Dereje Tariku
Denver,CO
Summary
Dynamic Principal Program and Project Manager with over 15 years of expertise in leading large-scale IT, cloud, and business transformation initiatives across diverse sectors, including technology, AI infrastructure, media, and education. Proven track record of delivering multi-million-dollar programs while driving cost reductions and enhancing operational efficiency. Proficient in Agile, SAFe, and enterprise program delivery methodologies, with exceptional skills in executive and stakeholder engagement. Committed to fostering collaboration within global, cross-functional teams to achieve strategic objectives and deliver impactful results.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal Project Manager
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Compute AI
Remote
07.2024 - 09.2025
- Led cross functional teams the delivery of NVIDIA GB200 GPU infrastructure, enabling large-scale AI data center expansion for global enterprise customers.
- Managed the full lifecycle from hardware procurement and data center build-out to testing, pilot, and general availability, ensuring on-time and high-quality delivery.
- Analyzed project performance metrics to identify improvement areas and drive continuous enhancements (GPU Testing process). Some of the improvement were to reduce the customer handover days from 23 days to 7 days.
- Directed multi-million-dollar global initiatives, coordinating engineering, supply chain, data center operations, and product teams across data centers.
- Enabled scalable AI compute capacity for multiple Fortune 500 clients, supporting mission-critical AI workloads.
Principal Project Manager
Oracle Advertising (OA)
Broomfield, CO
05.2018 - 07.2024
- Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of high-stakes projects within budget and timeline constraints.
- Developed project roadmaps and timelines to align with strategic business objectives. Some integration projects are LinkedIn, LR integration
- Implemented best practices in project management methodologies, enhancing team efficiency and collaboration.
- Drove cost reduction and resource optimization initiatives, improving project efficiency and delivery predictability.
- Served as primary liaison between technical teams and senior stakeholders, ensuring alignment on goals, risks, and timelines.
- Implemented vulnerability management tooling (Qualys), delivering executive-level reporting on security posture and active risks. Initial scan of systems revealed over 10k vulnerabilities.
- Fostered stakeholder engagement through regular updates and transparent communication channels.
- Mentored junior project managers, promoting best practices i project execution and lifecycle management.
- Established and reported on OA Security initiatives to Oracle security programs, including asset control and data protection.
Senior Program Manager
Pearson
Centennial, CO
05.2014 - 05.2018
- Led quarterly release planning and roadmap execution for GRID Services, Mobile, and Analytics Platforms.
- Managed complex technical dependencies across 4+ programs to ensure successful system integration and E2E testing.
- Assessed program health and performance, translating detailed execution data into clear executive status reporting.
- Proactively identified and mitigated program risks through structured governance and recurring stakeholder forums.
- Trained in and applied the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) across enterprise programs. This includes the portfolio level to the scrum team level execution.
- Implemented backlog grooming, stand-ups, and retrospectives, improving team efficiency.
- Addressed issues and risks promptly, ensuring smooth project progression.
- Facilitated team-building activities, fostering a cohesive work environment.
- Oversaw release activities, achieving timely project deliveries.
- Oversaw daily Scrum sessions, ensuring meticulous adherence to A
Senior Technical Project Manager
Pearson
Centennial, CO
12.2013 - 05.2014
- Introduced and scaled Agile and Scrum practices across 5 delivery teams.
- 3Facilitated sprint ceremonies, backlog grooming, retrospectives, and release planning across teams concurrently.
- Improved team collaboration and delivery cadence by effectively using retrospectives' output, which resulted in more predictable releases.
Business Analyst II
Dish Network
Englewood, CO
12.2007 - 12.2013
- Facilitated project priorities and requirements,
- Provided status updates to executives and stakeholders as a business lesson between IT and business stakeholders.
- Reduced development time by 50% through Joint Application Design (JAD) sessions on a complex system.
- Managed Clarify Upgrade, which is a revamp of the tool. This tool is used to handle Dish's return authorization process.
Senior IT Project Manager
Dish Network
Englewood, CO
01.2007 - 01.2013
- Managed Dish Network’s enterprise Business Transformation (BT), deploying 400+ software and infrastructure changes.
- Maintenance and upgrading of Oracle E-Business Suite hooked to ERP Oracle DB.
- Led three major software releases, coordinating 20–60 concurrent projects across 200+ systems.
- Delivered large-scale implementations including CRM, SaaS IVR, Workforce Management (WFM), and POS systems.
- Led a 25-member delivery team, completing 12 sprints on schedule.
- Facilitated large-scale governance and risk sessions with up to 100 stakeholders.
Education
Bachelor - Computer Information Systems
Colorado State University
Fort Collins05.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Marketing
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO04.2004
Skills
- Program & Portfolio Management
- Agile, Scrum & SAFe
- AI & Cloud Infrastructure
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Budget & Cost Optimization
- Risk & Dependency Management
- Enterprise Software Integration
- Executive & Stakeholder Communication
- CRM, SaaS & Platform Implementations
- Process Improvement
Certification
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) — Scrum Alliance
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) — Colorado State University
Languages
Amharic
Professional Working
Timeline
Principal Project Manager
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Compute AI
07.2024 - 09.2025
Principal Project Manager
Oracle Advertising (OA)
05.2018 - 07.2024
Senior Program Manager
Pearson
05.2014 - 05.2018
Senior Technical Project Manager
Pearson
12.2013 - 05.2014
Business Analyst II
Dish Network
12.2007 - 12.2013
Senior IT Project Manager
Dish Network
01.2007 - 01.2013
Bachelor - Computer Information Systems
Colorado State University
Bachelor of Arts - Marketing
Colorado State University