SARAH CRUZ
Avon Lake
Summary
Highly experienced individual with proven success in leading complex, multi-disciplinary projects. Adept in introducing innovative solutions to optimize organizational performance and promote emerging technologies. Exceptional ability to define project objectives and ensure successful completion on time and within budget. Proven track record of collaborating with stakeholders and team members to ensure successful product launches and customer satisfaction.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Manager
Amazon
Seattle
08.2023 - Current
- Led end-to-end security program operations focused on penetration testing and automation, improving scalability, standardization, and overall program efficiency.
- Managed multiple concurrent security initiatives, including tooling enhancements, workflow automation, and integration efforts, ensuring alignment with organizational security objectives.
- Developed and maintained program governance artifacts, including project plans, timelines, risk registers, and stakeholder reporting frameworks, ensuring clarity and alignment among all stakeholders.
- Drove cross-functional collaboration across security engineering, infrastructure, and service teams to deliver strategic security solutions and improve endpoint and application security posture.
- Spearheaded the development and launch of a Verification of Fix (VoF) program, partnering with Service Teams to remediate identified security risks. This initiative led to a 33% reduction in intake efforts and realized cost savings of $2.14M.
- Identified, tracked, and mitigated program risks and dependencies, facilitating proactive issue resolution and fostering continuous process improvement.
- Delivered standardized executive reporting on program health, KPIs, and risk posture using BI tools, enabling data-driven decision-making.
- Monitored key metrics including SLA adherence, test coverage, and throughput; implemented process improvements that increased turnaround time and reduced backlog, enhancing overall program efficiency.
- Evaluated applications and services to ensure comprehensive security coverage across diverse threat surfaces, strengthening overall cybersecurity posture.
- Led initiatives in ambiguous, fast-paced environments, driving structure, accountability, and consistent delivery across complex technical programs.
Technical Client Director
NetSPI
Minneapolis
12.2022 - 08.2023
- Managed a Client portfolio, offering leadership and technical support to Stakeholders across various locations, while providing strategic guidance and security roadmaps.
- Collaborated with Sales Teams to achieve 100% quarterly quota satisfaction and identified new growth opportunities, expanding business reach.
- Conducted comprehensive gap analysis of Client's cloud security posture, defined scope (systems, data, teams) and compliance objectives.
- Developed customized Statements of Work (SOW) and provided strategic risk guidance to ensure alignment with Client objectives and regulatory controls.
- Presented strategic updates and key findings on behalf of Clients, effectively engaging internal and external stakeholders to drive informed decision-making and Security Roadmap planning.
- Continuously monitored regulatory changes and industry standards to provide informed guidance on Client compliance and operational impact.
Project Manager, Financial
NetSPI
Minneapolis
04.2022 - 12.2022
- Coordinated and led Client-driven, solution-focused program activities, ensuring efficient task completion and adherence to timelines.
- Managed an average of 15 Client applications weekly, contributing to a consistent 100% SLA Scorecard Record annually.
- Served as the primary Client point-of-contact for the SAST Verification Program, collaborating with senior leadership to deliver weekly deliverables.
- Drove successful project execution during high-growth phases, overcoming tight deadlines and resource challenges to meet business objectives.
- Provided clear direction to Internal Security Teams, setting expectations and due dates for deliverables.
- Provided strategic leadership during periods of ambiguity, maintaining team engagement and direction, which contributed to a 25% increase in on-time project delivery and a 15% improvement in team satisfaction scores (via internal surveys) during a high-growth, rapidly evolving phase.
Penetration Test Delivery Lead, Retail
Accenture
Cleveland
03.2021 - 04.2022
- Directed penetration test planning, scheduling, and execution, achieving a 40% higher service throughput compared to other vendors.
- Facilitated the scaling of project capacity by 200% within four months, enhancing team efficiency and resource utilization.
- Secured a project budget increase of $184,800 per month, representing a 30% growth, while maintaining high-quality deliverables.
- Utilized insights from multiple data streams such as performance reports and employee surveys to pinpoint areas for operational enhancement, driving a 15% increase in overall program effectiveness.
- Established clear communication protocols and daily stand-up routines, enhancing cross-functional collaboration and reducing project misalignments by 25%.
- Drove strategic initiatives to continuously evolve the penetration testing program in alignment with organizational goals and emerging security trends.
- Managed Stakeholder expectations and foster strong relationships with Clients, Internal Teams, and External Partners.
Project Manager Lead, Telecommunications
Accenture
Cleveland
10.2017 - 03.2021
- Lead a team specializing in web application penetration testing, achieving 100% tester efficiency and consistently surpassing client expectations in both domestic and international settings.
- Built and led an International Security Team with diverse advanced skill sets, reducing client overhead by 30% and strengthening security infrastructure, resulting in a 25% decrease in detected vulnerabilities within the first year.
- Implemented a tracking dashboard to monitor testing activities, ensuring weekly milestones were met and aligning team efforts with business objectives.
- Managed the completion of an average of 50 Client applications monthly, exceeding project milestones by 125% from initial contact to final remediation meetings.
- Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams across departments including Security Engineering, Product Management, and Compliance to align objectives, streamline workflows, and successfully achieve project goals within deadlines.
- Documented and updated program requirements, processes, and procedures on internal platforms to ensure alignment across teams and maintain up-to-date reference materials.
- Developed detailed project plans, tracked monthly progress against KPIs, and delivered comprehensive reports to stakeholders, enabling informed decision-making and on-time deliverables.
- Led regular meetings to review project milestones, facilitate idea generation, and select effective task management techniques, contributing to a 20% improvement in team productivity and a 15% reduction in project delays.
- Proactively identified potential risks and developed strategies for mitigating them.
- Devised and managed plans and schedules for concurrent projects in JIRA, ensuring all deadlines were consistently met and improving ontime delivery rates by 20%.
Education
Master of Science - Cybersecurity
Walden University
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Franklin University
Skills
- Financial Program Management
- Program Capacity Planning
- Client Relationship Management
- Propose and Drive Program Efficiency
- Financial Modeling
- Contract Planning
- Project Forecasting
- Efficiency Planning
- Vendor Acquisition
- Vendor Management
- General Process Improvement
- Automation Implementation
- Thought Leadership
- Expectation Planning and Setting
- Risk Identification and Management
- Security Roadmap Planning
- Burp Suite
- Kali Linux
- Wireshark
- Attack Surface Management
- Breach & Attack Simulation
- Cloud
- Web Application Security
- GenAI
Personal Information
Title: Program Manager
Timeline
Program Manager
Amazon
08.2023 - Current
Technical Client Director
NetSPI
12.2022 - 08.2023
Project Manager, Financial
NetSPI
04.2022 - 12.2022
Penetration Test Delivery Lead, Retail
Accenture
03.2021 - 04.2022
Project Manager Lead, Telecommunications
Accenture
10.2017 - 03.2021
Master of Science - Cybersecurity
Walden University
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Franklin University