Leigh Josephs

• Drove adoption of best practices for project management within the organization as a whole by introducing standardized processes and documentation methods.
• Built strong relationships with key stakeholders across departments, enhancing collaboration on critical projects.
• Established clear product vision and strategy, aligning business goals with customer needs.
• Managed vendor relationships for cost-effective sourcing of materials and components, reducing production costs.
• Oversaw budget allocation for product development projects, ensuring optimal resource utilization.
• Developed comprehensive roadmaps to guide product development from ideation to launch, ensuring timely delivery.
• Introduced automation tools into the workflow that increased efficiency within the product management team significantly.
• Enhanced product development process by implementing agile methodologies and streamlining team communication.
• Mentored junior team members in best practices for product management, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Presented insights from user feedback analysis at key meetings which resulted in actionable improvements being implemented quickly.
• Implemented data-driven decision-making processes, improving overall product performance and competitiveness.
• Optimized user experience by collaborating with UX designers and conducting extensive user testing.
• Led cross-functional teams for successful product launches, resulting in increased market share and customer satisfaction.
• Championed innovative solutions by encouraging open dialogue among team members and embracing experimentation.
• Developed product documentation to communicate upcoming features and products to internal teams.
• Analyzed metrics to measure product performance.
• Prioritized roadmap in order to achieve product goals and metrics.
• Reviewed sales, customer concerns, and new opportunities to drive business strategy at weekly planning sessions.
• Thrived in fast-paced, highly-adept team to develop and prioritize product features and build product roadmap.

• For various products with various development languages and tech stacks, e.g., Ruby on Rails; Android; iOS (Kotlin) Go-lang; Flutter; .Net
• Mentor to Junior/Intermediate Product Owners
• Increased team efficiency by streamlining processes and optimizing workflows for cross-functional collaboration.
• Improved user experience through regular collaboration with UX designers and incorporating feedback from end users.
• Created and maintained comprehensive product documentation, ensuring all team members had access to up-to-date information on project requirements, features, and specifications.
• Delivered market-leading products, ensuring alignment with overall business strategy and customer needs.
• Achieved consistent on-time product releases by effectively managing resources and prioritizing tasks according to business goals.
• Optimised product performance by conducting thorough analyses of usage data and identifying areas for improvement.
• Reduced time-to-market by fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the development team.
• Maintained competitive advantage in the market space by staying current on industry trends and incorporating relevant innovations into product offerings when appropriate.
• Mitigated risks associated with product development through proactive identification, assessment, and management of potential issues or obstacles.
• Ensured seamless integration of new features with existing systems by working closely with software architects and developers.
• Enhanced product quality by implementing agile methodologies and continuously refining backlog priorities.
• Contributed to revenue growth by identifying opportunities for upselling or cross-selling related products or services based on customer needs analysis.
• Developed detailed product roadmaps, providing clear direction for the development team and stakeholders.
• Fostered innovation within the team through brainstorming sessions and collaborative problem-solving exercises.
• Boosted customer satisfaction through regular engagement with client representatives and ensuring timely resolution of issues.
• Streamlined communication channels between development teams and stakeholders by establishing regular reporting mechanisms and feedback loops.
• Led successful product launches, coordinating efforts across multiple departments including marketing, sales, and support teams.
• Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure alignment on project objectives.
• Facilitated effective decision-making among stakeholders through clear presentation of data-driven insights regarding project progress or challenges.
• Championed best practices in Agile Product Management throughout the organization, helping to promote a culture of continuous learning and adaptation among colleagues.
• Owned and prioritized product backlog.
• Oversaw entire product deployments from vision and creation to rollout and delivery.
• Managed implementation of new features by outlining plans and specifications such as how, where, and when each component would work.
• Analyzed customer feedback to identify areas for improvement.
• Coordinated with software developers to create custom applications and trackers to achieve client goals.
• Managed budget allocation and resource utilization to maximize marketing ROI.
• Captured new customers by optimizing business strategies and launching products to diversify offerings.

• Provided remote troubleshooting and support for users.
• Created and maintained policy documentation on troubleshooting systems, detailing best practices and inherent goals.
• Responded to incidents quickly, troubleshot problems and corrected faults.
• Communicated with third party providers and business channel partners to maintain strong commercial alliances.
• Managed systems infrastructure, overseeing logistical movement to maintain smooth operations and prevent equipment and skill deficits.
• Recommended systems improvements to technical staff, prioritizing maximum return on investment (ROI).
• Spearheaded cost-saving efforts, transitioning to cloud-based system and virtualization.
• Led company-wide system installation, overseeing upgrades to provide minimal interruptions to business continuity.
• Drafted change management policies to streamline introductions of new software and systems.
• Oversaw internal reporting protocols for system malfunction incidents, designing pre-rendered incident report formats to streamline response measures.
• Administered system controls, databases, and networks.
• Provided responsive technical support to colleagues experiencing system issues, troubleshooting problems and implementing solutions in a timely manner.
• Conducted thorough evaluations of third-party applications prior to deployment, ensuring compatibility with existing systems architecture and adherence to company security standards.
• Implemented monitoring tools to proactively identify potential issues before they escalated into larger problems, minimizing disruptions to daily operations.
• Championed continuous improvement initiatives within the IT department by encouraging open communication, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among team members.
• Led cross-functional teams in the successful completion of high-impact IT projects on time and within budget constraints.
• Advised senior leadership on emerging technology trends and their potential impact on current systems infrastructure, facilitating informed decision-making regarding future investments.
• Collaborated with business stakeholders to define system requirements for new technology initiatives, translating needs into actionable project plans.

• Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
• Managed full product lifecycle, from ideation through post-launch support, ensuring consistent quality control measures were in place.
• Managed multiple strategic projects with numerous sub-projects or workstreams.
• Collaborated with business leadership to set priorities based on business needs, resource capacity and risk exposure.
• Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
• Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, fostering collaboration across departments for seamless product development.
• Increased product adoption by identifying customer needs and developing innovative product features.
• Improved user experience by collaborating closely with design and development teams on UI/UX enhancements.
• Managed stakeholder expectations effectively throughout the entire product development process.
• Managed product roadmaps, aligning with company goals and ensuring timely delivery of key features.
• Drove go-to-market plans for product releases, coordinating marketing efforts to raise brand awareness and generate leads.
• Led cross-functional teams for successful product launches, resulting in increased market share.
• Leveraged Agile methodologies for efficient project management and rapid iteration cycles in response to changing market demands.
• Collaborated with sales teams on generating targeted marketing materials that effectively communicated unique selling points of each product offering.
• Managed product demonstrations and testimonials for performance evaluation.
• Streamlined internal processes by implementing best practices in product management, increasing team efficiency and productivity.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction rates through proactive communication of feature updates, bug fixes, and other relevant information related to the products managed.
• Processed incoming bug report analyses to design software update roadmaps.
• Liaised with sales and marketing team to collect customer feedback, incorporating into subsequent production runs and development lifecycles.
• Ensured regulatory compliance by working closely with legal departments on necessary documentation and approvals.
• Conceptualized long-range product roadmaps and strategically designed according to market data and research.
• Met strict deadlines, coordinating moving parts in product team and orchestrating well-designed flow.
• Translated information highly technical in nature to investors and senior staff and aligned product strategy with market.
• Oversaw preparation of marketing copy, images, videos, emails, and other collateral.
• Coordinated with design and media teams to develop high-quality creative assets.
• Mentored local personnel on best practices and protocols to maximize productivity.

• Goods ID: Software and Hardware
• Implemented various small, medium and large projects for companies such as Tiger Brands and Rhodes Foods during my time with ZETES
• I managed a portfolio of projects and oversaw other project managers as well as the pool of Business Analysts
• I performed all technical pre-sales requirements to assist the sales staff prior to project kick-off
• I also acted as the Product Owner for the scoping and development of software customization projects
• Maintained schedules to meet key milestones at every project phase.
• Improved team efficiency by coaching members on Agile principles and best practices.
• Fostered a continuous improvement mindset within the team through regular reflection sessions and feedback loops.
• Reduced time-to-market for new products through effective backlog management and sprint planning.
• Broke project into epics and implementable user stories.
• Built trust among team members by encouraging open communication channels, resolving conflicts professionally, and promoting collaboration across functions.
• Liaised with product team and development team to help break down requirements.
• Interacted with internal stakeholders as voice of customer.
• Served as the primary liaison between technical teams, business units, and external partners during product development stages.
• Established a customer-centric culture, incorporating user feedback into product development processes.
• Led the creation of detailed user stories to provide clear guidance for development teams.
• Ensured timely product delivery by prioritizing features and coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Attended Agile ceremonies, demos and production proving activities.
• Managed risks and resolved issues promptly, maintaining project momentum and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Enhanced product development by implementing Agile methodologies and practices.

• Manage all types of business, operations, and, implemented in the 'rest of' Africa and associated work required in South Africa, in accordance with sound project management methodologies
• Ensure that the delivery of projects is at the appropriate level of quality, on time and within budget, according to the programme scope and plans;
• Identify and involve specialist staff in projects where appropriate;
• Conceptualize, develop, modify and provide input into project plans;
• Manage dependencies and interfaces between projects in a multi- disciplinary environment;
• Report on progress to stakeholders within the group
• Monitor project activities and resources;
• Implement/maintain quality assurance processes;
• Make improvements, solve problems, or take corrective actions when problems arise;
• Participate in project audits and final project reviews;
• Ensure that project documentation requirements and procedures are in place or create new processes, procedures, project documentation(templates), as and when required;
• Give guidance in Project roll-out planning and monitoring of delivery;
• Facilitate and influence decision-making and recording of project progress end results
• Ensure timeous involvement of stakeholders in critical project decision making;
• Delegate work appropriately and fairly, and monitor performance continuously;
• Establish constructive and effective relationships with project team members, stakeholders and staff

Job Description Essentially the role consisted of the management of all software and hardware changes, projects and other requirements driven by upstream and downstream systems, from end-to end. My specific focus areas were:

• Vodacom IQ – VIQ (a Sybase IQ Data Store)
• XDRRep (Abinitio Mediation Graph- ETL) & an additional server with a GreenPlumb database for data supplied to other third parties
• Agile Project Management (Scrum)
• Release/Change Management
• Software Development Management
• Process Improvement-Scrum/Agile Process implementation
• Risk & Issue Management
• CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
• Business Analysis
• Requirement & Scope Management
• Vendor Management

The main objective of this project was to roll-out the new operating system including managing the delivery of inherent hardware, software and network or back-end system upgrades,
enhancements, replacements, etc., delivered by other projects. The project scope included:

• Active Directory Enhancements
• The use and customization of Microsoft deployment tools and technologies related to automated and remote operating system deployment for upgrading from both XP and
  VISTA Operating Systems on the standard x86 (32-bit) platform to Windows 7 x64 (64-bit platform) as well as the imaging new machines.
• Extensive application testing and scripting - Custom, Web and Business Applications
• Change Management - Communication and Business and Technical Piloting of new technologies
• Manage the project team and project deliverables.
• Liaison with technical teams in terms of Active Directory, WAN, network and desktop hardware, deployment tool-set or infrastructure changes, enhancement, maintenance
  or upgrade was required
• Managed the Microsoft Consultants inputs and assistance in terms of configuration of Microsoft deployment tools and the delivery of a functional specification for same
• Business Requirement Gathering, analysis and interpretation
• Managed the configuration and testing of roll-out
• Provided technical expertise and guidance.
• Provided knowledge transfer to fellow team members.
• Provided regular progress reports to the sponsor and steering committee
• Scope Management and monitoring. Ensured that an impact analysis of any change requests was completed.
• Ensured that change requests with a significant impact on
  the Projects are brought forward to the Steering Committees for resolution.
• Data analysis and project statistics in terms of targets
• Risk and Issue Management
• Creation of all Project Management Lifecycle Documentation, e.g. PID, status reports, closure reports, benefits realization, etc.

Business Desktop Deployment/Operating System Upgrade and Hardware platform upgrade: Windows 7 x64

• Time and attendance
• Contract terminations
• Salary negotiations
• Talent management
• Project Management Functions:
• Developed, managed and coordinated the user and desktop platform migration implementation in conjunction with a few Microsoft consultants, in support of the infrastructure platform migration to 16 new technologies
• Initiate, create and determine the team required, it’s structure and the types of processes it should perform in order to be productive
• Client and user change management and communication
• Managed risks and issues and technical requirements and gaps in operational structures
• Problem management of all coexistence related issues
• Initiated, created, developed and implemented all processes, procedures, systems and knowledge base
• Managed all post-migration support
• Managed back-end migration process and requisite software, services and resources
• Managed technical knowledge base creation and implementation
• Managed issues: technical and change related
• Created, implemented and managed technical training processes and technical requirements
• Devised and implemented automated workflow drivers for assessment and desktop technicians

Job Description Overview

• The main objective of this project was to roll-out the new operating system including managing the delivery of inherent hardware, software and network or back-end system upgrades, enhancements, replacements, etc., delivered by other projects

The project scope included:

• Active Directory Enhancements
• The use and customization of Microsoft deployment tools and technologies related to automated and remote operating system deployment for upgrading from both XP and
• VISTA Operating Systems on the standard x86 (32-bit) platform to Windows 7 x64 (64-bit platform) as well as the imaging new machines
• Extensive application testing and scripting - Custom, Web and Business
• Applications
• Change Management - Communication and Business and Technical
• Piloting of new technologies
• My Duties
• Manage the project team and project deliverables
• Liaison with technical teams in terms of Active Directory, WAN, network and desktop hardware, deployment tool-set or infrastructure changes, enhancement, maintenance or upgrade was required
• Managed the Microsoft Consultants inputs and assistance in terms of configuration of, deployment tools and the delivery of a functional specification for same
• Business Requirement Gathering, analysis and interpretation
• Managed the configuration and testing of roll-out
• Provided technical expertise and guidance
• Provided knowledge transfer to fellow team members
• Provided regular progress reports to the sponsor and steering committee
• Scope Management and monitoring
• Ensured that an impact analysis of any change requests was completed
• Ensured that change requests with a significant impact on the Projects are brought forward to the Steering Committees for resolution
• Data analysis and project statistics in terms of targets
• Risk and Issue Management
• Creation of all Project Management Lifecycle Documentation, e.g
• PID, status reports, closure reports, benefits realization, etc.

• Project Management
• Strategic Business Planning
• Financial Planning & Management
• Business Administration
• Process Creation & Implementation
• Business Development
• Business Analysis
• Line Management
• Production Management
• Web Design
• Solution Design (websites)
• Client Liaison
• Marketing Management (Web & Traditional)

• Project Office Management
• Project Management Process Creator & Owner
• Manage web 2.0 and web-based business application products
• Business Development & Relationship Management
• Quality Management
• PMLC and SDLC owner
• Scope and requirements management
• Website solution development
• Costing and Financial Management
• Managed cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of high-quality digital projects.
• Drove innovation in the company''s approach towards digital projects by identifying opportunities to leverage emerging technologies and trends.
• Reorganized engineering and development staff, as well as technical resources for ongoing projects.
• Aligned project goals with the organization''s overall strategic vision, ensuring that all initiatives contributed meaningfully towards long-term success.
• Championed a culture of continuous improvement within the organization by sharing knowledge about new tools or methods that could enhance productivity across teams.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to gather requirements and establish realistic project goals aligned with business objectives.
• Conducted thorough post-project assessments to identify opportunities for process improvement and increased efficiency in future endeavors.
• Analyzed customer usage patterns of publicly available solutions to detect and prioritize areas in need of future enhancements.

• Define and review internal processes
• Draft standard documentation and templates, for use by Professional Services team, when required
• Responsible for the full Project Management Life Cycle (PMLC), Configuration Management / Control and Programme Admin
• Defined a standardized mechanism and process for configuration management within the BPM program
• Developed, maintained and distributed standards and procedures
• Identified Configurable Items & Maintained Baseline
• Version release control & change control of all configurable items
• Assisted with the development and maintenance of the configuration management plan in the project plan
• Established and implemented configuration items registration procedures
• Proposed and implemented Configuration Items naming and numbering conventions Programme Administration (As per tasks listed in next position, below)
• Implemented risk management strategies to mitigate potential issues and maintain project timelines.
• Oversaw planning, application development, verification and risks involved in software projects.
• Developed, maintained and updated information, policies, standards and guidelines.
• Increased team performance by regularly reviewing progress, providing constructive feedback, and setting attainable goals.
• Championed continuous improvement initiatives within the team, resulting in enhanced work quality over time.
• Facilitated regular status meetings to keep all team members informed on progress updates and address any questions or concerns promptly.
• Streamlined processes for better documentation practices, leading to improved knowledge sharing within the team.

• Support: Functional teams and end users
• On-boarding of new project staff: Training of new staff on Quality Assurance
• Guidelines: PMBok - PMLC & SDLC processes & procedures as tailored for Old Mutual as well as Documentum (DMS) & Planview (Timesheet & costing web application)
• Programme administration and logistical support: to Project Managers
• Programme Manager & Team Resources
• Scope Management: Identified, monitored and reported overall programme scope changes, against project changes that have time, quality or cost implications
• Team dynamics: Managed issues relating to programme teams and other parties, including conflict resolution
• Project Control Documentation: Created/Compiled controls and process related deliverables, as required by the Technology
• Process & Quality Assurance: adherence monitoring of all project work products
• Resource Planning: Ensured effective staff allocation and optimum utilization of these resources
• Project Office controls: Ensured that all project management deliverables met the standards of OMSTA Technology and adhered to the Technology policies and processes
• BI/MIS: Provided the Project Manager and other involved parties with the reports, data and findings in accordance with the primary delivery objectives
• Communication: Ensured that certain controls and measures of running the project are communicated to the relevant parties
• Staff Management: Managed administrative staff and ensured that deliverables were
• Project Finance: Logging, tracking & Reporting
• SDLC deliverables: Support, Monitoring, Tracking and Reporting as well as configuration control
• Timesheet approval: for all project resources, including project managers
• Performance Evaluation & Reviews: Provided inputs for all project resources Overall responsibility for managing the project supporting processes, accountability remained with
• Project Managers.

• Produce Project reports, collate all project status reports and timesheets
• Managing Project documents
• Ensuring all project related documentation is stored in the project directory
• Arrange meetings and events
• Filing of documents, maintain and organize filing of hardcopy documentation
• Coordinate the scheduling of project meetings and client meetings
• Take and type minutes from meetings
• Collating monthly timesheets and invoices
• Tracking project status and reporting to management
• Following up on project tasks
• Compile cost estimates for work, using estimated times and hourly rates
• Act as scribe in Workshops
• Liaise with subcontractors and coordinate access to client site
• Tracking of orders
• Tracking of invoicing and payments
• Perform ad-hoc tasks as and when needed

• Produce Project reports, collate all project status reports and timesheets
• Managing Project documents
• Ensuring all project related documentation is stored in the project directory
• Arrange meetings and events
• Filing of documents, maintain and organize filing of hardcopy documentation
• Coordinate the scheduling of project meetings and client meetings
• Take and type minutes from meetings
• Cataloging, safekeeping and retrieval of project deliverables, documentation and assets
• Collating monthly timesheets and invoices
• Tracking project status and reporting to management
• Following up on project tasks
• Perform ad-hoc tasks as and when needed
• Compile cost estimates for work, using estimated times and hourly rates
• Act as scribe in Joint Application Design sessions

• Conceptualization of project
• Writing of project plan and adaptations thereto, as needed
• Development of an implementation plan and the implementation thereof
• Events management, planning and coordination of Conferences and workshops for 200 people
• (per conference and workshop)
• Research
• Budgeting and Financial Management
• Fund-raising
• Reports to various stakeholders
• Development of a constitution for the independent organization
• Recruitment and selection of staff
• Management of administrative staff
• Development and implementation of administrative office procedures
• Media liaison
• Tracking of project (with the use of MS Project)
• Provincial representative at National Meetings
• Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers, securing quality materials at competitive prices for efficient use of resources.

• Description Assistance to the Director of Institutional Planning and Transformation
• Diary Scheduling
• Coordinating Meetings
• Correspondence
• Travel Arrangements
• Reception and Telephone calls
• Maintaining the departmental Budget
• Assistance to the Transformation Manager
• Diary Scheduling
• Minute Taking
• Coordinating Meetings
• Correspondence
• Travel Arrangements
• Reception and Telephone calls
• Speech Writing
• Data Analysis & Other
• Provide information and statistics in response to information requests by internal and external stakeholders with the use of Cognos Power Play and Impromptu
• Collect data with the use of Cognos Power Play and Impromptu and create graphs in Excel for the
• Institutional Fact Book
• Supply criteria for the development of new cubes in Cognos Power Play as well as ensure the integrity of the data on the cubes
• Minutes for Staff Meetings, Institutional Forum and Institutional Planning
• Committee
• Collect and collate data for the annual Employment Equity
• Report
• Format and edit documents for the departmental web pages
• Maintain the departmental web pages, ensuring its currency and accuracy
• Maintain the departmental skills plan database
• Extract, compile and edit information from Cognos Power Play and Impromptu for the Annual Review
• Report
• Extract and compile information for Strategic and Quality
• Assurance reports
• Assisted in the Development of an application for information requests
• Maintain information request database on OPA
• Duties for Legal Services Department (After Hours) Transcription of Disciplinary Hearings