Project Management Talent Acquisition

Khudayja Ward

Project Management

*******@****.*** ● 443-***-****

● Woodstock, MD 21163

Accomplished and results-driven professional with extensive experience leading enterprise-wide initiatives, driving operational excellence, and improving business processes across various industries, including IT, government, and healthcare. Skilled in managing end-to-end project lifecycles, from requirements gathering and stakeholder engagement to solution development and implementation. Proven track record of delivering high-impact projects within scope, budget, and timelines while ensuring client satisfaction and aligning solutions with organizational goals. Adept at cross-functional team leadership, change management, and process improvement, with a strong focus on knowledge sharing and continuous learning to enhance organizational performance. Expertise in IT infrastructure, system migrations, and business process automation, with a commitment to delivering innovative solutions that drive efficiency, optimize resources, and support long-term growth. Areas of Expertise

Project Planning & Execution

Project Stakeholder Management

Agile & Waterfall Methodologies

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

Cross-Functional Team Leadership

Operational Excellence

IT Project Management

Change Management

Risk & Issue Management

SharePoint Administration

Business Process Improvement

Enterprise Systems Development

Client Relationship Management

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

IT Infrastructure & Systems Migration

Professional Experience

We Build Foundation Columbia, MD 2022 to Present

Founder CEO

Establish and lead We Build Foundation to foster intellectual curiosity and develop character in young individuals. Conduct workshops on resume-building and job interviewing skills for high school students. Provide scholarships for marginalized families, enabling children to attend summer camps focusing on diverse activities like chess, sports, leadership, etiquette, and STEM. Create grant proposals to secure funding for summer camp initiatives for underserved youth. Advocate for educational enrichment opportunities by identifying resources and collaborations.

● Launched We Build Foundation, directly impacting youth development through educational programs and character- building initiatives.

● Secured scholarships for summer camp attendance, enhancing extracurricular education for over 50 students.

● Drafted and submitted grant proposals to expand support for youth programs, achieving initial funding targets. IMEC, Columbia, MD 2013 to Present

Human Resources/Recruiting/Leadership Part-Time Consultant Review and enhance operational systems and processes to align with organizational goals and improve performance. Conduct in-depth resume evaluations and consultant interviews, providing strategic recommendations to executive leadership. Organize and facilitate impactful "Lunch and Learn" events to bolster team cohesion and enhance staff development. Administer comprehensive employee benefits programs in collaboration with external vendors to ensure the satisfaction of all stakeholders. Engage in long-term strategy development focusing on operational excellence and client satisfaction.

● Led client-focused initiatives that boosted satisfaction scores by streamlining operational workflows and addressing key service gaps.

● Optimized core business processes and reporting frameworks, resulting in more accurate data insights and improved strategic decision-making.

● Drove organizational growth by contributing to long-term planning strategies, ensuring scalability and sustainable performance improvements.

● Increased staff engagement and productivity through the design and execution of innovative team-building programs that fostered collaboration and morale.

Deloitte Consulting, Ft. Meade, MD 2009 to 2011, 2012 to 2013 Consultant/Project Manager – Defense Information System Agency (DISA) Directed comprehensive enterprise architecture processes for defense information by analyzing requirements, developing solutions, and implementing them across various global data centers. Promoted stakeholder collaboration throughout the development life cycle to enhance efficiency and satisfaction. Developed a standardized global project schedule template utilized by multiple DISA divisions. Connected team members, users, and subject matter experts to streamline IT acquisition processes. Led the migration of operating environments from physical to virtual, working closely with system and software engineers. Facilitated communication and meetings between DISA clients and multiple vendors to ensure alignment and project progression.

● Cultivated strong, collaborative relationships across all organizational levels at DISA, driving alignment and enhancing project outcomes.

● Led candidate interviews and managed stakeholder relationships to support informed hiring decisions and improve talent acquisition processes.

● Streamlined financial reporting by consolidating complex data sets, delivering actionable insights to optimize pricing strategies and operational workflows.

● Developed and launched a SharePoint platform to centralize and distribute key resources, including Lessons Learned and Acronym Lists, improving knowledge sharing and accessibility.

● Earned a Deloitte Applause Award for delivering exceptional client satisfaction and exceeding performance expectations. Acentia/2020 LLC, Columbia, MD 2011 to 2012

Consultant/Team Lead/Supervisor – CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Led and supervised operations for team supporting proprietary applications and client service procedures at CareFirst. Provided strategic direction and mentorship to staff, establishing schedules, setting priorities, and troubleshooting issues. Analyzed performance metrics to benchmark team workload and identified trends in issue reporting for proactive solutions. Maintained high standards of customer service, ensuring swift response times and comprehensive support. Collaborated with application developers to address user-reported issues and initiated a knowledge base and onboarding toolkit for new team members. Created job descriptions aligning with departmental needs and conducted applicant interviews to inform employees about employment opportunities.

● Devised a knowledge base library and issues tracking log, enhancing the efficiency of support operations.

● Formulated a structured onboarding toolkit, streamlining integration and success of new department members.

● Implemented quality of service guidelines for improved customer interaction and satisfaction.

● Achieved effective coordination by requesting necessary efforts from the Development Group and advising on change requests.

● Promoted a positive work environment by providing detailed guidance and support for helpdesk staff in troubleshooting procedures. Additional Experience

Senior Consultant for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Deloitte Consulting, Arlington, VA Consultant/Requirements Manager – CareFirst, Ajilon Consulting, Owings Mills, MD Recruiter - Logistics Analyst, Sylvan Learning Center, Baltimore, MD Consultant – DCI Group, Tek Systems, Washington, DC Application Support Specialist, Legg Mason, Owings Mills, MD Senior Systems Analyst then promoted to Manager/Assistant Vice President of Information Technology, Merrill Lynch, New York, NY & Los Angeles, CA

Education & Credentials

Master of Arts in Industrial/Psychology, The University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC Security Clearance: Secret Clearance

Technical Proficiencies

Project Management Tools: Microsoft Project, Primavera, Remedy Collaboration & Productivity Tools: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), SharePoint, Visio, Lotus Notes IT Service Management: ITIL, Remedy

HR & Payroll Systems: ADP

Enterprise Systems & Proprietary Software: Bloomberg Terminal, Proprietary Software Database & Networking: SQL, TCP/IP

Operating Systems & Server Management: Microsoft Exchange Server Additional Skills: Software and Process Training, SMS (Systems Management Server) Affiliations

Project Management Institute (PMI)

SHRM (Society of Human Resources Management)

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