Program / Project Manager

BASSEL KATTAN

Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), ITIL®

+1-416-***-**** ******.******@*****.*** Toronto, ON, Canada linkedin.com/in/basselkattan/ EDUCATION

ENSEEIHT - France

Master's & Engineering, Communication Systems and Networks EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Industry Knowledge:

• 20+ years’ experience delivering ICT, cloud, public safety, telecommunications, financial industry/Fintech, and healthcare projects across public and private sectors.

• Bilingual (English/French) with active Secret Clearance. Program & Project Leadership:

• Co-led programs exceeding $1 billion, including the Ontario Government Land Mobile Radio Network (LMRN) initiative.

• Directed the $35+ million Region of Waterloo Public Safety Radio System deployment, managing $11+ million in change requests.

• Delivered Canada’s first Azure Cloud-based pilot for public safety intersystem communication. Digital Identity & Emerging Technologies:

• Program-managed digital ID ecosystem deployments for TD, RBC, CIBC, BMO, and other major banks using blockchain and IBM BlueMix Cloud.

Stakeholder Engagement & Governance:

• Extensive experience in competing external stakeholders, governance frameworks, and steering committee leadership. Procurement & Vendor Management:

• Managed $7 million in vendor RFP negotiations for cloud solutions (Azure/MS Dynamics 365 and Adobe) at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).

Methodologies & Tools:

• Proficient in Agile, Waterfall, SDLC, and hybrid methodologies.

• Experienced with MS Project, Power BI, Planview, Jira, and Confluence. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Dal Academy & Milton Society Canada Milton, ON, Canada Program Manager Consultant lead April 2024 - Present

• Leading end-to-end project management efforts, utilizing PMP methodology and strong communication skills to guide teams and ensure project objectives were met.

• Enhanced project management capabilities for client organizations by developing and delivering tailored training programs focused on project management best practices, and strategic thinking. City of Toronto - Toronto Transit Commission Toronto, ON, Canada Senior IT Project Manager April 2023 - February 2024

• Secured $7 million investment in cloud solution initiatives (Microsoft Dynamic 365 and Adobe Content Management) by leading end-to-end project management for major RFPs, leveraging PMP methodologies and business analysis during negotiations with vendors including Deloitte and Adobe.

• Coordinated delivery of complex programs by directing cross-functional teams, utilizing strong communication skills and problem-solving to align procurement, business, technical, and operations functions.

• Enabled executive oversight by chairing steering committee meetings, presenting business analysis, capital and operating cost forecasts, and financial reviews to support project management and strategic direction.

• Modernized IT infrastructure by managing end-to-end project management of SOGR and Azure DevOps migration projects, applying business analysis and problem-solving to improve the TTC ITS organization. Motorola Solutions Toronto, ON, Canada

Program Manager March 2018 - March 2023

• Transformed an unsatisfied customer (Region of Waterloo) into a committed advocate by leading end-to-end project management, aligning the project with strategic business objectives, and leveraging strong communication skills to resolve discrepancies and negotiate effective solutions with vendors.

• Directed and saving the $35M+ deployment of the Region of Waterloo’s next-generation public safety radio system through cross-functional team management, managing $11M+ in Change Requests and transitioning to a hybrid Waterfall-Agile model to drive deployment efficiency.

• Ensured seamless service continuity for Ontario’s public safety agencies by leading cross-functional teams in managing eight system upgrades, applying problem-solving and communication skills to coordinate with Bell and Ontario Government stakeholders.

• Pioneered Canada’s first Azure Cloud-based pilot for public safety systems by managing end-to-end deployment and business analysis, integrating Astro, Vesta, and Broadband via Motorola’s Critical Connect solution.

• Supported initiation of the $1B+ Ontario Government LMRN project by delivering cross-functional project management, facilitating stakeholder training, and leveraging PMP best practices to achieve project objectives. Canadian Federal Government -Shared Service Canada (Remote) Toronto, ON, Canada Bilingual Consultant October 2021 - December 2022

• Enabled informed decision-making for disaster recovery strategies for federal government agencies by presenting data- driven business analysis to stakeholders using Microsoft PowerBI, leveraging communication skills.

• Enhanced disaster recovery planning and cross-functional collaboration by leading end-to-end project management activities and applying PMP best practices.

• Increased visibility of disaster recovery projects by creating a project management tool to track milestones and action items for cross-functional teams.

• Improved readiness for critical events by providing internal support and problem-solving expertise in end-to-end project execution and After-Action Reports.

Securekey [Now part of Avast Software] Toronto, ON, Canada Bilingual Project Manager / Delivery Manager November 2016 - February 2018

• Delivered Canada’s first digital ID ecosystem for major financial institutions (TD, RBC, CIBC, BMO, Scotia, Desjardins, National Bank) through end-to-end project management, leading cross-functional teams across 9 streams and leveraging PMP best practices and agile methodology.

• Ensured seamless deployment and transition of the Quebec Revenue Concierge service – impacting 8 million citizens- by applying advanced problem-solving and business analysis, overseeing delivery and driving stakeholder alignment with Canadian financial institutions.

• Coordinated product release deployments for blockchain and mobile app components by utilizing strong communication skills and project management expertise to align cross-functional efforts and deliver releases on schedule.

• Program managed the Ontario Concierge Service deployment by directing end-to-end project delivery and cross- functional stakeholder engagement, ensuring objectives were met through strategic business analysis and problem- solving.

TELUS Toronto, ON, Canada

Sr. Security Project Manager January 2016 - November 2016

• Delivered 13 medium-scale security projects across multiple industries by directing cross-functional teams in end-to-end deployment and integration of SIEM, firewall, VPN, and wireless solutions using PMP methodologies.

• Implemented various Cisco, HP, Palo Alto, Juniper, Meraki solutions as part project and managed services offering.

• Improved client outcomes and alignment with strategic goals by leveraging communication skills and business analysis to address client needs and resolve escalations.

• Ensured seamless project transitions to Managed Services by applying project management and problem-solving skills to manage risks and facilitate knowledge transfer.

Coreworx [Now part of Ascertra] Calgary, AB, Canada Project Manager /Professional Service Manager August 2014 - June 2015

• Delivered enterprise content management software solutions for major Oil & Gas clients through end-to-end project management, leading cross-functional teams using Agile and SDLC frameworks, and applying business analysis and problem-solving skills.

• Served as primary escalation point for implementation and support services in a complex project management environment, utilizing PMP principles and strong communication skills to coordinate resources and resolve issues.

• Achieved record implementation timeline for the first strategic UAE project by directing cross-functional teams and leveraging structured business analysis and problem-solving to meet client requirements efficiently. Sokatel Solutions Toronto, ON, Canada

Project Manager/ Service Sales Manager July 2009 - May 2014

• Delivered multimillion-dollar services for wireless, data, and core infrastructure projects by leading end-to-end project management and stakeholder engagement using PMP principles.

• Secured high-value contracts and improved customer satisfaction through cross-functional collaboration and strong communication skills in negotiation and MOU creation.

• Pioneered a market-based knowledge transfer model by developing innovative knowledge dissemination processes using business analysis and problem-solving.

• Maintained project cost control and effective change management by overseeing financials and ensuring scope, schedule, and budget adherence through project management.

• Drove efficient project execution and team alignment by leading cross-functional teams and developing project scopes using PMP methodology and communication skills.

Nortel Networks Toronto, ON, Canada

System Engineer & Project Engineer October 2000 - June 2009

• Successfully introduced new technology to client operations by leading cross-functional teams and utilizing end-to-end project management, including business analysis and PMP methodologies during carrier Ethernet technical trials and technology migration for Bell Canada Enterprises.

• Ensured seamless technology adoption and client satisfaction by facilitating key on-site technology introductions, leveraging strong communication skills and problem-solving abilities to address technical and business challenges in a complex multi-stakeholder environment.

• Streamlined project delivery timelines by utilizing project management and business analysis skills to align cross- functional teams and resolve issues during carrier Ethernet trials and technology migration projects. SKILLS

Skills: CloudFormation, Confluence, JIRA, Financial analysis, Agile, SCRUM, project management, Microsoft Project, Planview, influencing, Excel/Numbers/Sheets, Blockchain, Computer Networking, TCP/IP. Languages: Fluent in English, French and Arabic.

CERTIFICATIONS

• Project Management Professional (PMP) – Project Management Institute License #1324885, received in 2009-2027

• ITIL® Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management

• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) – Scrum Alliance #1180797, 2021-2026.

• Designing and Building Artificial Intelligence Products and Services – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 2024

• CISSP Prep – Certified Information Systems Security Professional, CertFirst, 2024 INTEREST & VOLUNTEERING

Ski Instructor at Blue Mountain (2022-Present):

• Passionately serve as a ski instructor at Blue Mountain, imparting skiing skills and fostering a love for the sport.

• Guiding beginners and refining techniques for seasoned skiers are key aspects of this role. Ski Patroller at Conservation Halton / Glen Eden (2022-2024):

• Volunteered as a ski patroller, ensuring safety and assisting visitors at Glen Eden within the Halton Region.

• Responsibilities include emergency response, first aid, and maintaining a secure skiing environment.

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