PAULA THURNHAM
122 Rob Roy Lane, Wanaka · --
I have over 18 years experience in business analysis, technical operations and project
management. I have spent the last five years using my skills to help small businesses and
start-ups develop better systems by leveraging technology and automation to help them
deliver their vision. I love working in a virtual environment and have proven success in
managing remote teams on a global scale. I have a passion for technical innovation and
systems automation and I get very excited about developments in this field. My background
in technical operations also means that I understand the importance of sound delivery and
reporting processes as well as robust risk management for the success of product
development and the stability of the wider infrastructure as whole.
If you have any questions about my skills or experience, I would love to discuss them you
further via phone or video call.
EXPERIENCE
JUN 2017 – PRESENT
LEAD TECHINCAL PROJECT MANAGER, MOCEANIC
FUNDRAISING (NZ BASED, GLOBAL TEAM)
Working as the technical point of reference for a 5 person start up, providing online
training and coaching products to international fundraisers and nonprofits, my role
as Project Manager is responsible for the development and delivery of all student
training products across our learning management site and ecommerce platforms, as
well as overseeing the digital marketing automation and delivery and all technical
development activity. I am also responsible for infrastructure management, change
control and IT strategy. I manage an international team of contracted developers and
creatives from my home office in Wanaka.
FEB 2015 – JUN 2017
BUSINESS ANALYST/PROJECT MANAGER, LOVE MONDAY
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS - SELF EMPLOYED CONSULTANT
(NZ/AUS)
IT/Business Consultant, specializing in business analysis, process improvement and
implementation of IT solutions and procedural change across various sectors. Tailored
to small business, I provide project management, process re-engineering and
technical consulting on individual implementations/ migrations on project by project
basis. I also offer ongoing, outsourced IT systems management.
JAN 2013 – FEB 2015
IT & ECOMMERCE MANAGER, 47FROCKS (NZ)
Responsible for the IT support across two retails sites and the management and
development of the Ecommerce product.
OCT 2010 – JAN 2013
ADMIN MANAGER, WANAKA MEDICAL CENTER (NZ)
Managing the administrative functions and systems required to run the medical
center. Also responsible for the recruitment, training and ongoing development of 6
direct reports in the front-line reception and admin team.
JAN 2008 – OCT 2010
HR MANAGER, PLACEMAKERS WANAKA (NZ)
Implementing and managing HR systems and procedures for the Wanaka branch of
Placemakers.
OCT 2004 – MAY 2007
IT PROJECT MANAGER, NEWCASTLE PERMANENT BUILDING
SOCIETY (AUS)
Responsible for Managing IT Development Projects within the Building Society.
Produce detailed & accurate documentation. Directly manage and mentor project
teams. Deliver Projects within acceptable timeframes and budgets. Manage
critical issues to a successful solution. Monitor project costs and forecasts, taking
corrective actions to ensure that the approved budget was not exceeded. Ensure
that all relevant legal/compliance sign-offs and referrals are achieved for new or
modified processes, procedures. Maintain an up to date knowledge of Project
Management best practice, PMP framework.
MAR 2003 – OCT 2004
BUSINESS ANALYST, SELF EMPLOYED CONSULTANT (AUS)
Facilitate workshops and requirements gathering sessions for clients and
documents outcomes. Review existing processes and procedure and suggest
improvements and efficiency gains where required. Document current and
proposed processes, procedures and systems. Communicate with all stakeholders
and levels of the business to ensure a full understand of the issues at hand.
Provide input to business requirements documentation and post implementation
reviews. Produce cost benefit analysis and feasibility studies.
NOV 2001 – FEB 2003
OPERATIONS IMPLEMENTATION MANAGER, ORANGE (UK)
Maintaining the operational stability of the company infrastructure by
managing the implementation of 5000+ technical changes per month. Ensuring
that every technical change has an implementation plan, detailing regression
strategy, support arrangements and post implementation testing. Produce
detailed and comprehensive Implementation Plans for high risk changes to
ensure consistent work practices and reduce risk.
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SEPT 2000 – NOV 2001
PROJECT MANAGER, ORANGE (UK)
Deliver Projects within acceptable timeframes and budgets. Ensure that
project resources are coordinated towards meeting business objectives. Assess
impact of proposed projects with in other divisions, on our staff, processes and
systems.
OCT 1999 – SEP 2000
BUSINESS ANALYST/PROJECT COORDINATOR, ORANGE (UK)
Facilitate workshops and requirements gathering sessions within the business
unit and documents outcomes. Review current process and procedure and suggest
improvements and efficiency gains where required. Document current and
proposed processes, procedures and systems. Communicate with all stakeholders
and levels of the business to ensure a full understand of the issues at hand.
Provide input to business requirements documentation and post implementation
reviews. Produce cost benefit analysis and feasibility studies.
EDUCATION
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
JUN 2006
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL (PMP), (LAPSED –
RENEWING IN 2019)
JAN 2003
PRINCE2 PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTITIONER (LAPSED)
OCT 2002
PRINCE2 PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION
AUG 2002
ITIL SERVICE MANAGEMENT INTERMEDIATE (CHANGE
MANAGEMENT FOCUS)
JUN 2002
ITIL SERVICE MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION
A-LEVELS COMPLETED AT:
LONGBENTON COMMUNITY COLLLEGE - UK
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MEMBERSHIPS
MEMBER OF INTERNATIONAL
INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS ANALYSIS
(IIBA)
MEMBER OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT
INSTITUTE (NZ CHAPTER)
SKILLS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
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PRINCE II & PMP Methodologies
AGILE (Scrum) Methodologies
Product Development & Design
Cross Department Communication
Budget & Cost Benefits
Planning & Scheduling Multiple Projects
and Resources
Managing Remote Teams
Operational Release Management
System Testing & UAT
Reporting
Risk Management (ITIL)
Incident Management (ITIL)
Change Management (ITIL)
System Architecture Planning
BUSINESS ANALYSIS
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Financial Analysis
Workflow Mapping
Systems Audit
Process Design
Requirements Gathering
Technical Documentation
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
DEC 2013 - JAN 2016
ORGANISATION: ROYAL NEW ZEALAND PLUNKET
SOCIETY (UPPER CLUTHA BRANCH)
POSITION HELD: PRESIDENT
MAR 2015 - OCT 2015
ORGANISATION: WANAKAFEST COMMUNITY TRUST
POSITION HELD: GRANTS & FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR,
LICENSING, RESOURCE CONSENTS AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT
PLANNING
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