Tariro Rarayi
Johannesburg
Summary
Results-driven IT leader with over 15 years of experience in Project Management, Application & Systems Support and Networking and Systems Administration. Demonstrated expertise in leading cross-functional teams to deliver medium-to-large-scale projects. Skilled in developing impactful policies, optimizing processes, and driving operational efficiency. Strategic thinker with a strong ability to assess risks and engage stakeholders to achieve project goals. Committed to embracing diversity, fostering innovation, and consistently delivering turnkey solutions throughout the project lifecycle.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
4
4
Certification
Work History
Senior Project Manager
VML
08.2021 - Current
- Deliver projects, from Project initiation through the full project cycle.
- Lead cross-functional teams, locally and in different geographical regions to deliver projects on time and within budget.
- Proactively managed risks raised to ensure project remains on track.
- Implement agile methodologies to enhance project efficiency and team collaboration.
- Utilize project management tools to optimize project planning and resource allocation.
- Drive strategic project initiatives aligned with organizational goals and objectives.
- Mentoring junior project managers to develop their skills and career growth.
- Facilitate remote collaboration using cutting-edge communication technologies.
- Analyze project data to identify trends and improve future project outcomes.
- Adapt project strategies to accommodate emerging technologies and industry shifts.
- Foster stakeholder relationships to ensure alignment and project success.
Assisting in the Chief Operation Office
VML
03.2024 - 12.2024
- Collaborated closely with the COO to ensure a smooth transition during the merger.
- Partnered with the COO to align key organizational initiatives with business goals, optimizing workflows during the merger period.
- Demonstrated strong leadership qualities and adaptability, effectively managing multiple projects as directed by the COO & CEO to ensure a smooth transition.
- Project managed the Campus move project, collaborating with different vendors and stakeholders.
- Assisted during the company’s restructuring process by providing critical support and facilitating communication, helping to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to ongoing operations.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Agile Project Manager
MCI Consultants
01.2017 - 07.2021
- Successfully rebranded and upgraded websites for three major financial institutions, delivering all projects within budget, scope, and timeframe.
- Managing Projects from initiation till project closure, overseeing release planning, stakeholder communication, resource planning and client deliverables.
- Managed concurrent projects while ensuring system stability, managing change requests process and client satisfaction.
- Facilitated post-release improvement initiatives and transitioned projects to ongoing operations teams.
- Identified impediments, oversaw mitigation plans, optimized workflows for productivity.
- Provided hands-on training and post go-live support, assisting business adoption.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
Application Support Analyst
MCI Consultants
08.2016 - 12.2017
- Equipped with analytical abilities and technical acumen to provide efficient solutions aligned to IT and business objectives.
- Maintained strong relationships with stakeholders by providing exceptional service and communication throughout issue resolution process.
- Conducted root cause analysis on recurring incidents to identify opportunities for improvements in application design or support procedures.
- Performed Unit, Integration, System and regression testing.
- Created comprehensive documentation encompassing procedures, standards, best practices, and manuals.
- Demonstrated strengths in:
- Relational databases & associated query construction
- Software testing - regression, integration, UAT
- User training and post deployment support
- Process analysis and refinement
- Confluence knowledge management
Systems Administrator
Filadelfia School
02.2006 - 12.2015
- Administered servers, networks, hardware; reduced outages through monitoring and preventative measures
- Cut IT expenses 40% by eliminating waste in upgrade cycles and inventory management.
- Developed network infrastructure for 80% Internet penetration to enable organizational adoption.
- Instituted ICT training programs and boosted digital literacy for 400+ learners and staff.
- Created and implemented policies to govern IT practices across the organization.
- Maintained robust access controls, account security, and privileges.
- Documented IT activities to streamline issue resolution, decrease support tickets.
- Resolved escalated help desk tickets promptly, providing high-quality support to end users experiencing technical issues.
- Assisted in the onboarding process of new employees by setting up workstations, provisioning accounts, and providing initial IT training as necessary.
- Tested software remotely and onsite for server sets to maintain operational readiness.
Education
Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) -
Quantic School of Business And Technology
08-2023
B. COM. Honours - Business Informatics
UNISA
05-2020
B.Sc. - Informatics
UNISA
10-2015
Diploma - Information Technology
Belgium IT Campus
05-2006
Skills
- Project planning, execution and monitoring
- Scheduling optimization and planning
- Financial budget oversight
- Detailed risk assessment
- Analytical problem solving
- Quick decision making
- Clear interpersonal communication
- Operational efficiency improvement
- Collaborative stakeholder communication
- Reporting & Analysis
Accomplishments
- At VML, appointed Project Manager to rescue a failing project. Initiated a comprehensive review of critical issues, subsequently establishing a collaborative working agreement with the team. Implemented targeted processes to address non-delivery challenges, resulting in improved project performance. Successfully cultivated strong stakeholder relationships, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to project success.
- Increased team velocity by 20% through implementing knowledge-sharing programs and streamlining development workflows.
- At VML, during the restructuring process, served in the COO's office to provide critical support for the transition and office relocation project. Successfully contributed to a seamless transition, ensuring minimal disruption and a positive outcome for the organization.
- At Filadelfia, spearheaded a comprehensive overhaul of IT asset management, implementing improved computer disposal procedures, a robust inventory tracking database, and comprehensive IT inventory management policies. These initiatives resulted in a significant 40% reduction in the IT expenditure budget.
- At Filadelfia, initiated and led the Computer and Internet Literacy program, demonstrably improving the IT proficiency of both learners and educators by 35%.
Certification
- Project Management Professional – (PMP) – PMI (In progress)
- Certified Scrum Master- (CSM)- Scrum Alliance
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals – Microsoft
- Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals – Microsoft
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 – Microsoft
- Microsoft Data Fundamentals – Microsoft
- Data Analysis Short Course - University of Cape Town
- Security+, Network+ Certifications - CompTIA
References
Available upon request as contact details may have changed over the years.
Timeline
Assisting in the Chief Operation Office
VML
03.2024 - 12.2024
Senior Project Manager
VML
08.2021 - Current
Agile Project Manager
MCI Consultants
01.2017 - 07.2021
Application Support Analyst
MCI Consultants
08.2016 - 12.2017
Systems Administrator
Filadelfia School
02.2006 - 12.2015
Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) -
Quantic School of Business And Technology
B. COM. Honours - Business Informatics
UNISA
B.Sc. - Informatics
UNISA
Diploma - Information Technology
Belgium IT Campus
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