Ali Raza Masood

My core responsibility is to manage strategic planning and development program and to oversee the implementation of resultant cross-functional projects using project management best practices and methodologies. I also manage strategic reporting to the Chief Executive Team (CET) which covers progress tracking during project execution and regular updates on realisation of benefits post implementation. I develop and maintain project plans, reports and dashboards which enable Executive team to take key strategic decisions.

Responsibilities:
1. Strategic data analysis, market research, process mapping, documentation and project management on all strategic planning and development projects.
2. Managing project funnel and facilitating CET in prioritising projects and resource allocation.
3. Partnering with functional leads and their designated project managers in project planning, execution and reporting.
4. Working closely with the assigned project managers throughout the life cycle of projects.
5. Coaching project managers on implementing project management best practices.
6. Managing cross-functional meetings for alignment thereby supporting project delivery teams in resolving issues, mitigating risks and managing change.
7. Conducting weekly / monthly meetings and presenting project status, progress, time to completion and budget analysis.
8. Maintaining project management documentation (templates, forms, etc.) from initiation to closeout.
9. Overseeing project communication and information flow to all stakeholders from Chief Executive Team to Directors and Functional Heads.
10. Developing executive dashboards with updates on all projects in execution.
11. Guardian of project knowledge repository - maintaining all research studies, presentations, feasibility and business case documents.




Key Projects and Phases Managed:

1. Bupa Arabia Core Strategy development and implementation (two cycles)
• Position assessment, Options development, Step-change options analysis, Implementation planning, Executive reporting, Communication planning, and Coaching project managers.
2. Distribution Channel Expansion (Opening of retail outlets) • Market analysis, Target segment mapping, Resource allocation, Work breakdown, Implementation plan, Progress monitoring and reporting.
3. Hospital & Clinic Business Cases
• Extensive internal data analysis, Industry analysis, Coordination with external consultants, Patient experience process mapping, Work planning and progress reporting.
4. Retail Program • Partnered with SME Director to oversee a number of projects under the program that were geared towards achieving Retail Sales AOP targets. Key activities involved were program planning, project prioritisation, resource allocation, project plan development and executive reporting.
5. MoH Projects • Managed a couple of Bupa Arabia - MoH collaborations, i) MERS-CoV infection control training, ii) MoH primary care clinics’ due diligence.
6. End-to-end RFP Response Development for a major client • Led the functional teams in developing and compiling a comprehensive response on the RFP of a major client followed by a series of presentations.
7. Regulatory Framework / Rules Implementation • Led cross-functional team to implement new table of benefits for health insurance that required process and system changes at multiple levels across the organization.

Achievements at Bupa Arabia:
1. Successful project management of strategy development and planning program coordinating activities across the business and managing stakeholders at different levels of the organisation.
2. Turning a simple strategy function into a strategy and project management office which has become a go-to office for cross-functional alignment.
3. Won Nazer Star Award 2016 for consistently delivering high performance levels.

I had a dual role of working as a Management Consultant on client projects, and also as a Program Manager managing the internal PMO for all projects undertaken by the firm. The projects ranged from Feasibility Studies, Organizational Assessment, to Project Management documentation in large organizations.

Responsibilities:
1. Managed entire project cycle from project approval to project closure.
2. Developed PMO and project management tools.
3. Implemented project management best practices across all projects.
4. Planned and managed resource utilization.
5. Closely monitored project risks and issues and helped project teams in mitigating them.
6. Developed and maintained executive reporting dashboards.
7. Managed all project folders on Microsoft SharePoint Server (Knowledge Exchange).

Key Projects:
1. Established project management capabilities in ICT division of a large conglomerate.
2. Organizational and IPO Readiness Assessment - A Real Estate Investment Group, KSA.
3. Process mapping for HR & Administration - A Real Estate Development Company, UAE.
4. Feasibility Studies for a Specialized Magazine - A Construction Conglomerate, KSA.
5. Developed and conducted Orientation Program for trainee consultants.
6. Developed and conducted Project Management Training Program for consultants seeking PMP certification.

Achievements at impQta:
1. Creation and application of project management ‘Workbook’ using MS Excel comprising all of the major forms that were required to be filled by the project managers as part of PM best practices.
2. Successful management of PMO dashboards and project plans on Attask.com - a PPM tool.

My role can best be described as that of a business process consultant for all departments of the company. My major responsibility was to critically analyse the business processes of key departments of the company like Subscription, Fleet and HR departments to map ‘as-is’ processes; to find out lags and redundancies; and to recommend solutions for process optimization. One of the major BPI projects I did was for Subscription Department of the Company. I also worked closely with the HR Department in streamlining policies and procedures along with development of Employee Handbook, Job Descriptions and HR forms.

Responsibilities:
1. Studied existing procedures and processes in different departments.
2. Documented operational processes.
3. Developed new processes and proposed changes and improvements to the functions.
4. Worked with the teams for implementation of new processes.

Key Projects / Activities:
1. Optimised Subscription department’s processes.
2. Extensive support to HR in streamlining procedures and policies.
3. Prepared an Employee Handbook covering all the policies related to the employees.
4. Developed organizational charts and standardized positions and titles.
5. Designed flow charts of processes in HR, Subscription, Fleet and Distribution departments.
6. Designed miscellaneous forms for different departments.
7. Prepared Sales Performance presentations for the top management.
8. Conducted training sessions for Salesmen and Deliverymen.

Achievements at Saudi Distribution:
1. Reducing the subscription account opening cycle from 5 days to 2 days as a result of business process improvement thereby reducing the number of complaints by 68%.
2. Completion of Employee Handbook and HR process mapping.

I was appointed to lead the development of an e-learning portal (www.QuizBuzz.com) for the children from its inception to full implementation. It was a dynamic portal offering e-learning through curriculum and general knowledge based quizzes and competitions.

Responsibilities:
1. Drafted content for all introductory sections of the portal.
2. Led a team of 5 people for content development assigned with the task of preparing quiz questions and informative material on the site.
3. Drafted project white paper detailing its concept and e-branding opportunities it offered to sponsoring companies.
4. Prepared proposals for prospective sponsors of the project.
5. Developed marketing content like billboards, media ads, brochures, invitation letters, emails sent to the members, etc.
6. Managed and represented the project in public events like country wide Quiz Competitions, Carnivals, Seminars, etc.

Achievements at Logiks:
1. Successful content management, process mapping, specifications development and documentation of the project.

I was responsible for managing web based projects ranging from simple websites to complex portals. I was the single point of contact between company’s Lahore and USA offices and was directly handling clients for web projects.

Responsibilities:
1. Managed RFQs and RFPs on web development projects that were coming to us from the frond-end office and clients.
2. Drafted project specifications with the client/front-end managers.
3. Managed development team for their efficient utilisation.
4. Maintained progress reports for the clients and the management.

Achievements at Nextbridge:
1. Retention of overseas clients for prolonged period in fierce competition.