Christopher Puente
Fuquay-Varina,NC
Summary
A seasoned, certified project manager with ten years of experience in the video game development, software implementation, and quality assurance fields. Proven success delivering high quality projects on-time, and on-budget, while providing an excellent client experience. PMP certification earned in August 2012.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director/Senior Director of Programs and Delivery
ARAVO THIRD PARTY RISK MANANGEMENT
08.2019 - 09.2024
- Promoted to Senior Director of Programs and Delivery in April of 2024
- Successfully implemented TPRM programs for Top Fortune 500 companies, including global leaders in technology, finance, and pharmaceuticals, driving digital transformation and operational efficiency
- Established and led Project Management Office (PMO) from inception, including defining governance structures, developing project management frameworks, creating standardized processes, and implementing tools for project tracking, risk management, and reporting to drive organizational efficiency and alignment across multiple projects
- Directly managed and mentored team of Implementation Project Managers, overseeing project delivery, resource allocation, performance evaluations, and career development, while ensuring successful implementation of Aravo solutions within scope, budget, and timeline
- Led resource planning and allocation across multiple projects, ensuring optimal utilization of personnel and skills to meet project demands, while balancing workloads and managing capacity to drive successful program execution and delivery
- Provided strategic oversight of multiple concurrent SaaS implementations, ensuring alignment with business objectives, managing risks, and coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time, within scope, and budget, while driving continuous process improvement
- Built and nurtured strong client relationships, fostering trust and open communication, which resulted in increased client satisfaction, repeat business, and smoother project execution through proactive issue resolution and alignment with client goals
- Designed and implemented in-house hybrid Agile model for SaaS implementations, blending Agile and Waterfall methodologies to optimize flexibility and structure, resulting in improved project delivery speed, enhanced collaboration, and increased adaptability to client requirements
SaaS Implementation Project Manager
ARAVO THIRD PARTY RISK MANAGEMENT
05.2018 - 08.2019
- Successfully delivered the Aravo TPRM Solution to industry leaders in the automotive and technology sectors, ensuring seamless implementation and operational success
- Performed hands-on configuration and customization of Aravo Third Party Risk Management solution, including workflow design, data modeling, dashboards, reporting, data migration, and system integrations, ensuring seamless alignment with client business requirements and technical specifications
- Managed full lifecycle of SaaS implementation projects, including scoping, planning, execution, and delivery, while coordinating with cross-functional teams and ensuring project objectives were met on time and within budget.
- Facilitated communication between clients, technical teams, and stakeholders, ensuring alignment on project goals, timelines, and deliverables, while managing expectations and providing regular status updates.
- Developed project plans, timelines, and resource allocation strategies, using agile and waterfall methodologies to ensure efficient project execution and risk mitigation.
- Monitored and tracked project progress, managing risks, resolving issues, and making data-driven decisions to ensure smooth delivery and continuous client satisfaction.
- Conducted post-implementation reviews and project retrospectives, identifying areas for process improvement and applying lessons learned to future projects.
Technology Project Manager
TOWN OF CARY, NORTH CAROLINA (Contract)
04.2017 - 05.2018
- Managed vendor and client relationships to ensure clear communication, alignment of project goals, and successful delivery of customized solutions on the Salesforce platform
- Led internal Salesforce team to develop a work order system for the Public Works department
- Project managed a $2.5M vendor implementation of a customized Salesforce solution for Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts
- Collaborated to develop a project intake process and establish a Project Management Office (PMO) to meet organizational needs
- Prepared project plans and schedules, acted as the main point of contact for external/internal developers, and worked with customers to define and manage project scope
Technical Project Manager – Digital Presence Team
CISCO (Contract)
10.2016 - 03.2017
- Delivered eight API and mobile projects concurrently, meeting weekly deadlines and adhering to the sprint task list.
- Collaborated with the Product Manager, Technical Lead, and QA Lead to develop milestone schedules.
- Tracked project dependencies to ensure deadlines were consistently met.
- Prepared and presented Readiness Reviews for software releases, covering budget, resources, ROI, KPIs, features, project management strategies, test summaries, and risks to executive stakeholders.
- Operated in an agile, iterative environment focused on customer feedback
- Conducted quarterly Project Performance Analyses (PPAs) to support continuous project improvement.
Implementation Project Manager
JAGGAER/SCIQUEST
05.2016 - 10.2016
- Managed up to five concurrent SaaS implementation projects, developing project plans and tracking progress
- Led teams to define client business requirements and ensured timely solution deployment and issue resolution
- Established strong client relationships, driving high satisfaction
- Collaborated with internal teams to address and resolve client issues
Technology Services Project Manager
NC COMMUNITY COLLEGES’ BIONETWORK
09.2012 - 02.2016
- Responsible for all phases of project management for e-learning, web, and video development
- Successfully managed and delivered projects for leading global tech companies including Grifols, Purdue Pharma, Qualitest, and EMC2
- Coordinated multiple concurrent projects through the software development life cycle, guiding them through initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and close
- Initiated organization-wide rollout of project management software resulting in enhanced productivity and transparency
- Identified and analyzed project risks early and instituted appropriate response measures
- Oversaw the completion of twenty e-learning projects in a three-year period
- Determined the need for external consultants or contractors
- Directed planning and scoping activities with subject matter experts, external and internal stakeholders
- Provided leadership and coaching to ensure team members hit key milestones
- Used digital communication tools to coordinate geographically dispersed stakeholders
- Provided quality assurance plans, testing, and led group review sessions
- Developed tools, templates, and best practices for project management based on PMI standards.
Quality Assurance Analyst
RED STORM ENTERTAINMENT
02.2012 - 08.2012
- Performed multiplayer functional testing on “Ghost Recon: Future Soldier” for Xbox 360 and PS3
Producer / Lead Producer
VICIOUS CYCLE SOFTWARE
07.2008 - 07.2010
- Served as Producer or Lead Producer on four cross-platform global retail products covering 40 individual product SKUs
- Managed projects through the software development life cycle, guiding them from discovery through design, development and deployment
- Provided oversight of cross-functional project team consisting of up to fifty artist, designers, and programmers in a matrix environment
- Communicated with licensor's and publishing regularly to ensure that all feedback was noted and addressed
Associate Producer
LUXOFLUX
08.2007 - 07.2008
- Served as an Associate Producer on Kung Fu Panda for the Xbox 360 and PS3
- Responsibilities included assisting the Senior Producer in the management of over forty cross-functional team members throughout the development to closure of the game
- Trained and mentored Production Coordinator and Test Lead both of whom were new to their positions
- Oversaw internal test team – Designed and implemented test plan, monitored and directed day-to-day activities.
Associate Producer / Production Coordinator
TREYARCH
10.2005 - 08.2007
- Served as Associate Producer and Production Coordinator on the AAA title Spider-Man 3 for the Xbox 360 and PS3
- Managed and implemented Xbox 360 and PS3 burn process including submission for 1st party compliance, coordinating with Activision’s Technical Compliance Group and burn room
- Assisted Producer in management of Story Artists and Designers, recording meeting minutes, updating documents, and archiving assets.
Quality Assurance Project Lead, Floor Lead, Single Player Coordinator, Customer Support Representative and Engineer
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD PUBLISHING
09.2002 - 10.2005
Education
Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology
Cal Poly - Pomona
08.2001
Skills
- Program Management
- Strategic Planning
- Client Relationship Management
- Agile & Waterfall Methodologies
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Risk Management
- Change Management
- Process Improvement
- Client Management
Certification
- Project Management Professional, 1528832, 08/2012
- E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate, 08/27/2014
Other Information
Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Project, Basecamp, Podio, Bugherd, Perforce, DevTrack, Unity, Unreal Engine, GameMaker, WebEx, Skype, GoToMeeting, JIRA, Clarizen, Salesforce, Smartsheet
Timeline
Director/Senior Director of Programs and Delivery
ARAVO THIRD PARTY RISK MANANGEMENT
08.2019 - 09.2024
SaaS Implementation Project Manager
ARAVO THIRD PARTY RISK MANAGEMENT
05.2018 - 08.2019
Technology Project Manager
TOWN OF CARY, NORTH CAROLINA (Contract)
04.2017 - 05.2018
Technical Project Manager – Digital Presence Team
CISCO (Contract)
10.2016 - 03.2017
Implementation Project Manager
JAGGAER/SCIQUEST
05.2016 - 10.2016
Technology Services Project Manager
NC COMMUNITY COLLEGES’ BIONETWORK
09.2012 - 02.2016
Quality Assurance Analyst
RED STORM ENTERTAINMENT
02.2012 - 08.2012
Producer / Lead Producer
VICIOUS CYCLE SOFTWARE
07.2008 - 07.2010
Associate Producer
LUXOFLUX
08.2007 - 07.2008
Associate Producer / Production Coordinator
TREYARCH
10.2005 - 08.2007
Quality Assurance Project Lead, Floor Lead, Single Player Coordinator, Customer Support Representative and Engineer
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD PUBLISHING
09.2002 - 10.2005
Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology
Cal Poly - Pomona
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