Jennifer Knutsen

Led high-impact, cross-functional projects across Identity and Access Management, Data Protection, and Security Network teams, driving successful outcomes. Key achievements include:

• Managed cross-functional teams to deliver products (Prisma SASE, Microsoft Entra IAM Governance, and Microsoft Purview DLP & AIP) effectively troubleshooting issues and mitigating risks to meet business objectives.
• Introduced agile methodologies to streamline project tasks and enhance overall efficiency.
• Led project teams, swiftly resolving issues to maintain momentum and meet deadlines.
• Facilitated stakeholder communication, leading to improved alignment between business objectives and program goals.
• Managed budgets exceeding $4M, achieving a $2M annual spend reduction through detailed financial oversight.

Led a team of business analysts and system administrators in the successful implementation and management of an ITIL 4-based Enterprise Service Management framework and ITSM SaaS platforms, streamlining processes across Asset, Incident, Change, Problem and Configuration Management. Key achievements include:

• Established and standardized ITSM operational frameworks, including policies, procedures, KPIs, and SLAs, for Corporate IT, which were later adopted by the Commercial Services organization.
• Spearheaded migration and consolidation efforts for ITSM portfolio, streamlining processes during mergers and acquisition onboarding efforts.
• Fostered strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, leveraging feedback to refine processes, meet business needs, and ensure sustained, long-term partnerships.
• Led and provided performance management for high performing teams through strategic goal setting, regular evaluations, and mentoring of junior staff, fostering a high-performance culture that enhanced both productivity and team morale.
• Maintained ISO 27001 compliance by participating in audits and leading remediation efforts to address gaps and by applying robust security and governance practices.
• Led the Entrust Women's Alliance as Group Leader, driving initiatives to promote diversity, inclusion, and professional development across the organization.

Led a global engineering team in overseeing the core IT infrastructure, including the analysis, planning, implementation, and end-to-end lifecycle management of server, storage, backup, directory services, and Exchange platforms. Key achievements include:

• Led and mentored team of 25, establishing strategic goals and fostered skill development and career progression within the organization
• Managed large-scale projects and introduced new systems, tools, and processes to achieve challenging objectives.
  Led support and operations of core technologies for Enterprise Application & DevOps organizations including Microsoft 365, Exchange, Directory Services, Cisco UCS, Dell/IBM servers, VMware, Windows Server, Linux, Mac, Dell/NetApp storage, NetBackup, Veeam, SolarWinds, and Nagios.
• Revamped compute, storage, and backup platforms, enhancing operational performance and reducing resource utilization by 40% by implementing a private cloud, Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) environment.
• Strengthened data protection by defining and implementing backup strategies and architecting disaster recovery contingencies.
• Modernized operational processes by introducing Ansible automation, scripting, and configuration management.
  Spearheaded change management efforts for seamless adoption of new systems or processes among employees.
• Established infrastructure operational standards, spearheaded service delivery improvements, led migration and consolidation efforts for infrastructure portfolios during mergers and acquisitions and ensured compliance with ISO 27001 regulations.
• Partnered with Cybersecurity org to establish patching processes and remediate identified Threat and Vulnerability Management concerns.
• Managed key vendor relationships and contracts including Microsoft, VMWare, RedHat, Dell, and Cisco.

Led onshore, nearshore and offshore teams in the support and operations of IT infrastructure, databases, and collaboration platforms servicing 340,000 employees across headquarters, retail locations, distribution centers, and remote offices. Key achievements include:

• Oversaw operations, support, and lifecycle management for on prem and cloud platforms including Microsoft Exchange, Office, Skype, SolarWinds, Nagios, Polycom & Cisco Video Conferencing, and one of the world's largest video surveillance platforms using Axis cameras and Genetec software.
• Implemented and developed operational standards, policies and procedures.
• Collaborated closely with peers from other departments to drive organizational success jointly as one cohesive unit.
• Created detailed customer personas and conducted user interviews to optimize platform operational performance and align solutions with client requirements.
• Acted as Scrum Master for Wireless Network Engineering organization. Led program efforts to convert ethernet to fiber optics at all Target stores and conduct wireless upgrades at all distribution centers.
• Oversaw multiple budgets driving substantial financial efficiencies and realizing cost savings exceeding $5M.
• Led vendor contract negotiations and maintained key vendor relationships to drive operational success.

Led cross-functional projects to establish a non-production environment for Target Canada and implement an enterprise SIEM solution. Key achievements include:

• Coordinated cross-functional teams to determine timely delivery and compliance of project requirements.
• Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and adjust as needed.
• Captured and met GLBA, PCI, HIPAA and other compliance requirements.
• Developed and defined service and operational maturity models for Security Engineering organization.
• Delivered projects under tight deadlines and managed budgets exceeding $15M.