Rekha Mary George

Directed cross-functional global teams at EY, spearheading strategic program initiatives.

Optimized portfolio management leads to significant cost savings and enhanced project results.

Developed innovative global operational strategies, cultivated client partnerships, and tackled complex challenges to guarantee cohesive team alignment and the success of projects.·

Led the state health department's COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster initiative, targeting seniors and those in congregate living settings such as Nursing Homes and Assisted Living facilities, as well as the Behavioral Health Association and Developmental Disabilities Administration. Managed operations and partnered with pharmacy teams to set up several vaccination sites.

Managed the inventory and distribution of over 22 million COVID-19 tests in Maryland, in partnership with 13 vendors. Initiated and led the integration of testing programs in over 3,500 schools.Led the data analysis initiatives across various population segments, developing an optimized strategy for equitable distribution in partnership with state entities and key demographic stakeholders.

· Overhauled the state's COVID-19 test kit ordering system, improving both efficiency and user experience through advanced supply and demand modeling, while delivering key insights to assist senior leadership in decision-making.

· IInnovated a variant readiness roadmap with data-driven triggers and established operational timelines for responsive workstream actions, optimizing COVID-19 test inventory projections for efficient distribution.

Led the design of a web-based provider portal, improving data transparency and communication to facilitate proactive decision-making.

Led a county's transformation via the Transformation Management Office, expediting COVID-19 recovery with real-time operational advice and automated templates for policy-driven reviews.

Led the international expansion of a pet recovery product by developing an implementation playbook to ensure consistency and accelerate the process. Designed a strategic roadmap to standardize product launches across three different international markets.

Led the R&D Chief Information Officer of a Global Top 10 Pharmaceutical company through the adoption of a transformative product management strategy, which encompassed workshops for customer journey mapping, the development of playbooks, and the activation of agile teams.

· Led a SAFe Agile Transformation at a prominent media company, which involved setting up a new delivery team, overseeing Program Increment (PI) sessions, integrating RAID into JIRA, and acting as a Release Train Engineer (RTE) for over ten workstreams with geographically dispersed teams.

Experienced in program management, scrum leadership, and the creation and management of schedules for large-scale, complex deployments of IBM Maximo, ServiceNow, and Salesforce within the energy sector.

• Managed program budgets and timelines, ensuring projects stayed on track and within allocated resources.
• Designed surveys for customers seeking feedback on their experience with the program offerings.
• Maintained positive relationships with vendors by monitoring their performance against agreed upon contractual terms.
• Identified areas of improvement in existing processes, procedures and systems related to the program delivery cycle.
• Implemented best practices in order to maximize efficiency of operations.
• Coordinated with internal stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the program initiatives.
• Oversaw the resolution of issues and challenges impacting program delivery, facilitating problem-solving and decision-making processes.
• Collaborated with teams across departments to develop effective strategies for executing programs.
• Assisted in developing training materials for new hires involved in the program activities.
• Developed project plans, identified risks, set objectives and monitored progress towards completion.

• Revolutionized Intellectual Property & Science technology for a global leader, combining industry insights with cutting-edge technology to deliver essential information to senior decision-makers across 53,000 employees.
• Established and executed an enterprise program management office in alignment with global standards.
• Drove large, complex transformational programs and projects as a though leader.

Revolutionized Intellectual Property & Science technology for a global leader by integrating industry insights with cutting-edge technology, delivering essential information to senior decision-makers across 53,000 employees.

· Established and executed an enterprise program management office in alignment with global standards. Led large-scale, complex transformational programs and projects as a thought leader.

·Optimized expert program and project management for "Web of Science"—a leading discovery platform serving researchers from over 7,000 organizations, approximately 20 million users, and generating over $300 million in annual revenue.

· Served as the Program Manager for "EndNote," a business generating over $35 million in annual revenue, with a user base exceeding 10 million on a platform encompassing multiple tiers and stacks, managed by distributed teams worldwide.

Led the 'One Platform' initiative, a cutting-edge, cloud-native platform that launched with EndNote and Web of Science as its inaugural applications.

Led program management initiatives to migrate the WoS Search engine, successfully transferring data to the cloud.

Led initiatives to segregate products formerly under Thomson Reuters IP & Science from TR systems and servers following the divestiture of IP & Science to Onex and Baring Asia.

· I led the transition of the EPMO to the "3-12" model, a transformative approach that aligns with Amazon's operational framework,developing new processes, standards, and training programs to ensure a seamless transition.

• Identified areas of improvement in existing processes, procedures and systems related to the program delivery cycle.
• Monitored performance metrics to ensure timely completion of tasks.
• Conducted regular meetings with team members to review progress and address any issues or concerns arising from the program execution process.
• Drafted reports for senior management highlighting key milestones achieved throughout the program lifecycle.
• Communicated regularly with external partners to ensure alignment of strategies and goals.
• Designed surveys for customers seeking feedback on their experience with the program offerings.
• Maintained positive relationships with vendors by monitoring their performance against agreed upon contractual terms.
• Facilitated workshops designed to educate stakeholders about best practices for managing programs successfully.
• Managed program budgets and timelines, ensuring projects stayed on track and within allocated resources.
• Reviewed customer feedbacks on a regular basis in order to identify potential areas of improvement in service delivery.
• Implemented best practices in order to maximize efficiency of operations.
• Developed project plans, identified risks, set objectives and monitored progress towards completion.
• Participated actively in brainstorming sessions focused on improving existing processes or creating innovative approaches for delivering services more efficiently.
• Collaborated with teams across departments to develop effective strategies for executing programs.
• Utilized project management tools and methodologies to track program progress, identify variances, and implement corrective actions as necessary.
• Conducted regular program reviews and status updates with stakeholders, fostering transparent communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Assessed accurate and relevant information for fact-based decision making.
• Led the recruitment, training, and development of program staff, building high-performing teams committed to achieving program success.
• Championed continuous improvement initiatives, incorporating lessons learned and best practices into program operations.
• Managed program budgets, optimizing resources to achieve financial targets and maximize return on investment.
• Contributed to corporate strategy initiatives management across teams through accountability, communication and reporting.
• Established and maintained relationships with vendors and external partners, negotiating contracts to support program objectives.
• Managed external client and business partner relationships.
• Monitored and reported on program financial performance, implementing cost-control measures to stay within budget constraints.
• Coordinated the integration of multiple projects within the program, ensuring cohesive progress and efficient resource allocation.
• Oversaw program compliance with requirements, schedule and budget.
• Guided the strategic planning and goal-setting process for programs, aligning initiatives with organizational vision and priorities.
• Facilitated change management processes, supporting the organization and stakeholders through program transitions.
• Created tactical relationships with teams to propel projects and attain results.
• Negotiated scope changes with stakeholders, managing expectations and ensuring program deliverables remained aligned with strategic goals.
• 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.
• Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards throughout the program lifecycle.
• Audited operations and processes to enhance brand and manage compliance.
• 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.
• Collaborated with functional managers to develop program resource plans and assign program resources.
• Worked closely with other departments to support program technical aspects and cost proposals.
• Assessed program performance against key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives, making data-driven decisions to guide strategic direction.
• Generated and delivered reports, program review presentations and other program status updates.
• Advocated for the program, securing executive support and resources necessary for program success.
• Oversaw the resolution of issues and challenges impacting program delivery, facilitating problem-solving and decision-making processes.
• Recruited and trained new employees to meet job requirements.
• Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
• Reviewed employee performance and provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.
• Organized team activities to build camaraderie and foster pleasant workplace culture.
• Planned and delivered training sessions to improve employee effectiveness and address areas of weakness.
• Assigned work and monitored performance of project personnel.
• Planned and led team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.
• Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
• Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
• Mediated conflicts between employees and facilitated effective resolutions to disputes.

• Oversaw global projects to improve and implement initiatives for Business Tax Services, catering to Global and EMEIA business leaders across diverse tax advisory service lines, including international tax controversy planning and resolution, global compliance, and communications.

Oversaw projects aimed at improving tax advisory services, planning, and resolving international tax controversies, ensuring global compliance, and enhancing communications.

Project Manager / Program Manager - PMO Operations (11/2010 to 12/2012)

Led complex initiatives involving customers and teams worldwide as a technical and project consultant across the EMEIA region, negotiating with stakeholders from various levels and functions, engaging them to secure support at every stage of the project and ensuring all requirements were met. and monitored progress and provided detailed reports in different sectors on the project's development.

¨ Led a high-priority initiative for Global Compliance & Reporting Transformation to improve the delivery of compliance services.

− Contributed to the evaluation and design of an enhanced People, Process, and Technology model for multi-country engagements, resulting in a revenue increase of $500 million and a cost reduction of $250 million over three years.

− Project coordinator for technology, aligning the workstream with the broader global GCRT governance processes, monitoring the progress status from countries undergoing transformation, and assisting in transitioning the pilot clients.

¨ Provided consultation on operational initiatives to meet objectives set by the Business Tax Services (BTS) group; spearheaded business planning and execution control, as well as tracking and monitoring of initiatives, as directed by BTS leadership using the Balanced Scorecard . Monitored progress in various areas and delivered comprehensive project reports on BSC initiatives throughout SubAreas and Specialty Practices to the EMEIA BTS leader.

− Crystallized BTS's focus on the four main pillars: Market Leadership & Growth, Operational Excellence, Quality, and People by monitoring initiatives within different subareas and specialties across EMEIA, delivering a range of reports to the EMEIA BTS Leader.

− Focused on enhancing service coding, improving financial management, and optimizing the use of both local hubs and global shared services, all while fostering an account-centric approach and a global mindset.

−Enhanced recruitment of BTS specialists and deeper engagement with priority accounts.

¨ Drove change management to enhance efficiency in financial operations; orchestrated and implemented pivotal changes as E&Y transitioned to a new delivery model that consolidates core client finance and tax processes into shared service centers.

− Developed a project roadmap, formulated change management strategies, designed coaching and training programs, devised plans to overcome resistance, and created tools for reinforcement.

Played a key role in the onshore 'offshoring' project, establishing a new PMO office for Global BTS and transitioning related processes and activities to a new geographic location, following the successful establishment of the EMEIA BTS PMO.

−Qualified and validated the scope of the deal, negotiated service levels, implemented best practices and lessons learned in EMEIA, and transitioned and trained personnel through to a successful operational/delivery phase.

Developed and oversaw a comprehensive project plan to identify essential talent across two service lines within BTS groups for EMEIA and on a global scale.

− Standardized best practices were identified across multiple groups, and support was provided in the development of communication plans aimed at specific sub-area or country markets.

Led and managed the Tax Policy & Controversy initiative, overseeing the development and execution of the project plan from start to finish. This included creating a range of global promotional materials to support the primary service line.

− Enhanced service quality, client relations, and internal awareness have increased brand recognition, setting E&Y apart from competitors and driving both direct and indirect revenues.

• Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers based on company objectives and budget constraints.
• Advised other departments on best practices related to managing large-scale projects.
• Identified risks associated with each project and developed strategies for mitigating those risks.
• Drafted reports summarizing progress made on projects for review by executive leadership team.
• Developed and maintained project plans, timelines, and budgets.
• Monitored progress of each project to ensure timely delivery of deliverables in accordance with established quality standards.
• Analyzed data from various sources such as surveys, interviews, focus groups. to inform decision-making related to projects.
• Participated in cross-functional teams responsible for developing innovative solutions for complex problems.
• Managed multiple projects with competing deadlines simultaneously.
• Actively sought out feedback from stakeholders throughout the duration of a project in order to identify areas needing improvement or adjustment.
• Provided guidance to team members regarding tasks assigned to them.
• Collaborated closely with senior management on long-term strategic planning initiatives related to projects in development or execution stages.
• Presented findings from data analysis in a clear, concise manner that was easily understood by stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Conducted regular status meetings with internal teams and external partners to track progress against established milestones.
• Implemented effective communication protocols between internal teams working on different aspects of a given project.
• Coordinated resources across multiple departments and teams as needed for successful completion of projects.
• Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures throughout the life cycle of each project.
• Built and established strong partnerships with teams, vendors and contractors.
• Created project plans with established timelines, assigned to appropriate teams and managed workflow throughout construction.
• Reviewed project risks and devised proactive strategies to avoid potential roadblocks.
• Managed contracts with vendors and suppliers by assigning tasks and communicating expected deliverables.
• Reviewed budget and subcontractor estimates in detail and analyzed for accuracy with scope of work relevancy in mind.
• Identified needs and coordinated resource allocation to deliver quality standards on time and within budget.
• Generated and tracked change orders and other contractual modifications affecting budget and schedule.
• Made changes to project scope and cost and implemented most effective change management processes to keep project up-to-date.
• Created team objectives and roles with specific goals outlined for each individual.
• Developed solutions to project risks and issues, meeting quality and timeline goals and objectives.
• Determined project staffing needs and led resource management.
• Drove continuous improvement of project delivery process by providing strong leadership.
• Forecasted, scheduled and monitored project timelines, personnel performance, and cost efficiency.
• Produced thorough, accurate and timely reports of project activities.
• Developed and updated project plans to document objectives, technologies, schedules, and funding.
• Submitted budget estimates, progress reports and cost tracking reports.

• Successfully planned, implemented, and delivered over 15 end-to-end customized projects in investment, asset, and fund management. These business products included tailored banking and mutual fund solutions for prominent financial industry clients across the UK, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Oman, Malaysia, Ghana, Mauritius, and India.

Acknowledged for exceptional leadership of a 20-member, cross-functional team and garnered promotion from Team Lead to Project Manager in just six months.

¨ Displayed meticulous attention to detail in reviewing project deliverables to ensure consistency and alignment with client expectations, statements of work (SOWs), and service level agreements (SLAs), thereby guiding ongoing process and operational enhancements.

Previously selected by management to define and implement release management and change control process for suite of financial software products.

− Sole contact for over fifty corporate clients regarding all escalations related to product patches and updates.

−I conducted process audits and assisted in developing reusable processes and solutions that could be implemented organization-wide.

¨ Led the technical writing team responsible for all user manuals and documentation for the Mfund suite of products.

• Worked closely with customers throughout the entire implementation process to ensure satisfaction with results.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure successful integration of hardware, software, and networking components.
• Provided regular updates to stakeholders regarding project status and progress towards objectives.
• Resolved any technical issues encountered during the implementation process in a timely manner.
• Tracked progress against milestones using project management tools such as JIRA.
• Created and implemented processes to ensure successful completion of projects.
• Collaborated closely with senior management on long-term strategic planning initiatives related to projects in development or execution stages.
• Developed and maintained project plans, timelines, and budgets.
• Facilitated resolution of conflicts between team members when necessary.
• Created project plans with established timelines, assigned to appropriate teams and managed workflow throughout construction.
• Forecasted, scheduled and monitored project timelines, personnel performance, and cost efficiency.
• Prepared cost estimates for projects of varying sizes.
• Reviewed project risks and devised proactive strategies to avoid potential roadblocks.