity based workplace at Scotiabank resulting in a 40% reduction in real estate space,
- Lead project to centralize Operations team from 27 to four location in leas than three years.
Certification
- Chair Scotiahope United Way Campaign, 2011
- Competent communicator, Competent Leader, Toastmaster International
- Chairman United Way Canvassing Committee for Canadian Tire Corporation, 1997
- Leader Retail/Merchandising ISG for ARMA International
- Past chairman OBEC (Ontario Building Envelope Council) air and moisture committee
- Business advisor to Toronto Junior achievement
- Facilitator for internal business re-engineering
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Elementary
French
Elementary
Timeline
Program Director Scotiabank North - Scotiabank
10.2019 - 01.2025
Director, Workplace Transformation - Scotiabank
10.2015 - 10.2019
Director, Real Estate - Scotiabank
08.2010 - 10.2015
Senior Project Manager - Scotiabank
01.2007 - 08.2010
Vice President, Real Estate and Construction - Country Food Services Inc.
01.2004 - 01.2007
Sr. Project Manager, New Store Development - Canadian Tire Real Estate Limited
01.1988 - 01.2000
Centennial College - Civil Engineering Technology,
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