CV

2006 – July 2007 The National Assessment Agency (NAA)
Member of the NAA Executive Board – responsible for the strategic management and development of the NAA including the development of strategic policy to determine the future direction of the organisation. Particular roles include:
Programme Manager - responsible for the operational delivery of the National Curriculum Tests (NCT) programme in 2006 and 2007, during which time this high profile and complex programme was delivered successfully exceeding performance in previous years.
Key Responsibilities:
§ Supplier/Contract Management: Management of a portfolio of suppliers to deliver the NCT programme including the implementation and management of effective contractual control measures to drive performance and secure efficiencies.
§ Financial Management: Successful management of a £30 million per annum budget through the design and implementation of robust financial controls. Secured £500k+ savings in financial year 2006-7.
§ Programme Management: Management of delivery against a comprehensive programme plan. Proactive management of issues and risks to ensure delivery to time, cost and quality.
§ People and Stakeholder Management: Managing a high performing team of 8 staff, providing mentoring and development opportunities. Managing stakeholder expectations and reporting to senior executives within the NAA, QCA, DfES and other government departments.
Senior User (NCT Re-procurement). Responsible for the end-to-end management of procurement activities to secure a new five-year contract worth £180 million for delivery of National Curriculum Tests. This procurement exercise was one of the first to use the new EU competitive dialogue process and is currently being considered for use as an exemplary case study by the OGC.
Key Responsibilities:
§ Solution Development: Leading discussions with suppliers to develop and refine their solutions.
§ Contract /Commercial Negotiation: Working with suppliers to develop their commercial proposals and negotiate contract terms. This resulted in the QCA securing an extremely strong contractual position with a commercially advantageous solution.
§ Supplier Management: Working with the incumbent and the new supplier to effectively manage the transition, including planning for TUPE transfers, transfer of data and management of interfaces.
2004 – 2006 PricewaterhouseCoopers
Project Manager - National Assessment Agency
Managing diverse change projects within a large-scale change programme including;
§ Working with suppliers to redesign processes and policies to improve operational delivery, secure efficiencies and enhance performance.
§ Developing the NAA policies for disaster recovery and business continuity together with associated recovery plans and a business continuity planning framework, which has now been rolled out throughout the NAA.
§ Development of a comprehensive programme plan with robust governance and reporting mechanisms for NCT.
Programme Management Office - The Department for Education and Skills
Design and implementation of a Programme Management Office, with associated tools and governance arrangements, to support the more structured management of the work of the DfES Learning Academy.
Programme Planner - Ministry of Defence
Development of a comprehensive programme plan to support a large-scale development programme for the Ministry of Defence.
2002 –2004 Mott MacDonald
Business Analyst - The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Business analysis and process re-engineering to enhance efficiency in the passport issuing processes at consulates overseas, including an investigation of the implications of introducing new biometric passports.
Business analysis, requirements gathering and process design for the development of a new online system for the FCO’s Chevening scholarship programme.
Operational & Policy Advisor - Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)
Development of strategic advice to the ODPM in relation to the organisational and structural development of the UK fire and rescue service. In particular, a study into ‘The Future of Fire and Rescue Service Control Rooms in England and Wales’, the recommendations of which are now being implemented nationally.
2001 –2002 The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Programme Office Manager
Responsible for the full range of programme office and business management support to the HM Fire Inspectorate’s Special Projects Team including development of strategic and tactical policies and processes, project and programme management support and stakeholder management. Particular projects included Firelink, the procurement of a new national communications system and New Dimension, the fire and rescue service response to 9/11.

Employment History

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