Darren McNeill
Senior IT Project Manager
Solihull
Summary
Seasoned senior project manager with over two decades of experience leading complex UK and international IT and application development projects. Skilled in Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall methodologies, adept at managing cross-functional teams, defining project scope, and delivering high-quality infrastructure and software solutions on time and within budget. Known for fostering collaborative, high-performing teams and aligning technical delivery with strategic business goals. Proven track record of driving innovation, mitigating risks, and delivering measurable results across diverse sectors. Excellent time management skills combined with superior knowledge of the customer service industry. Ready to bring expertise to the next team.
Open to working within the UK and Overseas.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Project Manager - Contact
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Services
03.2018 - 07.2025
- Company Overview: A global provider of integrated, secure services supporting diplomacy, development, and defence for the UK government, as well as foreign governments and international organisations closely aligned with the UK.
- Successfully led multiple infrastructure and application development projects concurrently, leveraging both on-premises and Azure public cloud technologies.
- Directed cross-functional teams of 45+ professionals, including developers, designers, testers, network architects and engineers, technical architects and desktop engineer, database engineers, service architects and engineers, security architects and engineers and business analysts.
- Defined project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders, ensuring alignment and clarity across all phases.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive project plans covering timelines, resource allocation, and budgets using tools such as Microsoft Project, MSPOL, ServiceNow, and SharePoint.
- Championed Agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban), facilitating sprint planning, daily stand-ups, reviews, and retrospectives to drive iterative delivery and continuous improvement.
- Proactively identified and mitigated project risks and issues, escalating when necessary to maintain momentum and stakeholder confidence.
- Managed project budgets tracked team time bookings and expenses and ensured delivery within financial constraints.
- Oversaw quality assurance processes, collaborating with testing teams to uphold high standards in application delivery.
- Communicated project status, risks, and milestones to stakeholders and senior leadership, including board-level reporting.
- Successfully delivered the Proviso Global Visa Application Upgrade Programme, spanning 3 UK and 6 overseas posts, over a 24-month timeline with a managed budget of £3.3 million.
- A global provider of integrated, secure services supporting diplomacy, development, and defence for the UK government, as well as foreign governments and international organisations closely aligned with the UK.
Senior IT Project Manager – Contract
BAE Systems plc
02.2016 - 12.2017
- Led the successful implementation of a global commercial network across multiple international offices, including the UK, Abu Dhabi, Oman, India, Malaysia, and Egypt.
- Managed end-to-end delivery of a global network infrastructure project supporting 310+ user base.
- Migration of users, applications, databases, and ERP systems.
- Procurement, configuration, installation, and support of network switching infrastructure.
- Oversaw the decommissioning of a legacy commercial network serving 900+ users, ensuring minimal disruption and full compliance.
- Delivered the project within a budget of £550,000, maintaining cost control and quality standards throughout.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams and vendors across multiple time zones, ensuring seamless execution and communication.
Senior IT Project Manager – Contract
BAE Systems plc
01.2012 - 12.2015
- Company Overview: A British multinational defence, security, and aerospace company with global operations.
- Accountable for the end-to-end management of complex, high-impact business change initiatives, reporting directly to Directors and Board members.
- Spearheaded a strategic project supporting the EITS ‘myIT Vision’ initiative, enhancing internal service processes for UK staff via the myIT information tool which resulted in potential IT cost savings of up to £5 million.
- Managed a budget of £540,000.
- Led the Information Management / DCRD Programme to improve document management, corporate collaboration, and legal compliance.
- Managed a budget of £582,000.
- A British multinational defence, security, and aerospace company with global operations.
IT Project Manager – Contract
CSC at BAE Systems
12.2007 - 12.2011
- Company Overview: CSC (now DXC Technology) provided consulting and IT services to major UK organisations, including BAE Systems.
- Delivered major IT projects for BAE Systems, focusing on infrastructure, governance, and international alignment.
- Led the alignment of IT capabilities in South Africa, implementing a centralised governance model and IS platform to separate in-country IPR and data from enterprise-wide assets.
- Project budget: £1.5 million.
- Successfully delivered a large-scale WAN, LAN, and server infrastructure project, including full staff relocations.
- Negotiated scope, secured stakeholder sponsorship, and managed delivery across multiple business units.
- CSC (now DXC Technology) provided consulting and IT services to major UK organisations, including BAE Systems.
IT Project Manager – Permanent
Serco Group
06.2002 - 10.2007
- Company Overview: A British outsourcing company operating across public and private sectors globally.
- Led full lifecycle IT projects across Oman, UAE, Gibraltar, and the UK, ensuring delivery within scope, time, and budget.
- Managed complex project activities including planning, execution, stakeholder engagement, and quality assurance.
- Delivered mission-critical solutions in sectors such as transport, defence, and public services, supporting Serco’s global operations.
- A British outsourcing company operating across public and private sectors globally.
Education
BTEC National Diploma -
Computer Studies
Skills
Portfolio / Programme Management
Project Management
Budget Management
Quality Assurance
Project Management Methodologies
Stakeholder Management
Software Development Lifecycle
Technical Understanding
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Risk Management
Testing Strategy Design and Management
ITIL / IT Services Management
Problem-Solving & Decision Making
Team Leadership
Resource Planning / Allocation
Contract Renewal Bids / Proposals
PMO / Governance / Best Practice
Leadership / Mentoring / Motivating
Project planning
Client relationship management
Scope management
Project scheduling
Cross-functional communication
Agile methodology
Financial administration
Client relations
Cost control
Project framework engineering
Cross-functional coordination
Multi-project management
Project goals and milestones
Project management
Problem-solving
Teamwork and collaboration
Decision-making
Performance monitoring
Work Planning and Prioritization
Organizational skills
Technical monitoring
Client liaison
Documentation management
Requirements gathering
Meeting participation
Quality control
KPI tracking
Project plan development
Qualifications And Training
- BTEC National Diploma – Computer Studies
- PRINCE2 Certification – Project Management / Project Management Fundamentals
- Project Management Accreditation Scheme – Based on PRINCE2
- ITIL Foundation Certification
- PPSO Foundation Certification
- Professional Skills Training: Presenting with Impact, Managing Effectively, Negotiation Skills (Levels 1 and 2)
Security Clearance
SC Level
Security Clearance Expiration
03/23/27
Previous Roles
- Senior IT Project Manager – Rolls Royce
- LANDesk Consultant - NATS (National Air Traffic Services)
- 2nd and 3rd Line Support Engineer - National Grid
- 2nd Line Support Engineer - British Airways
- 2nd Line Support Engineer - HFC Bank and Henry Anbacker
- 2nd Line Support Engineer - Siemens
- 1st Line Support Engineer - Cellnet
Accomplishments
BAE Systems Chairman’s Bronze Award – Recipient on two occasions
Recognised for outstanding project delivery and excellence in programme execution across high-impact initiatives.
Golf, Squash, Racket ball, Table tennis, Paddle tennis, walking and meeting up with friends
Golf, Squash, Racket ball, Table tennis, Paddle tennis, walking and meeting up with friends
Timeline
Senior Project Manager - Contact
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Services
03.2018 - 07.2025
Senior IT Project Manager – Contract
BAE Systems plc
02.2016 - 12.2017
Senior IT Project Manager – Contract
BAE Systems plc
01.2012 - 12.2015
IT Project Manager – Contract
CSC at BAE Systems
12.2007 - 12.2011
IT Project Manager – Permanent
Serco Group
06.2002 - 10.2007
BTEC National Diploma -
Computer Studies