URSULA JAMES

Mississauga, ON L5C 2W8

905-848-0940 / 416-885-0940 ujames13@gmail.com

SENIOR FINANCE & PROJECT MANAGEME NT

A N A L Y T I C S D A T A , D E M A N D , T R E N D & C O S T B E N E F I T A N A L Y S I S R E P O R T I N G F O R E C A S T I N G

Resourceful, solutions-focused professional with distinguished career in supporting leadership and cross functional teams
with analytics, project management solutions, and financial acumen delivering excellence in streamlining operations and
process improvement. Proven record of achievement in identifying and leveraging opportunities for improvements across
processes, operations, tools, and controls. Finely honed leadership, relationship-building, organizational, interpersonal,
negotiation, communication, technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Collaborative and innovative; capable of
managing complete project life cycle elements from conception to launch. Core Competencies:

Financial, Management Reporting

Financial Planning & Analysis
Credit Risk Management
Cash Flow Management
Project Status, Tracking

Performance Management
Performance Turn-Arounds
Business Forecasting
Budget Control, Analysis
Technology Deployment

Leadership, Training & Mentoring

System & Process Improvements
Project Life-Cycle Management
Cost-Reduction Initiatives
Change & Transformation

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Exhibited demonstrated expertise in leading complex cross-functional projects and programs with a focus on business
process re-design and systems implementation within defined cost, budget and quality parameters; using financial,
analytical, project management methodology, disciplines and controls.
Transformed financial and business departments, eliminating redundant processes, streamlining workflow, and
instituting cost-saving efficiencies by leveraging sharp analytics and reporting acumen.
Successfully automated the funding request process for Canadian Tire, serving as SME (Subject Matter Expert) for this
$1-3M project.
Pioneered the automation of personal credit for TD Bank a multi-million dollar, 2-year initiative with leadership of
requirements gathering, status, reporting, testing and execution.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Unique ability to identify, recommend, implement, and support cost-effective technology and business solutions.
THE GROUP MPP, Oakville, ON
A Canadian start-up in the film production and promotion industry.

2014-Present

Manager, Finance & Reporting

Reporting to the President, accountable for the analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of financial information for senior
management and key stakeholders. Facilitate decision-making processes by delivering precise reports on market conditions,
commodities deals, forecasting, and financial picture. Oversee planning, accounting, and reporting functions. Work with and
advise company leaders by providing the financial information needed to develop successful strategies. Playing an active role
in the planning activities to successfully get the office off the ground as Canadian start-up.

Conceived, planned, and launched spreadsheets that provided comprehensive feedback on various commodities;
financial and cash flow metrics. Serve as go-to for all accounting, reporting, analytics, and forecasting functions.

CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, Toronto, ON

A growing network of interrelated businesses with 1100+ general merchandise and apparel retail stores.

1999-2014

Manager, Enterprise Project Management Office (2013-2014)

Progressed through numerous roles of increasing authority to directly lead a team of 10 reports in support of 80+ project
managers nationwide representing 18 delivery groups. Held accountability for a budget of $155M+.

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Professional Experience Continued
Served as SME on project planning, funding, coordination, execution, and delivery. Served as go-to for resource allocation
and strategic planning processes; benchmarked and formalized numerous processes. Directed the biweekly agenda for senior
management project governance council; attended council meetings and prepared minutes and monitored follow-up of
project funding submissions. Conducted performance management for 3 resources, with training, mentoring, coaching and
general leadership. Partnered with project management teams to provide excellence in data analytics, risk mitigation,
process automation, and milestone reporting.

Instituted a 1-page financial summary that served as a quick snapshot of project performance, cash flow, funding
outlooks, and key data elements; subsequently automated function realizing tremendous efficiencies, cost savings.
Ushered process compliance in regards to project funding verifying key data elements and documents were
presented in support of the individual requests at designated funding gates.
Formalized Single Point of Contact (SPOC) roles to support the Delivery Groups to secure funding at various
milestones of project lifecycle; trained staff and showcased intricacies of accurate reporting and analysis.
Formulated and oversaw project status, budget positions, and IT portfolio dashboard during project life-cycle.
Created comprehensive reports to stay abreast of status, functions, processes, and stakeholder requirements.

Senior Specialist, Enterprise Project Management Office (2011-2013)

PMO Specialist, IT Project Office (2010-2011)
Promoted to establish a gating process for funding request submissions within the project lifecycle, progressing to
championing the development of the enterprise-wide Project Status Database. Defined milestones, documentation,
templates, forms, and summaries. Launched and integrated monthly IT project scorecard, status report compilation and
budget reconciliation functions.

Conceived and implemented a 1-page funding summary template for all project funding submissions.
Directed IT project budget for each portfolio with leadership of forecast reporting, scorecard, and project
documentation governance.

IT Project Support Analyst (1999 2010)

Consulted on various IT projects administering IT portfolio status and progression, strategic planning, budget control, and
reporting. Meticulously compiled various projects data within a major multi-million dollar program, seamlessly integrated
into an overall program scorecard, and various financial and status reports.

Leveraged strong quantitative and analytical skills, with acute attention to detail and client focus.
Recipient of recognition by executive leadership for reporting of a multi-million dollar Customerlink program.
Fostered reputation for negotiation, conflict resolution and developing high-revenue generating operations.

Early Career: Prior to 1999, worked at TD Bank as Assistant Manager of Visa Operations, Systems Development Auditor,
Operations Analyst, Employee Loans Officer, and Securities Officer.
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

BACHELOR OF MATHEMATICS, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON

CERTIFICATE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON
Training & Development:
Canadian Securities Course (Honours), Canadian Securities Institute, Toronto, ON
AGILE Smart Project Methodology; Joint Application Management (JAM) Project Planning;
Critical Thinking Skills; Structured Presentation Skills
PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC AFFILIATIONS

Active Community Volunteer, former engagements include:

Why We Can Committee Mississauga Minor Basketball Association
Erindale Lions Little League Baseball Association School Parent Advisory Committees