FAITHEMA M. HAIRSTON
Summary
Results-driven Deputy Program Manager with extensive experience at GDIT, recognized for enhancing program efficiency and elevating stakeholder satisfaction. Proven ability to foster team collaboration while leveraging strong project management and communication skills to surpass objectives. Successfully led a transformative initiative at Ernst & Young, scaling a program from 10 to over 200 associates, showcasing exceptional leadership and problem-solving expertise. Committed to driving continuous improvement and maximizing operational impact.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Deputy Program Manager
GDIT
01.2022 - Current
- Measure project performance using appropriate tools and techniques
- Reviewed deliverables from project teams prior to submission for accuracy and completeness.
- Successfully manage the relationships with the customer and all stakeholders
- Provided support for contract negotiations and management of subcontractors.
- Identified opportunities for improvement in process efficiency and effectiveness.
- Fostered a collaborative program environment, promoting teamwork and cross-functional cooperation.
- Utilized project management tools and methodologies to track program progress, identify variances, and implement corrective actions as necessary.
- Advised senior management on best practices related to program management processes.
- Supervised individual project leaders and provided support and motivation.
- Facilitated problem solving sessions among team members as needed to resolve issues quickly.
- Participated in reviews of new technologies or processes for potential use within the program.
Senior Account Support Associate/Project Manager
Ernst & Young
08.2012 - 01.2022
- Managed the process for identifying project risks and process improvement
- Knowledge manager for the engagement team, managing databases and websites
- Proactively provides transparent communication with key client contacts
- Serve as liaison between technical and non-technical departments to ensure all targets and requirements are met
- Oversees stakeholder expectations, project plans and communications, and provide updates
- Builds strong working relationships with external client personnel, while anticipating client needs
- Coordinated development of a new program initiative, including trainings and building the framework – the program grew from 10 ASA's to a program of 200+
- Internal management of troubled accounts providing guidance and recommendations for improvement while simultaneously managing client account with approximately 150 team members
- Works closely with engineers to develop a program that would run and automatic output for weekly updates, replacing a tedious financial review process; the new, streamlined process is time and cost efficient
- Central point of contact for the entire engagement and client officials
- Plans, coordinates, and executes the migration of engagement SharePoint site
- Provides guidance related to troubleshooting, maintenance, and support of SharePoint
- Coordinates consolidated status update for all workstreams
- Manages timely submission of contract amendments to ensure continuous funding
- Liaises with the account team and resource management on staff scheduling and resolving conflicts
- Coordinates risk management processes, such as engagement letters, client continuance, independence, and other regulatory requirements
Project Coordinator/Account Support Associate
Ernst & Young
07.2009 - 10.2012
- Company Overview: (Freddie Mac)
- Ensured and maintained on-boarding and off-boarding new team members
- Processed critical background checks for all new team members
- Built and leveraged productive and effective relationships with key client contacts
- Designed multiple spreadsheets tracking budgets, hours, invoice amounts and discounts per client agreement
- Processed and submitted contract amendments to add additional resources and date extensions to client
- Implemented client policy compliance and MSA requirement forms for all new team members
- Uploaded all engagement related documents in GRC into database
- (Freddie Mac)
Project Coordinator/Engagement Support Specialist
Ernst & Young
03.2008 - 07.2009
- Company Overview: (Lockheed Martin, Marriott, Discovery)
- Provided significant administrative support and project coordination to Partners and Senior Managers
- Managed orientation of new team members on security policies
- Acted as a peer advisor to new hires in the EA role
- Prepared weekly CMIR report; maintained team calendar
- Coordinated scheduling of quarterly review meetings
- Made international travel arrangements for the team as needed, tracked confirmations, and provided updates to team
- Tracked and filed engagement letters
- (Lockheed Martin, Marriott, Discovery)
Education
B.S. - Information Technology
University of Phoenix
Skills
- Program Planning
- Communications
- Teambuilding
- Providing Structure
- Problem Solving
- Project Coordination
- Client Relations
- Stakeholder Management
- Data Analysis
- Project Management
- Troubleshooting
- Project Leadership
- Resource allocation
- Vendor relationship management
Certification
- PMP
- CASP+
- Security+
Timeline
Deputy Program Manager
GDIT
01.2022 - Current
Senior Account Support Associate/Project Manager
Ernst & Young
08.2012 - 01.2022
Project Coordinator/Account Support Associate
Ernst & Young
07.2009 - 10.2012
Project Coordinator/Engagement Support Specialist
Ernst & Young
03.2008 - 07.2009
B.S. - Information Technology
University of Phoenix