Project Manager/

Implementation Manager

Transformation Lead

What

Management of any type of project entails balancing time, costs and quality. Saving on any one of these three aspects automatically affects the outcome of the other two. A project manager is adept at keeping track of timelines and milestones while maintaining budgets and ensuring that the outcome yields the desired value. Most projects I have been involved with pertain to some aspect of IT development, implementation or adoption by a larger user base. For this reason I place large importance on the human aspect of the transitions that any project brings along.

Success StorIES

As Product Owner for audit related applications at a Big Four company, not only have I guided deployments of new versions of the backbone audit file and workflow application and helped users get the most out of features as they developed, I have also designed and lead the implementation of the automation of the archiving process that concludes the statutory audit process. For more details, please refer to section Product Owner above.

Later, at the same Big Four company, I managed the organisational changes resulting from the implementation of a ticketing system (based on Axxerion). The objectives of this system were to empower employees with automated self-service regarding internal HR, Facilities and Finance services, as well as enabling them to submit and track tickets to these departments. This project was closely related to the simultaneous global implementation of SAP SuccessFactors, which itself called for profound change in HR processes. My contributions included:

  • drafting/updating detailed process documentation of HR, Facilities and Finance processes,

  • performing an in-depth risk analysis of each process,

  • identifying opportunities for automation and kickstarting their implementation, e.g. by using robotics,

  • reengineering processes to mitigate risks and leverage automation opportunities,

  • setting up the content management system behind the ticketing system in both Dutch and English,

  • change management, including organization-wide communications and training.

More recently, once again at the same Big Four company, as Tech and Communications Manager I had the privilege to transform HR’s hiring process for freelance professionals which was increasingly becoming a vital aspect of the staffing strategy. Here I oversaw the requirements drafting and selection processes of both an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) as well as a CRM in which to manage the relationship with a broader community of stakeholders. Awaiting the actual implementation of the selected ATS, I took the opportunity to design and develop a temporary ATS on the Microsoft Power Platform (using SharePoint, Power Apps and Power Automation) and successfully test implement this solution in close collaboration with the IT team. Not only did this automate many aspects of the flex hiring process, it also greatly enhanced the user experience for both hiring managers and recruiters. This project also entailed redesign of the flex hiring process, training of recruiters (to adopt the Microsoft Teams, SharePoint and the Power Platform) and communication to internal and external business stakeholders. To this end I created tasteful brochures (in English and Dutch) as well as an intranet portal, complete with a content management system.

Why Me

The size and scope of any project notwithstanding, it starts with establishing a vision and being able to communicate it with stakeholders. I challenge them to think outside of the box and jointly draft a plan to realise that vision within accepted constraints of time, costs and quality. In the process, I immerse myself into the users’ everyday experience as I research their capabilities and needs, and strive to enthuse and coach them towards better ways of working.