Aaron A Smith
Project Manager
Redhill / Surrey / England |-| -
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-ankrah-smith-b
Summary
Experienced Project Manager with over a ten years of delivering high-impact change projects, including digital transformations, process improvements, and large-scale organisational changes. Proficient in managing complex change initiatives from outcome definition to delivery and benefits realisation, ensuring alignment with business objectives. Skilled in stakeholder management, risk mitigation, and data-driven decision-making. Adept at using Agile and Waterfall methodologies to deliver projects on time, within scope, and on budget. A proactive leader with strong communication skills and the ability to inspire and lead cross-functional teams towards successful change outcomes.
Experience
Project Manager , Jun 2021 - Aug 2024
ASA Project Bureau
Led the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple change projects, ensuring alignment with strategic business goals and stakeholder expectations.
Managed end-to-end project delivery, from business case development to benefits realisation, ensuring projects met objectives and delivered measurable outcomes.
Worked closely with senior leadership to define project outcomes, scope, and success criteria, using data-driven methods to track progress and adjust strategies when necessary.
Successfully managed stakeholder relationships across diverse teams, ensuring effective collaboration and timely delivery of project milestones.
Delivered digital transformation projects, such as the redesign of a corporate website, applying Agile methodologies to enhance user experience and customer engagement.
Conducted post-project evaluations to identify areas for improvement, driving continuous process improvements for future projects.
Project Manager, Jun 2014 - Dec 2020
APM
Crafted and executed detailed project plans, outlining scope, objectives, and key deliverables.
Undertook comprehensive risk assessments and feasibility studies.
Directed and nurtured high-performing cross-functional teams, promoting collaboration and accountability.
Negotiated and maintained relationships with vendors, contractors, and service providers.
Enforced quality assurance protocols to ensure project deliverables met or exceeded expectations.
Consistently monitored and reported project progress against key performance indicators.
Leveraged Jira for workflow creation, issue tracking, and task prioritization.
Adopted agile methodologies to boost project adaptability and flexibility.
Associate Project Manager, Apr 2009 - Dec 2014
ACC Ltd
Assisted in managing the successful relocation of a major office, overseeing IT infrastructure, from planning through to execution.
Developed and maintained detailed project plans and timelines, ensuring all key activities were completed on schedule and within budget.
Supported the management of project budgets, achieving a 10% cost reduction through effective cost control measures.
Worked closely with stakeholders to identify and address risks, ensuring a smooth transition and minimising disruption to business operations.
Key Skills
Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking to identify challenges, evaluate solutions, and implement effective strategies while managing risks to ensure project success.
Leadership: Proven leadership skills to inspire and motivate teams, delegate tasks based on expertise, and make informed decisions that drive project objectives while maintaining team morale.
Collaboration & Teamwork: Strong focus on fostering collaboration within teams through open communication, trust-building, and utilizing team-based platforms such as Slack or Microsoft Teams to enhance efficiency and creative problem-solving.
Stakeholder Management: Expertise in building and maintaining strong relationships with senior leadership, teams, and external partners to ensure smooth project delivery and alignment with business goals.
Change Management: Proven ability to manage and drive change across processes, technology, and culture to meet new business objectives. Skilled in change control and ensuring projects deliver measurable benefits.
Project Planning & Delivery: Comprehensive experience in leading end-to-end project delivery, from scope definition to post-project evaluation and continuous improvement.
Benefits Realisation: Strong understanding of defining and quantifying business benefits, ensuring that projects meet financial targets and deliver sustainable outcomes.
Agile & Waterfall Methodologies: Expertise in both Agile and Waterfall project management, ensuring the right approach is applied to each project depending on its scope and complexity.
Financial & Budget Management: Skilled in budget planning, tracking expenses, and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget, with a focus on achieving cost savings and financial targets.
Communication & Leadership: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex ideas clearly to diverse stakeholders, and proven leadership in guiding cross-functional teams to success.
Education & Professional Certification
Master of Science in Project Management
University of Paisley, Jul 2013
Diploma in Project Management
Oxford College ODL, 2010
Diploma in Information Systems
Alison College January 2025
Certifications
Prince2 Certified – Axelos Global (2014 – Present)
Scrum Master Certified – The Knowledge Academy (2021 – Present)
ITIL 4 Foundation Certified – Axelos Global (2021 – Present)
Lean Six Sigma White Belt (ICYB) – Six Sigma Society (2022 – Present)
Accomplishments
Coordinated and executed multiple large-scale projects, delivering on time and within budget while exceeding stakeholder expectations.
Led office relocation projects, ensuring seamless transitions of IT infrastructure with minimal disruption.
Increased website traffic by 35% within six months by implementing a comprehensive SEO strategy, optimizing content for keywords, and enhancing user experience through improved site navigation and interactive design features.
Reduced project completion time by 20% by streamlining workflows, implementing Agile practices, and automating key processes, which improved team efficiency and accelerated deliverables."
Other Details
British Citizen | Full Clean Driving License | Proficiency in French and Spanish | Associate Member of APM No: P-
