Shankari Dhasarathan
Atlanta,Georgia
Summary
Dynamic Senior Manager with 21 years of leadership in delivering transformative technology programs within the Telecom industry. Proven track record of driving operational excellence by aligning complex IT solutions with strategic business goals, managing $50M+ in multi-million-dollar initiatives from inception to successful delivery. Expertise in leading cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of innovation, and leveraging both Agile and Waterfall methodologies to optimize performance and accelerate growth. Adept at crafting and executing strategic roadmaps that drive digital transformation and elevate organizational capabilities. A trusted partner to senior leadership, including SVPs and VPs, with a strong reputation for delivering high-impact results, maximizing resource allocation, and cultivating high-performing teams. A visionary leader with deep industry knowledge and a passion for leveraging emerging technologies to enhance business agility and maintain competitive advantage. Experienced in managing global operations and delivering scalable solutions across regions.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Manager
Cox Communications
Atlanta, GA
02.2023 - Current
- Directed high-priority Analytical and Intelligence programs, leading to a 25% increase in data-driven decision-making capabilities. Managed cross-functional teams, achieving a 30% improvement in project delivery timelines and a 20% boost in team productivity through effective leadership and issue resolution. Led a team of 5 program and project managers, providing mentorship and fostering a high-performing team culture. Recognized for excellence in leadership with [specific award or recognition, if applicable].
- Spearheaded intricate programs with a total budget of $35 million. Achieved a 15% reduction in operational costs and increased project efficiency by 20. Implemented Agile frameworks that accelerated project delivery by 35%, ensuring alignment with strategic goals. Introduced innovative Agile practices, enhancing team collaboration and driving improved project outcomes.
- Cultivated strong relationships with senior leadership and external partners, resulting in a 40% improvement in stakeholder satisfaction and a 25% increase in collaborative opportunities. Enhanced team performance by fostering a culture of continuous improvement, achieving a 50% increase in successful project outcomes. Effectively managed stakeholder expectations and resolved conflicts to ensure alignment with business goals.
- Established and led the PMO for Marketing Analytics, standardizing project execution and improving delivery success rates by 30%. Developed best practices and governance standards, increasing process efficiency by 20% and reducing project delays by 15%. Implemented new project management tools and methodologies, improving overall project visibility and control.
- Managed the lifecycle of over 50 contracts, streamlining processes to achieve a 20% reduction in negotiation time and a 25% increase in cost savings. Improved contract compliance and reduced administrative overhead by 15% through meticulous record-keeping and collaboration with sourcing and finance teams. Negotiated favorable terms that resulted in a 10% cost reduction.
- Oversaw capital and operational budgets, achieving a 10% reduction in budget overruns and a 20% improvement in forecasting accuracy. Developed and managed annual budgets, resulting in a 15% increase in alignment with organizational financial goals. Implemented financial controls that enhanced budget accuracy and resource allocation.
- Prioritized and managed a diverse project portfolio, improving ROI by 30% and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. Facilitated review meetings to enhance project visibility and outcomes, resulting in a 25% improvement in project success rates. Utilized data-driven insights to optimize project prioritization and resource allocation.
- Streamlined delivery flow and enhanced value stream progression, leading to a 20% improvement in release train efficiency and a 15% increase in on-time delivery of epics. Implemented effective quarterly and epic planning sessions, improving transparency and execution tracking by 30%. Pioneered new value stream mapping techniques to identify and eliminate bottlenecks.
- Led a team of 5 program and project managers, providing leadership, mentorship, and support for their professional growth. Set clear goals and expectations, conducted performance reviews, and addressed performance issues. Fostered a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement, resulting in a 30% increase in employee engagement and a 25% reduction in turnover rates. Implemented development programs that enhanced team skills and career progression.
Senior Program Manager
Cox Commnications via Genpact (Sr.Mgr) and Softsol
04.2014 - 01.2023
- Spearheaded the comprehensive modernization of data strategy and architecture, transforming data design, build, and quality components to align with advanced hybrid cloud ecosystem capabilities. Directed high-impact cloud transformation initiatives with a $20M budget, leading to 80+ successful releases of over 300 features across major software applications. This modernization significantly enhanced system performance and scalability, supporting approximately 6,000 users in diverse domains, including Customer Care, Engineering, Field Service, Outside Plant, Service Assurance, and Cox Business.
- Led 100+ critical projects for Data Support Systems and Network Management Systems with budgets ranging from $4M to $5M. Managed a team of 30+ resources overseeing platforms such as Enterprise Data Warehouse, Big Data, BMC Remedy, Splunk, Polling Applications, and IBM Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager. Delivered end-to-end project management, including lifecycle management for enhancements, change requests, and bug fixes, achieving a 30% improvement in project delivery timelines and a 20% increase in overall system reliability.
- Orchestrated complex project life cycles from planning and execution to delivery, ensuring alignment with established methodologies and organizational objectives. Developed and managed intricate project schedules, balancing dependencies, resource requirements, and risk mitigation strategies, leading to a 25% increase in project efficiency and a 15% reduction in budget overruns.
- Championed Agile transformation, building and developing new Agile teams that fostered a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Facilitated key Agile activities, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives, resulting in a 35% acceleration in project delivery and a 40% enhancement in team collaboration and performance.
- Cultivated high-performance PMO teams through targeted coaching, mentoring, and professional development. Identified skill gaps and created development plans, leading to a 50% increase in team capabilities and career growth. Effectively managed resource allocation within the PMO, aligning staffing levels with project needs and optimizing team performance, resulting in a 20% improvement in project success rates.
- Directed the recruitment and onboarding of PMO staff, ensuring new hires were fully equipped to contribute effectively. Conducted performance evaluations, provided actionable feedback, recognized achievements, and addressed performance issues, maintaining a high standard of excellence and a 30% increase in overall team satisfaction.
- Delivered high-impact executive presentations and conducted weekly project and program status reviews with senior leadership for high-priority initiatives. Ensured alignment with strategic goals and facilitated the timely resolution of critical issues, enhancing executive visibility and decision-making, which contributed to a 25% improvement in strategic alignment and project outcomes.
- Proactively identified, analyzed, and mitigated project risks throughout the lifecycle, employing risk management strategies that minimized disruptions and drove successful project delivery. Promoted continuous improvement through iterative reviews and process refinements, resulting in a 20% increase in process efficiency and a 15% reduction in project delays.
Analyst IT
Cisco Systems, Inc.
05.2012 - 01.2014
- Successfully managed the Oracle systems upgrade, covering planning, design, testing, and deployment, delivering the project on time and within budget with minimal business disruption.
- Directed a team of 20+ stakeholders, including developers, DBAs, QA engineers, and business analysts, ensuring smooth collaboration between technical and business teams.
- Developed a detailed project plan outlining scope, objectives, timelines, and deliverables, using Gantt charts and status reports to track progress and ensure timely completion.
- Managed key risks such as data migration and system downtime, creating robust contingency plans and addressing technical challenges to maintain system performance.
- Acted as the main point of contact for all stakeholders, providing regular updates to senior management through meetings and presentations on project progress and outcomes.
- Created and executed a change management plan, coordinating with business teams to train users on the new Oracle features, ensuring smooth adoption and reduced learning curve post-upgrade.
- Managed post-launch activities, including system monitoring and optimization, ensuring a successful transition to operational teams, resulting in a 25% improvement in system performance and enhanced database security.
Delivery Project Lead
Mphasis An HP
10.2003 - 05.2012
- Led application development and maintenance for various subsystems for Vodafone’s ( Germany Telecom Gaint ) Business Support Systems (BSS) and Operational Support Systems (OSS), ensuring all initiatives aligned with Vodafone’s business strategies and priorities. Managed a large-scale project with a $5M budget and a team of over 300 resources.
- Directed a diverse team of 80+ resources, including developers, analysts, and operational staff, fostering collaboration, productivity, and continuous improvement across multiple project streams. Mentored and developed team members to maximize their potential and align with project goals.
- Partnered with Vodafone’s client leadership to craft resourcing strategies, balancing the needs of critical projects and day-to-day operational support for optimal resource deployment and project delivery.
- Oversaw project tracking, managing schedules, budgets, revenue, and milestones, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to financial targets.
- Regularly reviewed and reported on project health, closely monitoring variances in scope, schedule, cost, and quality to proactively address issues and ensure successful project execution.
Skills
1 Strategic Planning:
- Proficient in crafting and executing strategic roadmaps for multi-year, multi-million-dollar IT programs
- Expertise in aligning strategic business goals with program outcomes to drive organizational success
2 Program/Project Management:
- Extensive experience in leading large-scale programs with budgets over $35M
- Skilled in both Waterfall and Agile methodologies, overseeing end-to-end project lifecycles from initiation to successful delivery
3 Leadership & Team Empowerment:
- Proven ability to lead and mentor high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
- Adept at setting clear goals, providing guidance, and driving team performance in high-pressure environments
4 Financial Planning & Budgeting:
- Experience in managing capital budgets and Opex, including budget allocations, forecasting, and financial performance tracking
- Strong capability in ensuring alignment with operational goals and optimizing resource allocation
5 Stakeholder Management:
- Strong track record of managing relationships with senior leadership, clients, and external partners
- Skilled in managing expectations, facilitating communication, and ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives
6 Risk Management & Governance:
- Expertise in identifying and mitigating risks, overseeing compliance with governance standards, and establishing PMO governance for effective project execution
7 Data Analytics & Strategy:
- Experience in leading data analytics programs, with expertise in tools like Cloudera Data Platform and Snowflake
- Knowledgeable in data architecture and quality components for hybrid cloud ecosystems, driving data-driven decision-making
8 Cloud Technologies:
- Expertise in Cloud Transformation & Data Strategy, including AWS, Cloudera, and Snowflake
- Strong knowledge of AWS services such as EC2, S3, Lambda, and CloudWatch
9 Agile Methodologies:
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM) with deep expertise in facilitating Agile ceremonies, managing backlogs, and improving delivery flow
10 Vendor & Contract Management:
- Expertise in managing the contract lifecycle, including SOWs and vendor relationships
- Hands-on experience in collaborating with sourcing teams and managing financial agreements
Certification
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Release Train Engineer
Timeline
Senior Manager
Cox Communications
02.2023 - Current
Senior Program Manager
Cox Commnications via Genpact (Sr.Mgr) and Softsol
04.2014 - 01.2023
Analyst IT
Cisco Systems, Inc.
05.2012 - 01.2014
Delivery Project Lead
Mphasis An HP
10.2003 - 05.2012
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