Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
Timeline
Hi, I’m

John D Kennedy

Head Of Program Planning
Laguna Hills,CA
John D Kennedy

Summary

A highly qualified manager embodying hybrid skill sets, optimizing processes to meet the fluidity of the modern work environment. Experience on a global scale with the ability to thrive within diverse, disruptive, dynamic, high-pressure environments to deliver result-oriented goals. A motivational leader using solid collaborative team-building skills, with exceptional communication and mediation skills, critical in aligning cross-functional teams and comprehension of information streams at team and board level.

Overview

35
years of professional experience

Work History

Indi Ev
Los Angeles, CA

Head of Program Planning
06.2019 - 01.2022

Job overview

Electric Vehicle Start-up, enriching driving and digital life experience. Executive team leader, heading PMO, leading cross-functional domain teams to provide scalable solutions. meeting program and marketing challenges. Hybrid role included Head of operations and brand. Reported to VP and Founder.

  • On hiring, Identified risk and deficiencies in triple restraint alignment. Instigated corrective actions, re-aligning a path to a viable launch strategy.
  • Product strategy / requirements and feature set development for first automotive 'gaming' car.
  • Cost analysis and mitigation. Established program budget. Corrected annual overspend by 25%, realigned program milestones with annual cap control.
  • Established fundamental program management processes, (PMBOK) driving visibility via digital toolkit and reporting strategy adding accountability via measurement metrics and performance targets.
  • Lifecycle management strategy, aligning requirements for data governance, issue, risk, change management, inventory control and plan for every part, increasing accountability, communication, and awareness.
  • Developed and strategized non-traditional digital marketing strategies (Metaverse, NFT's, AI integration). Worked with digital marketing teams on social media campaigns, web presence and viral content.
  • Brand awareness campaign. Fulfilled Indi experience center leading to successful launch events. Managed LA auto-show launch. Produced IPO investor deck, press releases. Conducted press interviews and investor presentations.

Icona Design Group
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Head of Program Management
02.2017 - 06.2019

Job overview

International design consultancy. Head of US programs and responsible for US growth strategy. Hybrid role, including operations, strategy, and new business development. Developed requirements, budgets, scheduling, and negotiated contracts. Hired staff and outsourcing. Reported to CEO, COO, CDO.

  • Utilized global and local asset streams to manage complex, high-value programs, including prestigious NUCLEUS autonomous lounge. Exceeded profit and scheduling milestones, leading to increased sales of services and alternate business streams.
  • Product and business strategy, conducted research and planning, leading to growth opportunities and JV partnerships.
  • Introduced cloud PM solution for GLOBAL integration, reducing inefficiencies, increasing visibility, and improving profitability with improved data analytics.
  • Reduced time to market, introducing digital pipeline best practice process. Assessing tools versus time vs cost vs client satisfaction, adding value proposition of 'matching world innovation with Italian design’.
  • Introduced mentorship program. Improving skill sets and exposing clients to a common standard: the ‘Icona way'. Resulted in increased synergy with clients, increased employee satisfaction and retention within competitive market.

Faraday Future
Los Angeles, CA

Head of Operations
05.2014 - 05.2015

Job overview

Electric Vehicle Start-up. Managed design operational and program activities. Blue sky development of product, process, requirements, and facility. Reported to Sr. VP and VP product development.

  • Oversaw brand inception, bench marking, persona targets, brand positioning and web design.
  • Facilitated implementation of R&D and design facility, creating scope, requirements, schedules, costing, and procurement strategies. Worked across cross-functional teams and enterprise stakeholders.
  • Developed product road map, defining business case, costing mechanisms, resource allocation and scheduling, aligning strategic milestones and phased release for Product one, reducing time to market and cost.
  • Researched and integrated best practice solutions for data governance (Program Lifecycle Management) and bespoke digital toolset.

Technicon Design Group
San Juan Capistrano, CA

Creative Center manager | consultant, Sr Manager
09.2008 - 02.2017

Job overview

International design and engineering consultancy. Spearheaded growth initiatives, establishing Technicon as total service solution managing all US based programs, budgets, contracts, staffing, and procurement. Roles included new business development, program management, and operations. Reported to CEO.

  • Achieved strategic partnership, for training academy, with high value clients, leading to profitable revenue streams.
  • Developed training documentation and plans. Trained staff and clients on digital tools and process.
  • Cultivated and strengthened client relationships, leading to successful execution of a portfolio of programs.
  • Successfully managed global asset allocation to reduce operational risk and maximize profit.
  • Identified cost improvements via aggressive implementation of new digital technologies (FLUID design), resulting in decreased project timeframes and increased profitability.

901 Design
Laguna Beach, CA

Program Management, Design, Process - REDUX
01.1996 - 02.2017

Job overview

Consultancy. Global experience combining hybrid skill set and management roles (Engineering, Design, Program management, operations, marketing, brand and new business development).

  • Supported design and engineering development, from concept to production, within multiple legacy OEM's (Audi–BMW–CHRYSLER–RENAULT–VOLVO), startups, consultancies, and motorsport companies
  • Influenced Mazda RETAIL REVOLUTION, re-imagining dealership experience to reflect brand targets. Designed retail revolution aesthetic and re-imagined user experience.
  • Subject Matter Expert: business development for DASSAULT / IBM, opening global opportunities in Korea and Malaysia. Planned, developed course content, establishing best practices, leading to increased sales and user satisfaction.

Education

University of Hertfordshire
Hatfield, United Kingdom

BSc from Engineering

Skills

Project management Portfolio management Product strategy Operations Brand management New Business Development

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Interests

Film and the art of storytelling, enhanced by obtaining a film making diploma at the London film school. Musical outlets extend to strumming a few chords on the guitar. I am an active proponent of self-learning, combining career objectives (Via LINKED_IN and UDEMY) and personal passions (Masterclass)

Timeline

Head of Program Planning

Indi Ev
06.2019 - 01.2022

Head of Program Management

Icona Design Group
02.2017 - 06.2019

Head of Operations

Faraday Future
05.2014 - 05.2015

Creative Center manager | consultant, Sr Manager

Technicon Design Group
09.2008 - 02.2017

Program Management, Design, Process - REDUX

901 Design
01.1996 - 02.2017

University of Hertfordshire

BSc from Engineering
John D KennedyHead Of Program Planning