Sara Hughes
Sr. Director, Program Management Office
Dallas,TX
Summary
Functional Senior Director driving proven results within the retail, consulting, accounting, and construction industries. Manages complex occupational issues while meeting business objectives. Strong operational skills and solid experience regulating policies and managing budget expenditures. Collaborates with management teams and stakeholders to uphold company vision. Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Sr. Director, Program Management Office
DAVACO
11.2021 - Current
- Standardized processes, evaluated programs and conducted performance reviews with eye toward continuous improvement for organization.
- Improved communication within and between internal teams by establishing standard workflows, communication, and collaboration initiatives.
- Motivated top-tier subcontractors and materials suppliers to meet aggressive delivery deadlines.
- Set strategic plans and revenue goals to strengthen operations and drive growth.
- Prioritized and allocated valuable resources to meet business targets.
- Used Smartsheet and ProCore to strategically design, execute and communicate program and project management.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Planned and integrated project and program schedules.
- Met with department supervisors and provided staff support to attain organizational goals.
- Led development of business operation processes and policies.
- Developed strategic plans for Construction Operations business unit portfolio.
- Managed budget of $35 million and allocated resources between internal and external stakeholders
- Developed and tracked KPI and monitored net profitability of assigned agreements.
- Presented monthly metrics to C-Suite to improve decision-making.
- Directed design and execution of business transformation initiatives to drive performance, profit optimization and growth opportunities.
- Revamped operational plans to refocus staff and align processes with business objectives.
- Led client relationship management, contract development and extension.
- Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
- Instituted formal operating procedures and enforced adherence to policies and regulations that impacted bottom-line.
- Built cohesive teams and devised clear, actionable plans to meet program goals.
Sr. Director, Construction & Design
Village Medical
12.2020 - 11.2021
- Directed design and execution of business transformation initiatives to drive performance, profit optimization and growth opportunities.
- Partnered with financial and customer operations teams to drive business transactions using customer data and Lean concepts.
- Strategized and executed business plans for customer operations design, development and maintenance.
- Led development of business operation processes and policies.
- Revamped operational plans to refocus staff and align processes with business objectives.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Executed business plans and developed Smartsheet tools to facilitate project initiatives, trainings and administrative activities.
- Instituted formal operating procedures and enforced adherence to policies and regulations that impacted bottom-line.
Sr. Program Manager
JLL, Jones Lang LaSalle
05.2019 - 12.2020
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Set aggressive targets for employees to drive company success and strengthen motivation.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
- Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.
- Reduced waste and pursued revenue development strategies to keep department aligned with sales and profit targets.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Trained Program Management and Project Management teams to accomplish set goals and benchmarks.
- Planned, created, tested and deployed system life cycle methodology to produce high quality systems to meet and exceed customer expectations.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
- Engaged with customers, partners and constituent groups to create positive, trusting and professional relationships.
- Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
- Tracked and reported program results to customers and stakeholders to facilitate change management activities.
- Devised tools and benchmarks to improve team performance and monitor production.
- Developed detailed plans based on broad guidance and direction.
- Performed program research and analyzed data collection to develop cost estimates and budgets.
Sr. Project Manager
CarMax
09.2005 - 05.2019
- Monitored contracts and service level agreements to identify potential risks and implement mitigation actions to protect development process from unforeseen delays and costs.
- Sourced, vetted and managed vendors needed to accomplish project goals.
- Maintained open communication by presenting regular updates on project status to customers.
- Monitored project progress, identified risks and took corrective action as needed.
- Monitored project progress, identified risks and implemented corrective measures to acquire success.
- Directed changes to project scope and cost and implemented appropriate change management processes to keep project on track.
- Scheduled and facilitated meetings between project stakeholders to discuss deliverables, schedules and conflicts.
- Oversaw large portfolio of projects to support teams, report progress, and influence positive outcomes for key stakeholders.
- Partnered with project team members to identify and quickly address problems.
- Updated senior leaders on progress and roadblocks.
- Developed and maintained relationships with key stakeholders to meet objectives and boost rapport.
- Reported regularly to managers on project budget, progress and technical problems.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to determine timely delivery and compliance of project requirements.
- Crafted and maintained project plans and schedules to meet organizational objectives.
- Developed and implemented project plans and budgets to ensure successful execution.
- Developed and led multi-disciplinary team to redefine problems and reach solutions based on different perspectives.
- Analyzed project performance data to identify areas of improvement.
- Developed and maintained project budgets to control costs and meet organizational and project goals.
- Facilitated workshops to collect project requirements and user feedback.
- Maintained schedules to meet key milestones at every project phase.
- Tracked project and team member performance closely to quickly intervene in mistakes or delays.
- Established and managed change management processes to fulfill successful project transitions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VASkills
- Operational Efficiency
- Program Leadership
- Strategic Direction
- Policy and Procedure Improvement
- Extensive Smartsheet Experience
- Extensive ProCore Experience
Certification
PMP - Project Management Professional
Smartsheet Certified
ProCore Certified
Timeline
Sr. Director, Program Management Office
DAVACO
11.2021 - Current
Sr. Director, Construction & Design
Village Medical
12.2020 - 11.2021
Sr. Program Manager
JLL, Jones Lang LaSalle
05.2019 - 12.2020
Sr. Project Manager
CarMax
09.2005 - 05.2019
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Liberty University
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