Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Awards
Affiliations
Accomplishments
Languages
References
Timeline
Generic
Nikhil Sawant

Nikhil Sawant

Tampa,USA

Summary

Seasoned Program Manager with a proven track record at Cognizant Technology Solutions, excelling in strategic planning and stakeholder management. Spearheaded global HCM & Financial ERP implementations, driving innovation and efficiency. Skilled in program leadership and risk management, consistently delivering projects within budget and timeline, achieving significant milestones with a focus on quality assurance and team building.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Program Manager

Cognizant Technology Solutions
College Station, USA
09.2003 - Current
  • Leading Global Testing efforts for Workday HCM implementation covering ~400K employees worldwide
  • Delivery of M&A solutions pertaining to HR systems integration
  • Planning, resource management, budgeting, KPI/risks reporting, Developing IT Center of Excellence, champion innovation and learning initiatives
  • Coordinated with internal stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the program initiatives.
  • Communicated regularly with external partners to ensure alignment of strategies and goals.
  • Negotiated contracts and agreements with vendors and suppliers.
  • Provided guidance and support to team members in order to achieve targets within defined deadlines.
  • Created presentations outlining proposed solutions for addressing challenges encountered during program execution.
  • Developed project plans, identified risks, set objectives and monitored progress towards completion.
  • Drafted reports for senior management highlighting key milestones achieved throughout the program lifecycle.
  • Collaborated with teams across departments to develop effective strategies for executing programs.
  • Negotiated scope changes with stakeholders, managing expectations and ensuring program deliverables remained aligned with strategic goals.
  • Oversaw program compliance with requirements, schedule and budget.
  • Worked closely with other departments to support program technical aspects and cost proposals.
  • Assessed accurate and relevant information for fact-based decision making.
  • Conducted risk assessments, developing and implementing risk management strategies to minimize impact on program objectives.
  • Led cross-functional teams in the successful delivery of program milestones, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
  • Interviewed prospective employees and provided input to HR on hiring decisions.
  • Resolved customer inquiries and complaints requiring management-level escalation.
  • Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.

Engagement Manager

Raymond James Associates
Tampa, FL
01.2017 - 01.2019
  • PeopleSoft HRMS and Financials Consulting Services
  • Revenue Managed: 6.5M USD
  • Team Size: 7 onsite/7 offshore
  • Analyzed customer requirements, identified potential risks and created mitigation plans.
  • Created detailed documentation such as business cases, project plans, process flows.
  • Identified opportunities for process optimization through automation or other means.
  • Facilitated workshops to develop strategy roadmaps for various initiatives across departments or organizations.
  • Implemented change management practices to ensure smooth transition from old systems to new ones.
  • Assessed customer feedback on performance metrics to identify areas of improvement.
  • Provided executive-level presentations on project status and results.
  • Identified opportunities for improvement in existing processes and proposed innovative solutions.
  • Ensured compliance with legal regulations during all phases of engagements.
  • Maintained positive relationships with stakeholders through effective communication and collaboration.
  • Consulted with customers to gather and define requirements.
  • Helped finalize negotiations and close sales deals.

Program Manager

Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI
01.2012 - 01.2017
  • Global PeopleSoft HCM 9.1 Implementation - Asia Pacific, North/South Americas, Europe, MEA
  • Revenue Managed: 5M USD
  • Team Size: 9 Onsite / 30 Offshore
  • Drafted reports for senior management highlighting key milestones achieved throughout the program lifecycle.
  • Developed and maintained project plans, schedules, and budgets.
  • Managed program budgets and timelines, ensuring projects stayed on track and within allocated resources.
  • Communicated regularly with external partners to ensure alignment of strategies and goals.
  • Developed project plans, identified risks, set objectives and monitored progress towards completion.
  • Implemented best practices in order to maximize efficiency of operations.
  • Participated actively in brainstorming sessions focused on improving existing processes or creating innovative approaches for delivering services more efficiently.
  • Conducted regular meetings with team members to review progress and address any issues or concerns arising from the program execution process.
  • Analyzed data collected during the course of the program operations and reported results accordingly.
  • Designed surveys for customers seeking feedback on their experience with the program offerings.
  • Led the recruitment, training, and development of program staff, building high-performing teams committed to achieving program success.
  • Analyzed and interpreted complex data sets and reports.
  • Collaborated with functional managers to develop program resource plans and assign program resources.
  • Fostered a collaborative program environment, promoting teamwork and cross-functional cooperation.
  • Directed the development and maintenance of comprehensive program documentation, including plans, reports, and presentations.
  • Utilized project management tools and methodologies to track program progress, identify variances, and implement corrective actions as necessary.
  • Managed external client and business partner relationships.
  • Controlled expenditures and reported monthly actual performance.
  • Interviewed prospective employees and provided input to HR on hiring decisions.
  • Reviewed completed work to verify consistency, quality, and conformance.
  • Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
  • Recruited and trained new employees to meet job requirements.

Project Manager

Ingersoll Rand
Davidson, NC
01.2010 - 01.2012
  • Global PeopleSoft HCM 9.1 Implementation - Asia Pacific, Americas & Europe
  • Revenue Managed: 5M USD
  • Team Size: 5 Onsite/30 Offshore
  • Drafted reports summarizing progress made on projects for review by executive leadership team.
  • Collaborated closely with senior management on long-term strategic planning initiatives related to projects in development or execution stages.
  • Identified risks associated with each project and developed strategies for mitigating those risks.
  • Managed multiple projects with competing deadlines simultaneously.
  • Communicated effectively with stakeholders to ensure project goals are met on time and within budget.
  • Created project plans with established timelines, assigned to appropriate teams and managed workflow throughout construction.
  • Led meetings with internal team members, consultants and contractors.
  • Determined project staffing needs and led resource management.
  • Reviewed project risks and devised proactive strategies to avoid potential roadblocks.
  • Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and technologies.

Project Manager

HCR ManorCare/ProMedica
Toledo, OH
01.2006 - 01.2010
  • PeopleSoft HCM and Financials Application Support & Upgrades
  • Revenue Managed: 4M USD
  • Team Size: 7 Onsite/25 Offshore

Onsite Lead

Blockbuster Inc
Dallas, TX
01.2005 - 01.2006
  • PeopleSoft Financials - GL Integrations Development
  • Revenue Managed: 0.25M USD
  • Team Size: 2 Offshore

Team Lead

MetLife Insurance Co
Pune, India
01.2004 - 01.2005
  • PeopleSoft Financials Offshore Services
  • Team Size: 2 offshore

Developer

Brinker Inc
Pune, India
01.2003 - 01.2004
  • PeopleSoft Financials Offshore Services

Education

Bachelor's degree - Electronics & Telecom. Engineering

College of Engineering
Goa, India
07.2003

Skills

  • Program Management
  • Risk Management
  • Resource Management
  • Budget Planning and Tracking
  • Thought Leadership
  • Software Release
  • Communications and Change Management
  • Contract Management
  • Test Strategy & Plan
  • Team Building
  • Agile / Waterfall SDLC
  • IT Process Improvement
  • Application Development
  • Business development
  • Decision-making
  • Program leadership
  • Proposal development
  • Strategic alignment
  • Stakeholder management
  • Partnership development
  • Quality assurance
  • Human resource management
  • Vendor management
  • Problem-solving
  • KPI tracking
  • Strategic planning
  • Presentation creation and delivery
  • Work delegation
  • Business systems
  • Onsite customer support

Certification

  • Program Manager, Stanford University
  • Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute

Awards

  • Above & Beyond Award, for inspirational performance beyond everyday responsibilities, Cognizant Tech. Solutions US Corp.
  • Oscar of the Year, for Customer Satisfaction across EAS BU, Cognizant Tech Solutions US Corp.
  • Thank you for your amazing leadership for a successful APAC Go Live!, Program Director, Ford Motor Co.
  • Smoothest Go live ever seen in my life!, Director IT, Ingersoll Rand Inc., Global HCM Rollout
  • Most successful Project in the history of the IT Dept., CIO, HCR ManorCare, PS HCM Upgrade

Affiliations

  • Long distance cycling
  • Calisthenics
  • Camping
  • Travelling

Accomplishments

  • Above & Beyond Award for inspirational performance beyond everyday responsibilities – Cognizant
  • Oscar of the Year for Customer Satisfaction across EAS BU - Cognizant Tech Solutions US Corp.
  • “Thank you for your amazing leadership for a successful APAC Go Live!” – Program Director, FordMotor Co.
  • “Smoothest Go live ever seen in my life!” – Director IT, Ingersoll Rand Inc., Global HCM Rollout
  • “Most successful Project in the history of the IT Dept.” – CIO, HCR ManorCare, PS HCM Upgrade.

Languages

English
Full Professional
Hindi
Professional
Marathi
Professional
French
Limited
Gujarati
Limited

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Engagement Manager

Raymond James Associates
01.2017 - 01.2019

Program Manager

Ford Motor Company
01.2012 - 01.2017

Project Manager

Ingersoll Rand
01.2010 - 01.2012

Project Manager

HCR ManorCare/ProMedica
01.2006 - 01.2010

Onsite Lead

Blockbuster Inc
01.2005 - 01.2006

Team Lead

MetLife Insurance Co
01.2004 - 01.2005

Program Manager

Cognizant Technology Solutions
09.2003 - Current

Developer

Brinker Inc
01.2003 - 01.2004

Bachelor's degree - Electronics & Telecom. Engineering

College of Engineering
Nikhil Sawant