Mike Kovalcik
Technology Executive
Overland Park,KS
Summary
Seasoned and result-driven Technology Leader with extensive experience in strategic portfolio management, adept at directing large-scale initiatives and fostering organizational agility within high-value product landscapes. Excel at transforming business planning goals into actionable technology roadmaps, ensuring seamless alignment with corporate objectives. Spearheaded significant improvements in portfolio planning and product development transparency, enhancing strategic decision-making processes. Steered high-performance teams across the country through complex mergers, fostering strong collaboration and leveraging unique strengths of geo-diverse workforce.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
11
11
Years of leadership experience
Skills
- Strategic Portfolio Management
- Data Analytics & KPI Management
- Technology Transformation
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Agile Methodologies
- Product Development Lifecycle
- Process Optimization
- Change Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Financial & Budget Management
- Team Leadership & Development
- Stakeholder Engagement
Work History
Director - Product & Engineering, Strategic Portfolio Management
T-MOBILE
Overland Park, KS
04.2020 - 04.2024
- Directed strategic initiatives to align with business planning objectives and technology roadmap for organization of 30 with annual portfolio budget of approximately $1B
- Oversaw adoption of product/platform-based agile methodology across company and facilitate streamlined quarterly portfolio planning process, reducing cycle time significantly
- Established and maintained key performance indicators for each product, focusing on delivery planning and financials, and regularly present findings to senior executives
- Fostered cross-functional collaboration through agile IT supply and demand alignment process
- Mentored junior team members and external professionals, fostering professional development
- Reduced quarterly portfolio planning cycle time from seven days to 1.5 days, optimizing planning efficiency
- Converted approximately 15K personnel into agile teams, enhancing productivity and collaboration for over 300 products/platforms
- Implemented 52-week Current Best Estimate (CBE) concept, significantly improving transparency and confidence in product development plans
- Defined critical KPIs for portfolio products, leading to more informed strategic decisions and regular executive-level reviews
- Managed integration of agile IT and business alignment process, improving clarity on project status and fostering cross-group collaboration
- Identified and resolved inefficiencies in capital capture process during agile methodology launch, resulting in approximately $15M increase monthly capital spend and reduced operational expenses
- Pioneered 'Lead Block-A-Thon' series, eliminating team-identified roadblocks and boosting team efficiency through lean agile principles
- Led strategic redesign of organization based on new agile working model, optimizing operations for improved efficiency and effectiveness
- Consistently achieved top performer rating in annual performance reviews.
Director - IT Portfolio Management
Sprint
Overland Park, KS
05.2018 - 04.2020
- Orchestrated IT product and project/program management teams and oversaw cross-functional efforts in high-stakes environments, leading to successful execution of critical initiatives such as Boost Mobile cross-provisioning project
- Provided visionary leadership during merger process with T-Mobile, maintaining transparency and building trust to foster culture of high performance among team of 30 account and project managers
- Presented complex project status and risk mitigation plans to C-Suite executives, fostering trust and confidence in technical expertise
- Aligned cross-provisioning efforts, between Sprint and T-Mobile, with software engineering and business units, achieving coordinated release schedules and meeting crucial deadlines
- Enabled realization of $7.5B in cost synergies through meticulous management of merger-related IT initiatives
- Led seamless integration of T-Mobile merger through clear communication, strategic planning, and team guidance, ensuring operational continuity and a high-performance environment during organizational change
- Spearheaded significant payment transformation initiative aligning with federal standards, optimizing all payment touchpoints and streamlining business operations by effectively managing risks with executive stakeholders to ensure timely launch
- Recognized as top performer with exceptional promise for advancing into future leadership positions
- Chosen as top-tier mentor for advanced mentoring program, facilitating monthly group sessions to lead discussions and offer leadership insights on specific topics.
Manager - IT Project Management
Sprint
Overland Park, KS
06.2015 - 05.2018
- Guided team of project managers in successful execution of strategic IT projects and streamlined project delivery mechanisms, which consistently met deadlines and respected financial parameters
- Fostered collaboration among executive stakeholders to introduce Prepaid Installment Billing system, demonstrating keen strategic planning and project management acumen
- Developed and deployed 52-week IT demand plan that synchronized with company objectives, significantly improving transparency of initiatives for senior leadership and boosting organizational decision-making
- Successfully directed implementation of IT project for Apple device serial number integration, meeting rigorous deadlines and budgetary limits
- Played pivotal role in deployment of Prepaid Installment Billing initiative, demonstrating innovation in project conception and execution
- Crafted and executed detailed strategic IT demand plan, enhancing enterprise-wide visibility and aiding in efficient resource allocation
- Provided executive leadership with regular, insightful updates on project progression and hurdles, aiding in informed strategic direction
- Promoted to Executive position due to exceptional performance in aligning IT projects with corporate goals, ensuring strategic coherence.
Manager - IT Account Management
Sprint
Overland Park, KS
12.2013 - 06.2015
- Led team of business consultants in gathering requirements through use-case methodology to facilitate project funding and approvals
- Served as pivotal liaison between business sector and IT department, collaborating with architects to craft solutions that addressed organizational needs
- Executed strategies for integrating key partners into company's product ecosystem, enhancing revenue streams and expanding market presence
- Successfully guided team in securing project approvals, ensuring alignment with financial objectives and business strategies
- Fostered collaborative environment that bridged gap between business requirements and IT capabilities, resulting in tailored solutions
- Championed partnership with Spotify, establishing it as significant contributor to company's revenue and product diversification.
IT Account Manager
Sprint
Overland Park, KS
09.2008 - 12.2013
- Mastered API coding independently, enabling seamless automated testing for 30+ APIs during migration of wholesale billing system from Convergys to Amdocs.
- Oversaw requirements, created architectural solutions, and managed change requests for integrating Chrysler into Sprint's new connected vehicle program, facilitating successful Chrysler launch within Sprint ecosystem.
System Integrator
Sprint
Overland Park, KS
04.2006 - 09.2008
- Uplifted partnership with MVNOs through proficient handling of operational challenges and introduction of innovative products for enhanced success.
Software IT Manager
Larson Binkley
Leawood, KS
07.2005 - 04.2006
- Advised on and advocated for innovative engineering software to top executives, ensuring technological edge for enhanced competitiveness.
Software Engineer
Sprint
Overland Park, KS
10.2002 - 07.2005
- Coordinated 20+ organizations for test environment setup to align with release timeline.
- Supported customer billing app in front-end GUI and backend databases.
Consultant
Accenture
Overland Park, KS
06.2001 - 10.2002
- Enhanced performance and optimized business processes for market competitiveness through IT consulting services.
Education
Master of Business Administration in Management Information Systems -
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Kansas City, MOBachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering -
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MOCertification
- Foundations of Cybersecurity, Google, 06/2024, VRAEFYYTHSS6
- Play It Safe: Manage Security Risks, Google, 07/2024, EE3QZRZC2XGC
Timeline
Director - Product & Engineering, Strategic Portfolio Management
T-MOBILE
04.2020 - 04.2024
Director - IT Portfolio Management
Sprint
05.2018 - 04.2020
Manager - IT Project Management
Sprint
06.2015 - 05.2018
Manager - IT Account Management
Sprint
12.2013 - 06.2015
IT Account Manager
Sprint
09.2008 - 12.2013
System Integrator
Sprint
04.2006 - 09.2008
Software IT Manager
Larson Binkley
07.2005 - 04.2006
Software Engineer
Sprint
10.2002 - 07.2005
Consultant
Accenture
06.2001 - 10.2002
Master of Business Administration in Management Information Systems -
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering -
University of Missouri-Columbia