Strategic Operations Leader and Project Manager

YAHAIRA ESCRIBANO

Hartford, CT ***** 860-***-**** *.*************@*****.***

Professional Summary

Strategic operations and planning leader with over 10 years of experience driving enterprise-level initiatives and partnering with executive leadership to translate strategy into execution. Proven ability to lead cross-functional planning, build operational frameworks, and drive organizational alignment. Experienced managing complex portfolios, improving operational performance, and supporting executive decision-making in fast-moving, high-impact environments.

Core Skills

Strategy & Operations Leadership

Chief of Staff & Executive Partnership

Cross-Functional Program Execution

Operational Planning & Cadence Management

Executive Prioritization & Alignment

Process Design & Operational Efficiency

Program & Portfolio Management

Executive Communications & Briefings

Stakeholder Coordination & Influence

Risk Identification & Resolution

Contract Negotiation & Compliance

Executive, Board & Client Reporting

Procurement & Vendor Management

Portfolio / Budget Oversight ($5M+)

Process Improvement & Scaling

Remote / Cross-Jurisdiction Leadership

Professional Experience

Senior Program Manager, Strategy & Operations 10/2024 to Current

State of Connecticut

Serve as strategic execution partner to executive leadership, translating priorities into structured plans and operational roadmaps.

Drive cross-functional coordination across legal, finance, procurement, and external stakeholders to ensure execution alignment.

Support strategic planning efforts by translating leadership priorities into implementation roadmaps, milestones, and measurable outcomes

Develop implementation timelines, performance tracking frameworks, and executive reporting to support leadership decision-making.

Identify risks and operational bottlenecks and proactively implement solutions to maintain execution momentum.

Provide leadership visibility into initiative progress, key decisions, and emerging risks across a multi-initiative portfolio.

Manage complex, multi-million-dollar programs from concept through execution and close-out, ensuring accountability and results.

Facilitate alignment across stakeholders with competing priorities while maintaining momentum and clear ownership.

Strengthen operational clarity by documenting processes, decisions, and next steps to improve follow-through and speed.

Serve as primary relationship partner to external stakeholders, ensuring alignment, responsiveness, and successful delivery of complex initiatives.

Analyze program performance and compliance requirements to surface risks early and recommend corrective actions.

Delegate work and set priorities with internal staff to ensure consistent delivery and execution quality.

Chief of Staff, Strategy & Operations 01/2024 to 04/2024

City of Hartford Hartford, CT

Served as strategic partner to executive leadership, ensuring alignment and execution of high-priority initiatives.

Supported executive strategic planning cycles by aligning departmental priorities, tracking initiatives, and ensuring execution against leadership objectives

Translated executive priorities into structured initiatives, execution plans, and operational workflows across departments.

Prepared executive briefings, tracked action items, and ensured follow-through on leadership directives.

Coordinated cross-functional teams, legal counsel, and external stakeholders to advance key initiatives under tight timelines.

Established operational processes that improved coordination, accountability, and execution efficiency.

Provided leadership with visibility into progress, risks, and decision points to support rapid, informed execution.

Program & Operations Officer 10/2021 to 12/2023

Hartford Land Bank Hartford, CT

Led end-to-end execution of redevelopment initiatives involving contractors, attorneys, municipalities, and developers.

Designed and implemented operational workflows that improved execution efficiency and partner coordination.

Managed vendor relationships, procurement processes, and contract negotiations to support timely project delivery.

Built structured tracking for budgets, schedules, and deliverables to improve leadership visibility and accountability.

Led RFP processes, evaluated proposals, negotiated terms, and selected development partners.

Coordinated with boards and stakeholders to keep initiatives on track, resolve issues, and maintain momentum.

Collaborated with community partners to advance neighborhood revitalization and homeownership outcomes.

Partner Programs Coordinator 07/2019 to 10/2021

Foodshare Bloomfield, CT

Coordinated relationships and communications with over 100 partner organizations to support program execution.

Managed program logistics, reporting, and operational coordination to ensure consistent delivery and compliance.

Provided high-touch support to diverse stakeholders, strengthening collaboration and responsiveness.

Maintained organized documentation and tracking systems to support visibility, continuous improvement, and follow-through.

Education

Master of Public Administration

University of Connecticut Hartford, CT

Magna Cum Laude

GPA: 3.95

Bachelor of Arts: Urban & Community Studies

University of Connecticut Hartford, CT

Magna Cum Laude

GPA: 3.9

Websites, Portfolios, Profiles

linkedin.com/in/yahaira-escribano

Languages

Spanish, Native / Bilingual

Leadership And Governance

Vice Chair, Hartford Board of Education

Advisory Committee Member, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Race Equity Advisory Council, Leadership Greater Hartford

Community Leadership Corps, Obama Foundation

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