Peter Clayton
Palm Coast,FL
Summary
Results-driven technology project manager with over 20 years of experience leading complex technology initiatives from inception to delivery. Demonstrated expertise in effectively managing cross-functional teams to deliver scalable and innovative solutions that align with business goals. Skilled in overseeing full project lifecycles, including development, testing, implementation, and training, while proactively mitigating risks and ensuring seamless collaboration across stakeholders.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr. IT Project Manager
Disney Cruise Line
01.2024 - 11.2024
- Led an $8M Agile project to develop a custom embarkation and online check-in system, replacing legacy software and eliminating $2M in annual royalty fees to Carnival Cruise Line
- The new system improved operational efficiency by 60% compared to the outgoing software
- Directed a cross-functional team of 40+ developers, designers techs and Business Analyst across multiple time zones, achieving 100% on-time project delivery for each milestone
- Developed comprehensive project plans and detailed schedules, increasing milestone tracking accuracy by 25% and enhancing team accountability
- Organized a 4-day solution workshop with 70+ participants, resolving technical and business challenges in a consolidated timeframe, saving $150,000 in billable hours by avoiding delays that would have taken 6–8 weeks to resolve traditionally
- Mitigated 98% of project risks using RAID logs, escalating only high-priority issues to the Change Management Board, which reduced project delays by 30%
- Utilized Jira advanced roadmaps to align and streamline team efforts, saving 40 hours per month across the organization by reducing redundant meetings and improving cross-team collaboration
- Increased QA pass rates for vendor-submitted code from 52% to 95% by implementing a new process where dev team leads conducted pre-submission reviews, significantly reducing rework and approval delays
- Acted as the primary point of contact for vendor management with Ernst & Young (E&Y), overseeing development deliverables, tooling, QA processes, and payments, achieving a 100% compliance rate on vendor deliverables
New Ship Builds IT Project Manager
Carnival Cruise Line (CCL)
06.2023 - 01.2024
- Directed the development and configuration of over 200 shipboard application modules and IT infrastructure, delivering on-time results for new ship builds and Drydock upgrades with budgets ranging from $500K to $1.3M per ship
- Managed budgets, resource allocation, scheduling, and scope definition while creating project artifacts such as Project Charters and Plans, collaborating closely with senior management and stakeholders
- Presented and implemented risk mitigation strategies to the Change Management Board, achieving a 98% success rate in resolving risks without delays
- Assumed full ownership of ship IT infrastructure during Drydock periods, ensuring 100% on-time completion before the ships re-entered service with paying passengers
- Executed seamless cutovers for new data center activations, reducing downtime by 40% and increasing Wi-Fi coverage by 30%, providing improved connectivity in previously limited-access areas
- Directed vendors and technical teams in completing data center migrations, Cisco VOIP upgrades, and Starlink VSAT communication systems, improving bandwidth efficiency by 50% over outgoing technology
- Oversaw deployment of internal networks, VLANs, Wi-Fi, firewalls, servers, databases, and backup solutions, ensuring 100% compliance with CCL’s IT standards and security protocols
IT Program Manager & Operations Manager
Launch Consulting / Carnival & Princess Cruises
01.2019 - 07.2022
- Directed Agile software development and infrastructure implementation for Carnival's Princess Cruise Lines Medallion program, upgrading 12 out of 15 ships to Medallion Class within schedule and budget
- Increased team efficiency by 35–50% during on-ship implementation by developing streamlined validation processes for architectural and electrical ship maps
- These maps, initially created as CAD drawings, were updated to reflect changes in ship layouts and critical areas, ensuring accurate system integration, deployment readiness and ADA compliance
- Enabled 75% of typical on-ship tasks to be performed remotely by creating advanced methods for validating portal configurations, significantly reducing travel and operational costs
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel was restricted, led the team to develop remote testing methods using Inspec for 80+ interactive public display portals
- This process allowed software deployment and testing to occur off-site, requiring only on-ship validation, which was critical given reduced travel opportunities for ship upgrades
- Enhanced mobile app development at the XIC, improving UAT and QA processes for Ocean Compass software, the guest-facing app used on ships
- By fixing the network and emulating the ship’s systems at the XIC the team could identify and resolve bugs before getting onsite, reducing on-ship bugs by 40% and significantly improving deployment efficiency
- Managed field engineering services and ongoing operational support for upgraded ships, establishing SLAs and OLAs that improved service response times by 25%
- Held a dual role as Ship Implementation Program Manager and Operations Manager, where the operations team provided level-three support for our installed technology
- Trained level-one and two support teams, ensuring seamless issue resolution and reducing escalations
Senior IT Project Manager
Marriott Vacation Worldwide (MVW)
01.2019 - 06.2022
- Led a $3.5M Oracle Opera 5.6 Digital Transformation project, upgrading 60+ newly acquired local and international properties to a centralized Property Management System (PMS), achieving a 100% on-time rollout
- Oversaw the upgrade of critical systems, including room check-in, room charging, PMS migration, above-property Opera (Oracle Cloud), on-property Opera, MARSHA, and restaurant/front office POS, streamlining operations and improving system uptime by 25%
- Digitally secured POS and PMS devices, servers, and network infrastructure by implementing PCI compliance best practices, achieving 100% compliance on audits across all properties
- Implemented Illumio endpoint network security for legacy properties operating on Windows Server 2008, extending system security and reducing vulnerabilities by 85% through continuous tracking and blocking of inbound connection requests
- Directed 4 global cross-functional deployment teams, including IT professionals, business analysts, and external vendors, for multi-site rollouts across EMEA, APAC, and US regions, resulting in a 30% faster deployment timeline compared to prior projects
IT Project Manager III
Universal Orlando Resorts
10.2017 - 12.2018
- L ed a $1M stabilization initiative for Universal’s newest theme park, Volcano Bay, reducing park downtime by 30%
- Directed proof-of-concept and pilot projects for the Universal Kitchen Order Management (UKOM) system at CityWalk restaurants, improving order accuracy and kitchen efficiency by 20%
- Managed infrastructure and technology upgrades across multiple Universal Orlando restaurants, enhancing operational reliability and guest satisfaction scores by 15%
- Supported project execution for Voodoo Doughnuts restaurant, successfully completing the project within budget and timeline
- Integrated Lowe’s Point of Sale (POS) system with Universal Orlando’s Property Management System (PMS), enabling seamless food voucher redemption and a unified payment method for guests across hotels and parks
- Spearheaded the development of a digital platform to manage auditions and track candidates for Universal’s entertainment business, eliminating 100% of paper applications and reducing processing time by 50%
IT Project Manager | Lead
ALLIN INTERACTIVE
01.2016 - 07.2017
- Led a team of 17 technicians, network and systems engineers around the world from one client project to the next; managing personnel, assigning task, reports, work validation
- Coordinated international travel logistics for all team members, including flights, hotels, meals, and transportation, ensuring seamless deployments for all team members
- Oversaw all shipping logistics, including creating and maintaining Bill of Materials (BOMs), ensuring all mobile office equipment, customer hardware, and configurations were shipped with accurate customs and port documentation, reducing delays by 30%
- Managed IPTV, Video on Demand, software, and mobile application projects through their full SDLC, including requirements gathering, project scope definition, WBS creation, project planning, scheduling, budgeting, and QA testing, achieving 100% on-time project delivery
- Led the development and implementation of guest-facing IPTV, VOD software, and the Royal IQ Mobile App for Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, enhancing guest satisfaction and streamlining onboard operations
- Directed the Cox/HN Graton Resort and Casino project, from software development to onsite implementation, integrating property management and point-of-sale systems while developing guest signage, reservations, and room service modules, resulting in a 20% increase in operational efficiency
- Managed Video on Demand (VOD) software and mobile app development for a Riviera Maya all-inclusive resort, implementing SIP/VOIP calling, social media integration, and marketing modules, contributing to a 15% increase in resort revenue
Systems Engineer / Project Manager
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Directed the installation and upgrades of NSU's Television Station (Sharks United TV) on-demand and live video streaming server, increasing user traffic by 25%
- Upgraded Building Automation HVAC systems, reducing power consumption by 30% and contributing to sustainability goals
- Led a data migration project for NSU's Oceanographic Center, transferring over 20 TB of research data across a Wide Area Network, ensuring zero data loss
- Managed technology operations for NSU Clinics and Pharmacy IT, supporting critical healthcare services and ensuring system uptime
IT Technician
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
01.2006 - 01.2010
- Conducted software installations, PC/laptop repairs, imaging, and remote deployments using Altiris in an Active Directory (AD) environment, supporting over 10,000 laptops, desktops, imaging devices, and specialized medical equipment university wide
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology, Information Technology
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Davie, FL01.2011
Skills
- Client Relations
- Risk Management
- Feature Enhancement and Management
- Training and Documentation
- Interdepartmental Coordination
- Agile methodology
- Scope management
- Change Management processes
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Team building and management
Certification
- Windows Server Certifications, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Microsoft Certified professional., New Horizons Training Center, Plantation, FL
- ITIL V4: Create, Deliver & Support, Course Completed, SimpliLearn
- Project Management: PMP Certification, Course Completed, New Horizons Training Center
Personal Information
Title: IT Program & Project Manager
Timeline
Sr. IT Project Manager
Disney Cruise Line
01.2024 - 11.2024
New Ship Builds IT Project Manager
Carnival Cruise Line (CCL)
06.2023 - 01.2024
IT Program Manager & Operations Manager
Launch Consulting / Carnival & Princess Cruises
01.2019 - 07.2022
Senior IT Project Manager
Marriott Vacation Worldwide (MVW)
01.2019 - 06.2022
IT Project Manager III
Universal Orlando Resorts
10.2017 - 12.2018
IT Project Manager | Lead
ALLIN INTERACTIVE
01.2016 - 07.2017
Systems Engineer / Project Manager
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
01.2010 - 01.2015
IT Technician
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
01.2006 - 01.2010
- Windows Server Certifications, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Microsoft Certified professional., New Horizons Training Center, Plantation, FL
- ITIL V4: Create, Deliver & Support, Course Completed, SimpliLearn
- Project Management: PMP Certification, Course Completed, New Horizons Training Center
Bachelor of Science - Psychology, Information Technology
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
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