Tessa Schutte

• Lead delivery of enterprise data transformation and classification programmes for global clients, focused on improving data quality, governance, and business usability.
• Manage end-to-end delivery of product and MRO data transformation programmes.
• Oversee data classification (UNSPSC), enrichment, and standardisation initiatives.
• Implement data governance frameworks to ensure long-term data integrity.
• Drive data cleansing and enhancement processes, improving data reliability and usability.
• Deliver SAP-ready and analytics-ready datasets for enterprise use.
• Manage client stakeholders across procurement, supply chain, and IT functions.
• Lead cross-functional teams including data analysts, engineers, and QA functions.
• Establish confidence scoring and quality control frameworks for data outputs.
• Improved enterprise data reliability to >90-95% confidence levels.
• Reduced manual data handling and rework significantly.
• Enabled accurate spend analytics, inventory optimisation, and operational efficiency.

Led delivery of multiple digital and data-focused projects within a UK-based environment, managing fully remote, cross-functional teams across time zones.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managed end-to-end delivery of technology and data-driven projects across distributed teams
• Acted as both Senior Project Manager and Scrum Master, ensuring alignment between Agile execution and strategic delivery goals
• Led and coordinated remote teams (developers, analysts, QA, product owners) across multiple locations
• Facilitated all Agile ceremonies including:
• Sprint Planning
• Daily Stand-ups
• Backlog Grooming
• Sprint Reviews & Retrospectives
• Defined and managed:
• Project scope
• Delivery timelines
• Resource allocation
• Risks and dependencies
• Ensured continuous delivery and iterative improvement through Agile best practices
• Maintained strong stakeholder communication with UK-based leadership and business units
• Produced status reports, delivery updates, and executive-level reporting

Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Running daily stand-ups and removing delivery blockers in real time
• Managing sprint progress and ensuring teams meet committed deliverables
• Working closely with Product Owners to refine and prioritise backlogs
• Monitoring team velocity and optimising delivery performance
• Coordinating across multiple teams to manage interdependencies
• Managing risks, issues, and escalation paths
• Engaging stakeholders to ensure alignment on priorities and expectations
• Driving continuous improvement through retrospectives and feedback loops

Impact:

• Successfully managed high-performing remote Agile teams
• Improved delivery consistency and team accountability
• Strengthened collaboration across geographically dispersed resources

Led transformation initiatives focused on data-driven decision-making, process optimisation, and organisational improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Delivered transformation programmes aligning business strategy with execution
• Led data analysis initiatives to inform operational and strategic decisions
• Designed and implemented process improvements and workflow optimisation
• Established continuous improvement frameworks across teams
• Implemented risk mitigation strategies across transformation initiatives
• Facilitated organisational change and adoption of new processes

Transformation Focus:

• Transitioned teams toward data-led decision making
• Improved operational efficiency through process redesign
• Strengthened delivery through structured governance and reporting

Delivered project and Agile execution within a crypto / Web3 platform environment, managing globally distributed engineering teams across multiple time zones.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managed delivery of crypto platform development initiatives, coordinating across backend, frontend, and platform engineering teams
• Operated as both Scrum Master and Project Manager, ensuring structured Agile delivery in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Led release planning and sprint cycles with a focus on rapid iteration and continuous delivery
• Managed and maintained Jira boards, sprint tracking, and backlog prioritisation
• Facilitated Agile ceremonies across distributed teams:
• Daily stand-ups (multi-time zone)
• Sprint planning
• Backlog refinement
• Sprint reviews and retrospectives
• Worked closely with Product Owners to define and prioritise feature releases and platform enhancements
• Managed delivery risks, blockers, and dependencies in a highly dynamic environment.
• Provided daily reporting to leadership, including delivery status, risks, and performance insights
• Oversaw resource coordination and timesheet tracking across remote teams

• Running multiple daily scrums across global teams
• Removing blockers to maintain sprint velocity
• Coordinating delivery across engineering, product, and QA
• Monitoring sprint progress and ensuring delivery commitments are met
• Managing cross-team dependencies in a fast-moving environment
• Engaging stakeholders to align on priorities and release timelines
• Driving continuous improvement through retrospectives

• Improved team performance by 43% within a short period
• Established structured Agile delivery within a fast-paced crypto environment
• Enhanced communication and alignment across globally distributed teams.
• Increased delivery predictability and sprint accountability.

Led a large-scale enterprise Agile transformation, implementing Scrum across 43 teams and establishing a structured, scalable delivery model across the IT organisation

Designed and executed a full Agile transformation programme across the organisation:

1. Current State Assessment

• Assessed existing delivery models, team structures, and bottlenecks
• Identified gaps in delivery, communication, and accountability

2. Team Restructuring

• Reorganised teams into cross-functional Scrum teams
• Defined clear roles: Scrum Masters, Product Owners, Delivery Teams

3. Agile Framework Design

• Implemented Scrum framework tailored to organisational needs
• Defined sprint cadence, ceremonies, and governance structures

4. Training & Enablement

• Trained Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and teams on:
• Agile principles
• User story creation
• Backlog management
• Sprint execution
• Coached leadership on Agile ways of working

5. Tooling & Process Implementation

• Introduced and structured Jira boards and workflows
• Standardised backlog structures and sprint tracking

6. Governance & Reporting

• Established delivery governance including:
• Sprint reporting
• Velocity tracking
• Risk and issue management
• Introduced executive-level reporting frameworks

7. Continuous Improvement

• Embedded retrospectives and feedback loops
• Continuously refined processes to improve delivery performance

• Acted as Senior Project Manager overseeing BI and data-related transformation projects
• Managed full delivery lifecycle:
• Scope
• Schedule
• Budget
• Risks & issues
• Stakeholder engagement
• Acted as Scrum Master for multiple teams across Data Ops and Front-End
• Led coordination across multiple concurrent projects and teams
• Ensured alignment between business objectives and delivery execution

• Running daily stand-ups across multiple teams
• Facilitating sprint planning, backlog grooming, and retrospectives
• Coaching teams and individuals on Agile best practices
• Working with Product Owners to refine and prioritise backlogs
• Monitoring sprint progress, velocity, and delivery performance
• Removing blockers and managing dependencies across teams
• Managing risks and escalating issues where required
• Reporting to stakeholders and leadership on delivery status
• Driving continuous improvement across teams and processes

• Successfully implemented Agile across 43 teams
• Improved delivery predictability, team velocity, and collaboration
• Established a scalable Agile delivery model across the organisation
• Enabled better alignment between IT delivery and business priorities

Led a full enterprise data migration and transformation programme from SAP to SAGE, ensuring not only successful migration but also the long-term integrity, governance, and correct usage of data in the new system.

This programme combined technical migration with business transformation, establishing processes and controls to prevent data degradation post-migration.

1. Current State Assessment

• Assessed legacy SAP data structures, data quality, and usage patterns
• Identified data inconsistencies, duplication, and governance gaps
• Engaged business stakeholders to understand how data was being used

2. Data Cleansing & Preparation

• Defined data cleansing rules and transformation logic
• Removed duplicates, corrected inconsistencies, and standardised formats
• Ensured data readiness prior to migration

3. Data Mapping & Transformation Design

• Mapped legacy SAP data structures to new SAGE system architecture
• Defined transformation rules to ensure data integrity and usability
• Worked closely with technical teams to validate mappings

4. Migration Execution

• Managed end-to-end migration process including test cycles and validation
• Oversaw data loading into the new system
• Ensured reconciliation between source and target systems

5. Data Validation & Quality Assurance

• Implemented validation frameworks to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Conducted reconciliation checks and exception handling
• Ensured all migrated data met audit and compliance standards

6. Governance & Control Framework

• Established data governance principles and ownership structures
• Defined processes for maintaining data quality post-migration
• Implemented controls to prevent future data degradation

7. Business Adoption & Data Usage Alignment

• Ensured business teams understood correct data usage in the new system
• Aligned processes to support clean, structured, and consistent data capture
• Facilitated transition from legacy behaviours to new operating model

• Managed full lifecycle delivery of the migration and transformation programme
• Oversaw:
• Scope
• Schedule
• Budget
• Risks & issues
• Stakeholder engagement
• Coordinated across IT, business, and external audit teams
• Ensured compliance with strict financial and regulatory requirements
• Managed all audit processes and documentation
• Acted as Scrum Master, enabling Agile delivery within a regulated environment

• Running delivery stand-ups and coordinating across teams
• Managing migration timelines, dependencies, and risks
• Working with data teams to resolve data quality issues
• Engaging business stakeholders to validate data and processes
• Monitoring migration progress and resolving blockers
• Managing audit requirements and ensuring compliance readiness
• Producing status reports and executive updates
• Facilitating testing cycles and validation sessions

• Successfully delivered full SAP → SAGE data migration
• Established a sustainable data governance framework
• Ensured long-term data quality, accuracy, and usability
• Enabled improved reporting, compliance, and operational efficiency

Led delivery of multiple business-critical projects and programmes, ensuring consistent execution across scope, time, cost, and quality, while supporting Agile ways of working within teams.

Executed structured end-to-end project delivery across multiple initiatives:

1. Project Initiation & Planning

• Defined project scope, objectives, and success criteria
• Identified stakeholders and established communication plans
• Developed detailed project plans including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation

2. Requirements & Backlog Definition

• Worked with business stakeholders to define and refine requirements
• Translated business needs into user stories and actionable deliverables
• Prioritised work based on business value and delivery timelines

3. Resource & Delivery Management

• Allocated resources across multiple projects and teams
• Coordinated cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and delivery readiness
• Managed delivery capacity and workload balancing

4. Execution & Delivery Control

• Managed project execution against defined timelines and milestones
• Ensured adherence to scope, budget, and quality standards
• Controlled scope changes through structured change management

5. Risk & Issue Management

• Identified risks early and implemented mitigation strategies
• Managed issues and escalations to ensure minimal impact on delivery

6. Stakeholder Communication & Reporting

• Maintained regular communication with stakeholders
• Provided clear, structured reporting on progress, risks, and outcomes
• Ensured alignment between business expectations and delivery outputs

7. Quality Assurance & Delivery Completion

• Ensured all deliverables met agreed acceptance criteria
• Managed testing, validation, and sign-off processes
• Delivered projects into production and ensured successful handover

• Managed multiple concurrent delivery projects and programmes
• Acted as central point of coordination between business, IT, and stakeholders
• Facilitated Agile practices while maintaining strong delivery control
• Coached teams on:
• Agile principles
• Scrum ceremonies
• Continuous improvement practices
• Established clear delivery structures and communication channels

• Running daily stand-ups and coordinating team activities
• Tracking project progress against timelines and deliverables
• Managing risks, issues, and dependencies
• Working with stakeholders to refine requirements and priorities
• Monitoring team performance and delivery output
• Facilitating sprint planning, backlog grooming, and retrospectives
• Ensuring alignment across multiple teams and projects
• Providing regular status updates and reporting to leadership
• Removing blockers and ensuring smooth execution

• Successfully delivered key business initiatives including Sanlam Reality Incentive Programme
• Improved delivery structure, communication, and team alignment
• Ensured consistent delivery across multiple concurrent projects
• Strengthened collaboration between business and delivery teams

Led a large-scale global data migration programme, focused on the migration of prepaid and postpaid subscriber (SIM card) data, alongside delivery of a parallel IFRS financial compliance project.

This role required coordination across high-volume data environments, financial compliance requirements, and multiple stakeholder groups, ensuring accuracy, scalability, and regulatory alignment.

• Migration of 2+ million SIM card subscriber records (prepaid and postpaid)
• Global data migration across billing and customer information systems
• Implementation of IFRS 15 financial reporting standards
• Integration between billing systems, financial systems, and reporting environments

1. Programme Initiation & Planning

• Defined programme scope covering both data migration and financial compliance
• Established delivery structure, timelines, and resource allocation
• Identified key stakeholders across IT, finance, and operations

2. Data Migration Strategy

• Designed migration approach for high-volume subscriber data
• Defined data validation, reconciliation, and integrity checks
• Ensured secure and accurate handling of sensitive customer data

3. Data Cleansing & Preparation

• Identified data inconsistencies and duplicates
• Implemented cleansing processes to improve data quality prior to migration
• Ensured readiness of data for migration into new systems

4. Migration Execution & Validation

• Managed execution of migration cycles including testing and validation
• Oversaw reconciliation between source and target systems
• Ensured minimal disruption to live billing operations

5. IFRS 15 Compliance Implementation

• Led delivery of financial system changes to align with IFRS 15 standards
• Worked closely with finance teams to interpret and implement requirements
• Ensured revenue recognition processes were compliant and auditable
• Coordinated system and reporting changes required for compliance

6. Risk, Issue & Change Management

• Identified and mitigated risks across both migration and compliance streams
• Controlled scope changes through structured governance processes
• Managed escalations and ensured timely resolution

7. Stakeholder Management & Reporting

• Maintained alignment between IT, finance, and business stakeholders
• Provided structured reporting to leadership on progress, risks, and outcomes
• Ensured transparency across all programme activities

• Managed end-to-end delivery of a global data migration programme
• Oversaw:
• Scope
• Schedule
• Budget
• Risks & issues
• Stakeholder engagement
• Coordinated cross-functional teams across billing, finance, and IT
• Ensured compliance with financial and regulatory requirements
• Delivered both technical and business-critical outcomes

• Managing migration timelines, milestones, and delivery progress
• Coordinating across technical teams, finance teams, and business stakeholders
• Monitoring data migration accuracy and resolving data-related issues
• Tracking IFRS implementation progress and ensuring compliance alignment
• Managing risks, issues, and dependencies across programme streams
• Facilitating meetings, status updates, and reporting
• Ensuring adherence to change management processes
• Supporting testing cycles and validation processes

• Successfully delivered global SIM card data migration (2M+ records)
• Ensured full compliance with IFRS 15 financial reporting standards
• Enabled accurate billing, revenue recognition, and financial reporting
• Delivered high-volume programme with minimal disruption to operations

Led the end-to-end delivery of a national retail gift card programme, covering technology implementation, operational process design, physical product rollout, and nationwide distribution across all retail outlets.

This programme combined IT systems, infrastructure setup, logistics, retail operations, and marketing execution.

• Design and implementation of a retail gift card solution
• Setup and coordination of data centre / system infrastructure
• Development of operational processes and workflows
• Design and production of physical gift cards
• Nationwide distribution to all retail outlets
• In-store rollout including training, displays, and marketing activation

1. Programme Initiation & Design

• Defined programme scope across technology, operations, and retail rollout
• Engaged stakeholders across IT, operations, marketing, and retail divisions
• Designed overall delivery roadmap and rollout strategy

2. System & Infrastructure Setup

• Coordinated setup of data centre environments and supporting systems
• Ensured systems were scalable, secure, and aligned to business requirements
• Worked with technical teams to support system implementation

3. Process Design & Operational Readiness

• Developed end-to-end gift card lifecycle processes:
• Issuance
• Activation
• Redemption
• Reconciliation
• Defined workflows to ensure smooth integration into retail operations

4. Product Design & Production

• Oversaw design and production of physical gift cards
• Ensured alignment with brand, usability, and operational requirements

5. Logistics & Nationwide Distribution

• Managed logistics for distribution of gift cards to all outlets nationwide
• Coordinated supply chain and ensured timely delivery to stores
• Ensured tracking and accountability of distributed inventory

6. Retail Rollout & Training

• Led in-store rollout across all outlets
• Delivered training to store staff on systems and processes
• Ensured readiness at point-of-sale for activation and usage

7. Marketing & Shopfront Activation

• Coordinated marketing rollout and in-store displays
• Ensured consistent customer experience across all retail locations
• Supported promotional campaigns linked to the gift card launch

• Managed full lifecycle delivery across IT, operations, logistics, and retail
• Coordinated cross-functional teams including:
• IT & infrastructure
• Retail operations
• Marketing
• Supply chain & logistics
• Managed:
• Scope
• Timeline
• Budget
• Risks & issues
• Ensured alignment between technical delivery and business execution

• Coordinating across multiple workstreams (IT, logistics, retail, marketing)
• Managing delivery timelines and rollout schedules
• Engaging stakeholders to ensure alignment and readiness
• Overseeing system setup and operational process implementation
• Managing distribution logistics and tracking delivery progress
• Supporting store readiness, training, and rollout execution
• Monitoring risks, resolving issues, and ensuring smooth delivery
• Reporting on progress and programme status to leadership

• Successfully delivered a nationwide retail gift card programme
• Enabled new revenue stream through gift card offering
• Ensured seamless integration across systems, operations, and retail outlets
• Delivered consistent customer and in-store experience across all locations

Led the delivery and rollout of electricity metering solutions, including both hardware and software implementation, across South Africa and international markets, with a key focus on smart meter deployment in Azerbaijan.

This role required coordination across engineering, software development, infrastructure, and field rollout teams, delivering complex, large-scale utility programmes.

• Implementation of electricity metering systems (hardware + software)
• Local rollout of metering solutions across South Africa (Eskom-related programmes)
• International deployment of smart metering solutions in Azerbaijan
• Integration between meter hardware, software platforms, and utility systems
• Coordination between engineering teams, software developers, and field operations

1. Programme Initiation & Planning

• Defined programme scope, delivery model, and rollout strategy
• Established timelines, milestones, and resource plans
• Engaged stakeholders across utilities, engineering teams, and delivery partners

2. Solution Design & Integration

• Coordinated integration between:
• Meter hardware (electricity and gas)
• Software platforms
• Utility billing and monitoring systems
• Translated engineering requirements into software and system delivery plans

3. Hardware & Software Implementation

• Managed deployment of metering hardware in field environments
• Coordinated software configuration and system integration
• Ensured alignment between physical infrastructure and digital systems

4. Local Rollout (South Africa)

• Oversaw rollout of electricity metering solutions across local regions
• Coordinated installation teams and ensured operational readiness
• Managed rollout logistics and deployment schedules

5. International Rollout (Azerbaijan)

• Led implementation of smart metering solutions in Azerbaijan
• Coordinated cross-border teams including:
• South African software teams
• Local hardware and field teams
• Managed delivery in a multi-country, multi-team environment

6. Testing, Validation & Quality Assurance

• Oversaw system testing and validation of both hardware and software components
• Ensured systems met operational and performance requirements
• Managed issue resolution and system stabilisation

7. Stakeholder Management & Governance

• Engaged with utility providers, engineering teams, and business stakeholders
• Provided structured reporting on progress, risks, and delivery status
• Managed approvals and programme governance processes

• Led end-to-end programme delivery across hardware, software, and field operations
• Managed:
• Scope
• Schedule
• Budget
• Risks & issues
• Cross-functional coordination
• Acted as bridge between engineering, software, and business stakeholders
• Managed international delivery across geographically distributed teams

• Coordinating between engineering, software, and field deployment teams
• Managing rollout schedules and tracking implementation progress
• Resolving technical and operational issues during deployment
• Monitoring system integration between hardware and software
• Managing risks, issues, and escalation paths
• Engaging stakeholders across countries and functions
• Reporting on programme status and delivery performance

• Successfully delivered smart metering implementations across South Africa and Azerbaijan
• Enabled integration of hardware and software systems at scale
• Managed complex international rollout with multiple stakeholders
• Contributed to modernisation of utility infrastructure and metering systems

Led multiple high-impact digital, systems, and transformation initiatives across Old Mutual divisions, including delivery of a global client-facing investment platform (iPad app), implementation of Agile methodologies, and transformation of core billing and operational processes.

• Delivery of global investment portfolio application (iPad app) for client use
• Implementation of Scrum and Agile methodologies across teams
• Full upgrade and transformation of billing systems (Oracle-based)
• End-to-end business process transformation initiatives
• Digital platform and website enhancements with real-time capabilities

1. Digital Product Development (iPad App)

• Led delivery of the first iPad application (MyPortfolio) for investment clients globally
• Coordinated development teams to build a secure, user-friendly platform
• Ensured integration with backend financial and portfolio systems
• Delivered ahead of schedule, supporting global client access to investment data

2. Agile Implementation

• Introduced and implemented Scrum methodology across delivery teams
• Established Agile structures including:
• Scrum teams
• Sprint cycles
• Backlogs and prioritisation frameworks
• Set up physical and digital Scrum environments to support delivery
• Coached teams and stakeholders on Agile adoption

3. Billing System Upgrade

• Led full upgrade of billing systems (Oracle platform)
• Managed system design, development coordination, and implementation
• Ensured integration with financial and operational systems
• Delivered improved performance and system capability

4. Business Process Transformation

• Led transformation of key operational processes across business units
• Identified inefficiencies and redesigned workflows for improved performance
• Ensured alignment between systems, processes, and business objectives
• Supported adoption of new processes across teams

5. Web & Digital Platform Enhancements

• Delivered front-end and backend improvements to client-facing platforms
• Enabled real-time functionality and system integration
• Improved overall user experience and system responsiveness

• Managed multiple concurrent projects and programmes across divisions
• Oversaw:
• Scope
• Schedule
• Budget
• Risks & issues
• Stakeholder engagement
• Acted as both Project Manager and Scrum Master
• Coordinated cross-functional teams including:
• Developers
• Business analysts
• Stakeholders
• Delivered executive-level reporting and programme updates

• Managing delivery across multiple projects and teams
• Facilitating Agile ceremonies (stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives)
• Coordinating development and integration activities
• Managing risks, issues, and dependencies
• Engaging stakeholders to align on priorities and delivery outcomes
• Monitoring progress and ensuring delivery against timelines
• Driving continuous improvement across teams and processes

• Successfully delivered first global iPad investment application (MyPortfolio)
• Introduced and embedded Agile delivery methodology within teams
• Delivered full billing system upgrade improving operational capability
• Executed process transformation initiatives improving efficiency and alignment
• Enhanced digital platforms with real-time functionality for clients

Programme Scope.

Delivery Approach, Key Responsibilities, Day-to-Day Responsibilities, Impact.

Led the delivery of a full medical data migration programme to a new system, combined with team restructuring and upskilling, ensuring successful adoption and long-term use of the new platform.

This role required coordination across data, systems, and people transformation, ensuring both technical delivery and operational readiness.

• Migration of medical and member data to a new system
• Implementation of a new operational platform
• Establishment of new teams aligned to the system
• Upskilling and training of users on new processes and technology

1. Requirements & Current State Analysis

• Gathered and documented business and system requirements
• Analysed existing data structures and workflows
• Identified gaps in processes and system capabilities

2. Data Migration Planning

• Defined migration approach for sensitive medical data
• Established data mapping and transformation rules
• Ensured compliance with data integrity and confidentiality requirements

3. Data Cleansing & Preparation

• Identified inconsistencies and duplicates in legacy data
• Cleaned and standardised data prior to migration
• Ensured data accuracy and readiness for the new system

4. Migration Execution & Validation

• Managed execution of data migration cycles
• Oversaw validation and reconciliation of migrated data
• Ensured completeness and accuracy of all records

5. Team Restructuring & Capability Build

• Established new team structures aligned to the new system
• Defined roles and responsibilities within the new operating model
• Supported transition from legacy processes to new workflows

6. Training & Upskilling

• Delivered training programmes for teams on:
• System usage
• New processes
• Data handling standards
• Ensured teams were confident and capable in using the new platform

7. Business Adoption & Transition

• Supported business users through transition to the new system
• Ensured alignment between system capabilities and operational use
• Facilitated smooth go-live and post-implementation support
• Managed end-to-end delivery of data migration and system implementation
• Acted as both Business Analyst and Project Manager
• Coordinated across IT, business teams, and stakeholders
• Managed:
• Scope
• Timeline
• Risks & issues
• Stakeholder communication
• Ensured compliance with data handling standards for medical data
• Gathering and refining business requirements
• Coordinating data migration activities and timelines
• Working with teams to resolve data and system issues
• Managing training sessions and user onboarding
• Monitoring project progress and delivery milestones
• Engaging stakeholders and providing regular updates
• Supporting teams during system transition and go-live
• Successfully delivered full medical data migration to new system
• Enabled effective adoption through team restructuring and upskilling
• Improved data accuracy, system usability, and operational efficiency
• Established a strong foundation for future system use and scalability