Sailaja Bhagavatula
Cypress,Texas
Summary
Experienced Project/Program and Portfolio Manager with a proven track record in Agile methodologies, project/program management, and vendor management. Skilled in streamlining communication, facilitating key meetings, and driving continuous improvement. Specializing in strategic planning, operational oversight, and successful execution of diverse portfolios. Proficient in budget management, finance oversight, and crisis resolution. Adept at fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion while ensuring strategic alignment. Strong communicator with expertise in Agile Coaching, effective stakeholder engagement, and problem resolution. Certified PMP, SAFe (POPM and SPC), Scrum, and Six Sigma, with proficiency in project management tools including Jira, PPM, and Microsoft Office suite. Eager to optimize project investments, align strategies, and enhance efficiency in a dynamic organizational setting.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
6
6
Certifications
Work History
Senior Delivery Manager (Associate Director Project Management/Portfolio Manager)
Optum Health
10.2021 - Current
- Directed Clinical IT Delivery, Oversaw Portfolio Management, and Managed Vendors for UHC Community & State.
- Demonstrated strong leadership in resource allocation for high-impact initiatives, resulting in optimized ROI and seamless execution during peak workloads.
- Applied Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) principles to enhance Business Agility and foster adaptability. Drove strategic alignment among cross-functional teams, ensuring stakeholder alignment.
- Developed clear Portfolio Roadmaps aligned with strategic goals, leading weekly Portfolio Management Committee (PMC) sessions for project intake, prioritization, and comprehensive delivery plans.
- Managed complex budgets (~$20 million) for RTB, GTB and Regulatory portfolios, providing consolidated budget updates in timely manner with appropriate rationale and ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
- Implemented effective work-in-process (WIP) management strategies that streamlined workflows, reduced bottlenecks, and improved overall efficiency.
- Led and delivered IT projects to streamline coordination across care spectrum, seamlessly manage clinical and behavioral health needs, automate care and service planning, identify and target high-risk populations, providing whole-person care.
- Collaborated with technical teams to refine and advocate for Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) practices, improving software delivery and team agility.
- Facilitated PI planning sessions and ART Syncs to align cross-functional teams with strategic goals, optimize capacity planning, and foster environment of collaboration and open dialogue. Successfully streamlined workflows, reduced bottlenecks, and improved overall efficiency.
- Successfully implemented growth projects, bringing Medicaid greenfield markets, each with several hundred thousand members, onto our care management platform, coordinating with 12 cross-functional teams.
- Scoped opportunities to enhance existing programs, conducting in-depth analyses resulting in platform consolidation.
- Managed strategic platform consolidation programs including migration of existing Medicaid market with 550k members from one vendor platform to another, collaborating with multiple cross-functional teams and migrated 10 years of historical data. This initiative will save $912k per year just on vendor fees for professional services and PMPM charges.
- Oversaw decommissioning of SAAS applications, ensuring proper data retention per CMS and State HHS regulations.
- Spearheaded efforts with internal and vendor IT teams to pinpoint root causes for data loading issues and championed transition from batch-based process to more near real-time solution using industry-standard RESTful APIs and streaming (Kafka) for bi-directional data exchange and interoperability.
- Implemented multi-factor authentication (MFA) for internal and external users to enhance security measures. Transitioned from SP (Vendor) initiated URL usage to IDP (Optum) initiated URL for SAAS applications, improving user experience and security protocols.
- Effectively managed risks and dependencies, maintained RAID logs, identified architectural dependencies.
- Provided Agile Coaching to senior management and executives, acted as transformation Lead. Coached scrum teams in agile methodologies and best practices for creation and maintenance of product backlogs, including empirical planning.
- Collaborated with Capability Directors, State Health Plans, Regional CEOs, IT, and Solutions Architects.
- Established and improved delivery processes, fostering culture of continuous improvement to achieve higher OKRs related to efficiency and effectiveness.
- Spearheaded comprehensive training and implementation of OKRs across business units, guiding teams in setting ambitious yet achievable objectives and measurable key results at departmental level, fostering strategic alignment, accountability, and transparency.
- Tracked KPIs for delivery speed, accuracy, and customer satisfaction, resulting in notable improvements.
- Managed and approved monthly invoices from vendors using Ariba, ensuring accurate charging of all appropriate projects internally.
- Negotiated Master Service Agreements (MSA), Statements of Work (SOW) and Service Orders (SO) with SAAS vendors to manage Medicaid members Care in all, resulting in substantial cost savings.
- Nurtured strong vendor partnerships, tracked key performance indicators (KPIs) like on-time delivery and SLA adherence, while aligning vendors with Optum's strategic priorities for tailored product enhancements and business success.
- Mentored and managed team of 5 Delivery Managers (RTEs) and one Release Manager.
- Delivered complex projects within tight deadlines through effective delegation and prioritization of tasks
- Increased on-time delivery rates by continuously analyzing processes and identifying areas for improvement
- Reduced client escalations through proactive risk management and effective communication strategies
- Managed budgets effectively, controlling costs while maintaining optimal resource allocation across projects
Business Development Manager/Project Manager
New Wave Inc.
08.2018 - 12.2020
- Develop and implement a strategic outreach plan to identify and engage prospective clients, leveraging market research and analysis to assess competitive landscape and identify emerging trends and opportunities
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers and stakeholders across multiple industries, utilizing effective communication, presentation, and negotiation skills to articulate value proposition of company's services and solutions
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Marketing, and Delivery, to align initiatives with business objectives, optimize resource allocation, and maximize revenue growth and profitability
- Provide leadership and mentorship to team of consultants, facilitating training sessions, conducting performance evaluations, and coaching individuals to achieve their professional goals and deliver high-quality results
- Monitor project progress and performance, utilizing metrics and data analytics to identify areas for improvement and drive continuous process improvement
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements, and incorporate them into project management and business analysis methodologies and tools
- Ensure adherence to established policies and procedures, including quality control, risk management, and compliance requirements.
Project Manager (Client: NRG Energy)
Clearpoint, Inc
04.2017 - 05.2018
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously (total budget ~$3.5 million), delivering all on budget, schedule, and value
- Implemented targeted messaging for customers with online accounts, presenting various options/offers and improving customer experience, resulting in increased sales margin
- Delivered online enrollment functionality on mobile devices for Green Mountain Energy
- Implemented No New Paper project, resulting in estimated $1 million savings in expenses annually
- Created capacity and resource utilization plans to manage and allocate PMO resources
- Implemented agile Project Portfolio Management/Governance process, providing clear insights into strategy alignment, portfolio status, and resource utilization.
- Collaborated closely with senior management to align project objectives with strategic company initiatives, ensuring that efforts contributed to overall business growth
- Established effective communication among team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion
- Created accurate budgets based on resource requirements, allowing for optimal allocation of funds across all aspects of projects
- Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results
- Created accurate budgets based on resource requirements, allowing for optimal allocation of funds across all aspects of the projects
Strategic Portfolio Manager
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MINNESOTA
08.2012 - 08.2013
- Spearheaded development, implementation, and administration of Enterprise Portfolio Management discipline to prioritize projects and programs, maximize their value, allocate resources, mitigate risks, realize benefits, and manage overall performance
- Collaborated with key stakeholders across IT, Business, and Finance to execute discipline, including Project Intake and Analysis and Business Case Development
- Led Portfolio Governance Committee (PGC) meetings co-chaired by CIO and CFO and presented results of Portfolio Analysis to Executive Leadership Team (ELT) consisting of CEO and direct reports
- Developed Organization Strategy, Vision, and Value proposition for business segments through Voice of Customer interviews with VPs and SVPs of various departments
- Identified and improved communication channels to educate stakeholders on new processes and trained trainers in implementing them
- Defined and implemented mandatory Project Governance process to comply with Regulatory rule changes from Federal and State governments, Federal and State government agencies, and Blue Cross Association.
Intake & Demand Manager
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
02.2010 - 08.2012
- Responsible for Rationalization, Prioritization and Release planning of a multi-Million Portfolio consisting of multiple programs and business segments
- Defined and implemented the Portfolio Management and Demand Management process and governance
- Conducted a Cost Benefit Analysis (ROI, NPV, Net Useful life of the Asset) for strategic and operational project requests from multiple business segments to align the portfolio with enterprise business strategy and roadmap
- Led and participated in weekly Portfolio Control Board meetings with ECA (Enterprise Clinical Alignment/Services) leadership and business segment leadership to proactively classify and review business values, demand smoothing, rank prioritization, and slotting of projects
- Worked with UHG IT to ensure appropriate staffing for programs and demand mobilization
- Created and updated the strategic roadmap for the Clinical Alignment division (a UHG Corporate Initiative) and participated in the budget and forecast process
- Aligned the roadmap to the enterprise strategic vision, created and published heat maps with business leadership
- Conducted Voice of Customer (VOC) interviews to understand customer intent, requirements, and existing processes, and proactively identified and mitigated risks
- Managed program budgets, tracked actuals, and conducted variance analysis to ensure projects are delivered within budget and met financial targets
- Developed project plans, schedules, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure successful project delivery
- Conducted post-project reviews to assess the effectiveness of the portfolio management, demand management, and project management processes, identify areas for improvement, and implemented changes as needed
- Mapped existing processes and used SIPOC as a tool to identify and put customer needs upfront and to identify value added and non-value-added processes
- Worked with IT Demand management team to improve the intake process and made recommendations to streamline touch points to allow additional work through the queue resulting in bringing the release schedule from consistently 6 to 8 weeks behind schedule to on schedule
- Responsible for Portfolio Plan management, establishing and reporting on the CTQ (Critical to Quality) indicators and conducting program audits to standards
- Identify, manage, and remediate risks to the portfolio
- Maintain the bi-weekly Executive Portfolio Status Report.
Sr. Systems Analyst
Accenture plc
05.2006 - 02.2010
- Develop and maintain Project Plans and Roadmaps that included communication with client and define project goals for future releases
- Participate in project initiation and planning sessions with Accenture and client teams to understand SLAs and performance requirements
- Collaborate with stakeholders on requirements gathering and performing gap analysis
- Establishing organization-wide project standards and best practices
- Create capacity plans and define onshore/offshore models, recruit and retain offshore and onshore resources
- Lead and coordinate change and defect management across multiple workstreams, projects, and programs
- Perform Earned Value Management by deriving cost variance, schedule variance, CPI, SPI, ETC, EAC, and VAC
- Metrics Lead, participated in QPI process, and provided reports on project completion, problem requests raised and resolved within SLAs, and problem response times, demonstrating proactive approach to risk management.
- Enhanced system efficiency by optimizing software applications and introducing new technologies
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives, driving process optimization across multiple departments
QA Test Lead (Independent Consultant-Client: Interpublic Group)
Khoj Information Systems
01.2005 - 05.2006
- Defined standards and procedures for Functional, Integration, and Regression Testing for global SAP R/3 implementation, with phased rollout approach
- Established organization-wide project standards and best practices, including development of repeatable processes, policies, and procedures
- Developed functional requirements from business specifications and prepared detailed status reports using various project plans and test management tools such as Mercury Interactive Quality Center
- Communicated project progress to Senior Project Management, managed tasks, and improved project quality
- Participated in Change Control Board meetings and maintained daily status reports.
- Implemented risk-based testing strategies to focus on high-risk areas of the application, reducing the likelihood of production issues significantly
Education
Postgraduate in Management Information Systems & Computer Applications -
Osmania University
Bachelor of Science (Math, Physics, Chemistry) - undefined
Osmania University
Skills
Agile Methodologies: Scrum, SAFe, Agile Coaching, Waterfall
Project Management: Budgeting, Risk Management, Resource Allocation
Portfolio Management: Strategic Alignment, Roadmap Development, ROI Optimization
Vendor Management: Contract Negotiation (Fixed Price (FP), Time & Materials (T&M)), Performance Alignment
Communication: Stakeholder Engagement, Change Management, Executive Communication, Agile coaching
Leadership: Team Building, Mentorship, Cross-functional Collaboration
Continuous Improvement: Process Enhancement, Efficiency Gains, Process Improvement Initiatives
Technologies/Tools: Proficient in Jira, PPM, Microsoft Office suite, Visio Familiarity with Smartsheet and Tableau and basic understanding of generative AI concepts
Certification
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Timeline
Senior Delivery Manager (Associate Director Project Management/Portfolio Manager)
Optum Health
10.2021 - Current
Business Development Manager/Project Manager
New Wave Inc.
08.2018 - 12.2020
Project Manager (Client: NRG Energy)
Clearpoint, Inc
04.2017 - 05.2018
Strategic Portfolio Manager
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MINNESOTA
08.2012 - 08.2013
Intake & Demand Manager
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
02.2010 - 08.2012
Sr. Systems Analyst
Accenture plc
05.2006 - 02.2010
QA Test Lead (Independent Consultant-Client: Interpublic Group)
Khoj Information Systems
01.2005 - 05.2006
Postgraduate in Management Information Systems & Computer Applications -
Osmania University
Bachelor of Science (Math, Physics, Chemistry) - undefined
Osmania University