Project Manager Management

Mohamad Zafer Chaaban, BS-ECE, PMP – Senior Project Manager

Helping businesses transform opportunity into profitability

Innovative and focused senior project manager audits, analyzes and implements technical requirements as the driving force behind complex, multi-million dollar telecommunication projects for industry-leading telecom companies. Sets strategic process and communications plan for large-scale telecom turnkey projects to ensure business is well-poised for future growth. Accelerates project delivery schedules, reduces costs and engages the highest quality teams to deliver projects on time within budget. Develops insightful and practical solutions to support transformational investments and achieve business vision. Offers 20+ years experience as operator, vendor, and contractor leveraging expertise in 2G, 3G and LTE (4G) mobile telecoms within Ericsson, Tellabs, Nokia, Alcatel and Motorola frameworks. Mitigates risk, enhances processes and improves overall operational efficiency. Authorised to Work in Canada as Permanent Resident

Key Proficiencies:

Entrepreneurial Leadership

Global Best Practices

Profitability & Productivity Improvement

Consensus Building

Customer-Focused

Cross-Functional Team Leadership

World Class Organization

Strategic Vision & Planning

High-Level Contract Negotiations

Stakeholder Management

Multi-site Operations Management

Profit & Loss (P&L) Management

Project Management

Risk Management & Cost Control

Reorganization & Revitalization

Languages: English French Arabic

INTERNATIONAL TELECOM LEADERSHIP

Head of Implementation Management USD $150M operating budget of $800M project 2012-present

ERICSSON GLOBAL TELECOM VENDOR (SAUDI ARABIA BU)

A world leader in the rapidly changing environment of communications technology – providing equipment, software and services to enable transformation through mobility

Recruited to lead entire LTE network build of 3,000 sites (upgrading 2G & 3G networks) and Implement transmission facilities to support business vision.

Organized, orchestrated, and oversaw project to implement multi-million dollar operator’s network. Led programming of 2G, 3G, LTE and TRM, acquisition, civil, RAN, CORE and transmission work.

Executed plan from idea to completion, cultivated and aligned teams (seven direct reports, 45 indirect and 250+ contractors) aligned stakeholders, and ensured successful delivery of $150M project.

Set implementation budget of each project; tracked budgets, controlled costs on site, and successfully sought out opportunity to capture increase margin (P&L) while enhancing quality of delivery.

Drove implementation of strategic vision and led internal communication strategy that established collaborative environment and improved organizational performance.

Leveraged technical expertise to examine and ensure engineering work and related technical documents were accurate and delivered on time.

Supervised and scrutinized each implementation team to ensure continued high-quality standards were continually met.

Mitigated risks and secured positive outcomes after implementing and conducting regular quality and operational health and safety (OHS) audits on site(s).

Reduced costs and enhanced productivity by auditing quality of resources and implementing processes to negotiate with vendors. Produced 50% reduction in resources within three years and reduced contractor costs by 7%.

Increased efficiency having recognized low morale within project team; designed strategies to re-energize teams, dramatically improved morale across multiple departments leading to savings of time and resources.

Reducing Costs Mitigating Risk Generating Revenue

+966-********* ************@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/mohamadchaaban/

Mohamad Chaaban, BS-ECE, PMP

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Roll out Program Manager USD $150M 7 direct and 330 indirect reports 2011

ERICSSON GLOBAL TELECOM VENDOR

Hand-selected to ran the roll out and deployment project for STC Account (USD $150M); scoped acquisition, and civil work, implementation of new sites; modernization of existing 3G & 2G networks and build LTE network.

Turned-around customer relation issue through transparency, communication, accurate planning and respect. Re-established trust then strengthened relationship that led to new USD $530 M (2B SAR) contract.

Prepared and tracked project schedule plan managed P&L, recruited, hired, and trained staff and third party contractors then prepared team development strategy aimed at optimizing efficiencies to reduce costs.

Designed weekly progress reports, liaised with senior leadership, communicated and coordinated with customers and key stakeholders both internally and externally, and ensured quality on each site.

Upgraded certification and audit of Health and Safety (OHS) resources inside the organization and for third party contractors.

Modernized support and maintained continuity of work to complete project within limited timeframe.

Senior Roll out Project Manager $120M project 700 remote sites annually 2007-2010

STC MOBILE NETWORK (commercially known as AL-JAWAL)

The largest telecommunications company in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) USD $12B+ in revenues in 2014 with fiber-optic cable network spanning 137K km across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe

Chosen to launch and upgrade 3G Network (USD $120 M) 700+ sites/year, both macro and in-building.

Consolidated resources, analyzed processes, set corrective course and accelerated team performance through process improvements that closed gap, avoided losses and ensured successful launch on time and under budget.

Built project team, produced development strategies, managed subcontractors, aligned project deliverables with time, cost, and quality then liaised with key stakeholders and conserved resources while improving processes.

Selected vendor, coordinated work schedules, controlled budgets, finalized projects and followed up on acquisition and civil work required for new sites.

Formulated strategy to implement phase two of 3G network in Saudi Arabia USD $170M ( 600M SAR); aligned stakeholders with diverse priorities, introduced product in the network, produced training resources for new product and realigned teams based on competencies.

Regional Roll out Project Manager 30 direct reports (technical and non-technical) 2005-2006

NEDJMA (Algerian subsidiary of Ooredoo)

One of the world’s largest mobile telecommunications companies, with over 114M customers worldwide; named “Best Mobile Operator of the Year” at the World Communication Awards 2013.

Sought out and hired to re-align failing project after establishing reputation as a ‘fixer’.

Evaluated project weaknesses, 2G networks (phase one) east of Algeria in difficult terrain with limited facilities; established processes, re-negotiated contracts and resources to ensure optimal pricing, then launched 2G network within a few months. Closed the gap, recouped year-long losses, and exceeded coverage KPIs for the project.

Built capacity, motivated individuals, designed training plan (to eliminate extra cost) and implemented phase two with non-technical team unfamiliar with massive roll out. Completed project seven months ahead of the target of one year; early delivery resulted in advance revenue and reduction in resources.

Reducing Costs Mitigating Risk Generating Revenue

+966-********* ************@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/mohamadchaaban/

Mohamad Chaaban, BS-ECE, PMP

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Network Roll Out Project Manager (Head of Department) $10M budgets 2004

AREEBA CYPRUS

One of MTN group mobile phone operators in the Middle East and Africa with responsibility for implementing new 2G (GSM) and 3G (UMTS) network in Cyprus

Hired to remedy failed launch of wireless network in Cyprus (first country in the eastern Mediterranean to launch 3G)

Analyzed weaknesses of predecessor’s strategy, negotiated contracts with reliable, knowledgeable sources (Greece, France, Jordan), recruited and built strong teams, and launched solid, sustainable infrastructure in Cyprus.

Production Manager (Head of Department) 200 staff 2000-2004

Project Manager 30+ specialists construction of 300+ sites across Egypt 1998-2000

MOBISERVE (1998 – 2004)

Provides leading technical and telecom services and top notch business services (member of the Orascom telecom holding group; the main contractor of Egyptian operator, MobiNil (France Telecom / Orange Subsidiary in Egypt) covering c2,000 GSM owned sites)

Inherited stalled project failing to meet targets; promoted to recover lost momentum, reorganize and revitalize department and improve situation where possible.

Assessed situation, identified issues, acted swiftly to recapture losses, motivated staff, engaged individuals and checked for both efficiency and capability of resources to ensure progress.

Re-evaluated and re-assigned many of the 200 personnel, improved efficiency of work processes and within three months recovered the six month delay and achieved the impending target.

FORMAL EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

PMP Certification Project Management Institute 2011

PRINCE2 Foundation Certification APMG International 2006, 2014

Bachelor of Science, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering Beirut Arab University, Lebanon 1996

Final Project: Design of a microwave link between two Lebanese villages situated in a mountainous area

AWARDS

Top Contributor Ericsson Global 2016

Peer-nominated for outstanding contributions to the organization; assessed by country, then global committee, earning recognition for consistent excellence

Level One Global Leadership CEB GLOBAL

The leading member-based advisory company that helps leaders realize outsized returns. Member companies include nearly 90% of the Fortune 500, more than 75% of the Dow Jones Asian Titans, and 85% of the FTSE 100

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Finance for non-financial Managers Management Training Effective Leadership

PROFESSIONAL & VOLUNTEER AFFILIATIONS

Lebanese Engineering Syndicate Saudi Engineering Council

TESTIMONIALS

“Mohamad shows strong interest in coaching others, providing growth opportunities and development. He is comfortable in social situations, and listens carefully to others viewpoints.” - Annual Performance Review

“Mohamad is one of the best among all people I have ever met. He was fantastic to work with. Great Manager. Results driven, innovative and deadline oriented. He managed the project team with very successful results.”

- 3G Project Manager, Norconsult Telematic

Reducing Costs Mitigating Risk Generating Revenue

+966-********* ************@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/mohamadchaaban/

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