Karen M. Pickell, PMP

**** ********* ***** *******, ** 32819 407-***-****

acywdt@r.postjobfree.com www.linkedin.com/in/karen-pickell

Project Program Manager

Highly skilled certified Project Management Professional with 12+ year proven track record successfully managing and delivering large, complex and wide-ranging national and international technology projects for military training systems. Excellent facilitator, collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders, work cross-functionally with technical staff, development teams, IT operations, and 3rd party vendors. Lead business and project owners through SDLC and Agile utilizing PM methodologies.

Extensive manufacturing, hardware and software development and integration background. Excellent oral and written communication skills, outstanding time management, able to prioritize and successfully handle multiple projects simultaneously. Hands-on leader, able to train, mentor and motivate teams to meet – or exceed – corporate goals. Results and detail oriented, work well in diverse environments and under intense pressure. Helped develop Project Portfolio Management Office.

Strategic/Analytical Thinker

Project/Program Management

Agile/Waterfall Methodologies

Financial Analysis

Risk Assessment/ Management

Resource Planning and Utilization

Microsoft Office Suite

Process/Quality Improvement

Project Planning/Scheduling

Staff Professional Development

Vendor Management

Product Roadmap

Customer Satisfaction

Conflict Resolution

Budget Preparation

Budget Management

Report Presentation

SDLC Methodologies

Contract Negotiations

SharePoint

Deltek Costpoint ERP

Professional Experience

CUBIC SIMULATION SYSTEMS, INC., Orlando, FL, 2000 – 2014

Mission: Make the world better through innovation, technology solutions and world-class services in defense, security and transportation.

Program Manager, 2012-2014

Engagement Skills Trainer for DOD and DOE customers.

Directed multiple national and international EST virtual training projects for $30+ million contract for military training systems. Life cycle responsibility including product development, transition to production, customer delivery and support and production close out.

Created innovative scenario development and obsolescence avoidance, including both hardware/software/ simulation and visual capabilities.

Led Agile teams, tracked velocity, financials and other KPIs relative to plan. The results were the ability to give information to the team which enhanced their productivity and to management to keep them apprised of progress on a weekly/monthly basis

Collaborated with developers, stakeholders and marketing to develop and define product roadmaps.

Strictly enforced company guidelines for configuration management and team working agreements to ensure compliance and consistency.

Directed team activities to ensure tasks were accomplished on schedule and within budget.

Supported business development including proposal development and detailed cost estimation for existing customers and potential new customers.

Developed internal project management processes and tools to enhance consistency of presentations and management of projects.

Participated and passed required annual ISO audits of management internal processes and procedures on my projects.

Provided weekly status reports and program metrics to senior management.

Created and presented monthly program management briefings to corporate executive management including comprehensive project and team performance.

Ensured compliance with all Sarbanes Oxley regulatory policies and audits.

Program Manager, 2000-2012

Ground, Position Tracking Device and Javelin Shoulder Launched Missile Trainers.

Upgraded LAV and CCTT Ground Trainers for obsolescence, new requirements and software technology improvements with both completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

Managed development of a state of art tracking device that communicates with MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain). Produced and delivered 4,500 units on schedule in 6 months.

Managed $40+ million multi-year production for Javelin Shoulder Launched indoor and tactical training systems, maintaining a 21% profit overall.

Collaborated with Javelin stakeholders; a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, to manufacture complex mechanical and electrical components, assemble and do 100% environmental testing on the final product while delivering ahead of schedule by 2 months.

During initiation of the Javelin program I presented all of the stakeholders with a plan to have a dedicated manufacturing team and facility location that would increase productivity, quality product deliveries and reduce the budget. I coordinated the facility upgrades ensuring it was within budget, met the requirements and stayed on schedule.

Motivated Javelin team to create ideas improving productivity and Lean methodology utilization by conducting monthly awards given to employee voted by their peers to have the most impact to the program.

Partnered across organizational lines with peers in support of cross-functional value initiatives and to collaborate on common management goals.

Developed strong working relationship with all stakeholders to maximize new opportunities and revenue such as upgrading Javelin Trainer to current electronic components to reduce cost and improve delivery of components.

Managed and monitored all major suppliers/sub-contractors’ schedules, quality ratings and contract negotiations.

Achieved highest rating in all categories for CPAR; Contractor Performance Assessment Report for Javelin program.

Additional experience as Manufacturing and Project Engineer with Cubic Simulation Systems.

Education

Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering/Management, Penn State University, State College, PA

Certifications

PMP (Certified Project Management Professional), 2009

Agile: PMI-ACP: Agile Work Experience complete; Agile formal PM Education complete

Certification in process

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