Pearlman Sipho Mkhwanazi
IT Director
Durban
Summary
Senior-level IT Executive with 18 years of complex program management and product development experience to support IT operations. Background in successful IT implementation and presentation to key stakeholders. Successfully coordinates project work to mitigate risks and solve technical issues while providing IT budget oversight. Tech savvy Information Technology Executive with strong background in life-cycle and information technology project management methodologies. Skilled in senior-level metrics reporting to support and integrate divergent data sources and monitor performance strategy. Leverages extensive network infrastructure and process knowledge to meet operational goals.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
IT Director
South African Police Service: Provincial Office: KwaZulu-Natal
Durban
08.2022 - Current
- Managed life cycle replacement of hardware and software.
- Analyzed network security and current infrastructure, assessing areas in need of improvement.
- Led technical upgrade projects for clients by working and coordinating with consultants and developers for integrations.
- Coordinated secure system access of users to various department systems and platforms.
- Oversaw development and implementation of improvements to support network operations.
- Liaised with other departments to minimize network interruptions and possible downtimes.
- Wrote strategic business plans outlining need for departmental information technology resources.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Developed strong communication and organizational skills through working on group projects.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Guided testing process and validation for major software releases.
- Supervised multi-functional teams of technology professionals, coders and support experts.
- Polled department heads to assess current and projected IT needs.
- Designed internal dashboard for at-a-glance system and project status reporting.
- Led agile teams to deliver products quickly and to respond to user requirements.
- Tracked departmental expenditures, project schedules and team performance and progress.
- Groomed team talents through robust professional development program and training opportunities.
- Resolved workflow issues to optimize team productivity and improve delivery times.
- Determined best methods for IT to support key business objectives.
- Evaluated IT capital budget to measure and monitor fixed asset proposals.
- Assessed business requirements to forecast annual budgetary operational costs.
- Aligned IT solutions and deliverables with company strategic vision.
- Established positive relationships with industry leaders to gain insight into innovations and trends.
- Analyzed financial investment in IT systems, potential return on investment and impact on productivity.
- Created long-range IT plan to support projected growth and requirements for added capacity.
- Reported monthly to senior executive team on budget, in-flight initiatives and upcoming projects.
- Worked closely with vendors and technology partners on integrations, infrastructure and enterprise solutions.
- Built IT infrastructure to support key business strategies and evolving processes.
IT Director
South African Police Service: Provincial Office: Mpumalanga
Nelspruit
09.2021 - 07.2022
- Managed network and system performance, conducting troubleshooting, security patching, and maintenance.
- Oversaw IT department operations and training.
- Developed and implemented measures and procedures to protect IT systems from cyber threats and data breaches.
- Coordinated technical training and personal development classes for staff members.
- Customized and repaired technology based on staff requests.
- Coordinated IT operations activities to deliver smooth flow of daily business needs.
- Led technology selection and rollout, focusing on organizational planning and supplier service-level agreements.
- Demonstrated familiarity with latest hardware, software and networking technology.
- Oversaw daily performance of computer systems and immediately responded to issues to keep network up and running.
- Collaborated with other departments to help meet IT needs and properly integrate and secure systems.
- Conferred with executives to advise and plan for short-term and long-term IT system upgrade needs.
- Communicated with executive team and CEO to maximize development efficiencies and resolve technology issues.
- Understood key product management roadmap objectives and requirements to develop product technology strategy.
- Assisted in development of long-term strategies to grow department and resources.
- Built, repaired and installed computer-related hardware based on deployment procedures.
- Interacted and negotiated with vendors, outsourcers and contractors to secure products and services.
- Updated customers and senior leaders on progress and roadblocks.
- Guided organizational technology strategy and roadmaps.
- Managed life cycle replacement of hardware and software.
- Identified computer hardware and network system issues, performing troubleshooting techniques for remediation.
- Analyzed network security and current infrastructure, assessing areas in need of improvement.
- Communicated regularly with customers concerning data exchange and technology integration.
- Oversaw development and implementation of improvements to support network operations.
- Wrote strategic business plans outlining need for departmental information technology resources.
- Implemented and maintained technology and software budget.
- Coordinated secure system access of users to various department systems and platforms.
- Liaised with other departments to minimize network interruptions and possible downtimes.
- Led technical upgrade projects for clients by working and coordinating with consultants and developers for integrations.
IT Manager
South African Police Service: National Head Office
Pretoria
06.2011 - 08.2020
- Participated in internal audits regarding quality management system.
- Researched and adopted new technologies to add value to existing offerings.
- Assessed business requirements to create focused solutions.
- Provided recommendations regarding new hardware and software to keep IT infrastructure up to date.
- Monitored employee tasks to gauge business functions and inefficiencies.
- Presented business leaders with ROI estimations to drive project planning.
- Investigated system issues and implemented resolutions to reduce downtime.
- Reviewed technical work of consultants and third-party support providers.
- Developed diagrams to describe and lay out logical operational steps.
- Organized system operating procedures to strengthen controls.
- Re-engineered existing computer systems to promote ease-of-use and improve system security.
- Collaborated with upper management to drive strategy and implement new processes.
- Communicated and explained business requirements to team members to understand and implement functional demands.
- Troubleshot incidents reported by end-users to schedule system changes and identify permanent solutions.
- Performed internal system acceptance to deliver well-tested enhancements and meet business requirements.
- Analyzed existing systems and databases and recommended enhancements to solve business needs
- Oversaw document development across project workstreams to create internal control statements per compliance and regulatory standards.
- Enhanced project management skills by defining and presenting system solutions and timelines for business needs or technical problems.
- Led technical upgrade projects for clients by working and coordinating with consultants and developers for integrations.
- Liaised with other departments to minimize network interruptions and possible downtimes.
- Coordinated secure system access of users to various department systems and platforms.
- Analyzed network security and current infrastructure, assessing areas in need of improvement.
- Oversaw development and implementation of improvements to support network operations.
- Wrote strategic business plans outlining need for departmental information technology resources.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Supervised multi-functional teams of technology professionals, coders and support experts.
- Polled department heads to assess current and projected IT needs.
- Led agile teams to deliver products quickly and to respond to user requirements.
- Tracked departmental expenditures, project schedules and team performance and progress.
- Groomed team talents through robust professional development program and training opportunities.
- Resolved workflow issues to optimize team productivity and improve delivery times.
- Determined best methods for IT to support key business objectives.
- Evaluated IT capital budget to measure and monitor fixed asset proposals.
- Assessed business requirements to forecast annual budgetary operational costs.
- Aligned IT solutions and deliverables with company strategic vision.
- Established positive relationships with industry leaders to gain insight into innovations and trends.
- Analyzed financial investment in IT systems, potential return on investment and impact on productivity.
- Created long-range IT plan to support projected growth and requirements for added capacity.
- Reported monthly to senior executive team on budget, in-flight initiatives and upcoming projects.
- Worked closely with vendors and technology partners on integrations, infrastructure and enterprise solutions.
- Built IT infrastructure to support key business strategies and evolving processes.
- Developed project management roadmap to define project objectives, timelines and milestones.
- Organized internal audits and led efforts to determine and remedy deficiencies.
- Proposed and implemented system enhancements to improve performance and reliability of storage environment.
- Developed project plans identifying key issues, approaches and performance metrics.
- Led and managed staff or team members engaged in administering complex IT infrastructure.
- Designed, documented and executed system upgrades and patch management using update manager.
- Developed and initiated projects, managed costs, and monitored performance.
- Managed projects from procurement to commission.
- Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives.
- Achieved project deadlines by coordinating with contractors to manage performance.
- Provided detailed project status updates to stakeholders and executive management.
- Coordinated material procurement and required services for projects within budget requirements.
- Developed and implemented strategic project plans to meet business objectives.
- Prepared and submitted project invoices for review and approval.
- Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
- Provided detailed technical and operational direction in project challenges, consistently meeting deliverables according to deadlines.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
- Drafted project reports to identify successful outcomes, insights and future recommendations.
- Negotiated and managed third-party contracts related to project deliverables.
Education
B Com in Information And Technology Management - Information Technology Management
Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA)
Durban, South Africa 02.2014 - 04.2017
Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management (NQF 8) - Project Management
Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA)
Durban, South Africa 02.2017 - 10.2018
Cert. in ITIL - Information Technology
Management College of Southern Africa
Durban, South Africa 02.2020 - 09.2020
MBA -
Management College of Southern Africa
Durban, South Africa 01.2023 - Current
Skills
Budget administration
Requirements analysis
Multitasking Abilities
Teamwork and Collaboration
Planning and Coordination
Analytical and Critical Thinking
Written Communication
Project lifecycle management
Timeline
MBA -
Management College of Southern Africa
01.2023 - Current
IT Director
South African Police Service: Provincial Office: KwaZulu-Natal
08.2022 - Current
IT Director
South African Police Service: Provincial Office: Mpumalanga
09.2021 - 07.2022
Cert. in ITIL - Information Technology
Management College of Southern Africa
02.2020 - 09.2020
Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management (NQF 8) - Project Management
Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA)
02.2017 - 10.2018
B Com in Information And Technology Management - Information Technology Management
Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA)
02.2014 - 04.2017
IT Manager
South African Police Service: National Head Office
06.2011 - 08.2020