ABDUL RAHMAN M SAMSUDEEN
Senior Project Manager
Cyberjaya
Summary
With over 20 years of experience, recognized for strong project management capabilities and ability to lead strategic, high-impact initiatives across organizations. Held senior roles such as Senior Project and Internal Audit Manager, successfully leading complex IT projects including implementation of Malaysia e-Invoicing, major Tier-1 system upgrades, and key revenue generation and cost-saving initiatives. Experience also includes disaster recovery, data center management, risk management, internal audit, and change management at AirAsia and a leading financial institution. Expertise spans IT Service Management, infrastructure planning, and business continuity, supported by an MBA in Building and Facilities Management from Open University Malaysia. Strong background in IT audits and regulatory compliance within the financial sector. Combination of strategic leadership, technical expertise, and project management experience enables delivery of high-value, mission-critical projects effectively.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
7
7
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Senior Project Manager
Air Asia
05.2020 - Current
- Senior Project Manager responsible for successful delivery of IT projects, reporting to Head of PMO
- Manage 2-3 project managers, oversee project deliveries, scope, schedule, risks, issues, and budget
- Lead complex strategic projects, handling project communication, documentation, reporting, and stakeholder management
- Drive activities across project work streams, including training, staffing, platform, process, and data
- Partner with cross-functional internal stakeholders to ensure deliverables and milestones are met, provide project governance
- Oversee IT Infrastructure and Network system implementation, migration, or integration projects, ensuring adherence to PMO policies and processes, and exercising authority in project management decisions as necessary.
- Manage delivery impediments, risks, issues, and changes associated with product development initiatives and projects, escalating appropriately to resolve issues efficiently.
- Provide recommendations for process improvements based on industry best practices and standards to enhance project efficiency and effectiveness.
- Demonstrate leadership in resolving conflicts and making appropriate decisions to ensure smooth project execution.
- Track and articulate issues, risks, and action items, collaborating with responsible owners to address them promptly and updating stakeholders as needed to maintain project transparency.
Disaster Recovery Manager & Change Manager
Air Asia
03.2015 - 05.2020
- Review and recommend enhancements to Disaster Recovery (DR) processes, focusing on synchronizing DR environments and improving overall recovery strategy effectiveness
- Facilitate training sessions for key remote DR support personnel, ensuring understanding of roles and responsibilities in DR scenarios
- Actively manage and coordinate DR test schedules, objectives, exercises, and post-testing reviews to assess and improve DR preparedness
- Coordinate the implementation and reporting of replication software and tape backup cycling processes to ensure data integrity and availability in DR situations
- Assume management responsibilities for coordinating and facilitating the recovery process during actual disaster events, ensuring swift and effective response to minimize downtime and data loss
- Responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of IT infrastructure and operational changes.
- Managing the change management process, assessing risks and impacts, coordinating with stakeholders, ensuring compliance, and conducting post-change evaluations.
- Continuous improvement of change management processes and ensuring minimal disruption to business operations
Head, Data Centre Management (DCM), IT Operations, Information Services
Malaysian Electronic Payment System (MEPS)
08.2014 - 02.2015
- Lead and manage all aspects of Data Centre operations, including facilities management and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize efficiency and reliability
- Oversee allocation and management of resources pertaining to Data Centre operations, ensuring optimal utilization and alignment with organizational goals
- Coordinate project activities related to Data Centre operations across departments, ensuring seamless integration and alignment with overall business objectives
- Review and negotiate maintenance agreements for Data Centre facilities to ensure optimal service levels and cost-effectiveness
- Monitor Data Centre uptime and performance metrics, preparing monthly reports for member banks and addressing ad-hoc reporting needs, while also overseeing Disaster Recovery Centre readiness and coordinating DR activities within MEPS and Financial Institutions
Regional Data Centre Operations Local Lead
OCBC Bank (M) Berhad
11.2011 - 08.2014
- Lead day-to-day operations of OCBC & Great Eastern Life Data Centre, ensuring timely and compliant activities.
- Ensure DC procedures comply with risk control, regulatory, and audit requirements for Malaysian applications.
- Coordinate Group Projects and oversee readiness for development, testing, and rollout, ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Plan and execute DR tests, manage quarterly Data Centre Shutdowns for maintenance, and conduct security training.
- Manage regulatory assessments, risk reporting, Pin Mailer Printing, Magnetic Media Management, and serve on Change Approval Committee and OSHA Committee for DC Cyberjaya.
Manager, Internal Operations Auditor
OCBC Bank (M) Berhad
12.2010 - 11.2011
- Conduct audits to ensure Operations and Branches adhere to Business Objectives, providing reasonable assurance on risk management, control, and governance.
- Report identified risk management issues and internal control deficiencies to the audit committee, offering recommendations for enhancing Head Office and Branch operations.
- Evaluate compliance and risk management in information security across Branches and Head Office Operation Units.
- Ensure strict adherence to regulatory compliance/requirements programs, evaluating and verifying Branches and Business Operations' readiness in terms of Business Continuity.
- Serve as an OSHA Member representing the Audit Division at Wisma Lee Rubber, and contribute to yearly audit planning and budgeting processes.
Assistant Manager, Internal IT Auditor
OCBC Bank (M) Berhad
11.2008 - 11.2010
- Evaluate and assess the efficiency and effectiveness of IT Services to the business strategies.
- Ensure IT Management are meeting regulatory and Information Security compliance requirements.
- Assess and ensure the effectiveness of Risk management.
- IT staff and Services competency and effectiveness.
- Assess and evaluate the effectiveness of Physical and Logical security management.
Education
MBA - Building and Facilities Management
Open University Malaysia (OUM)
Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia 11.2014 - 11.2016
Diploma - Information Technology
SAL Group of Colleges (SAL)
Subang Jaya 01.2014 - 01.2015
Skills
- End to end Project Management (Agile, Waterfall & hybrid methodology
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Cross functional Stakeholder communication and management
- Decision Making
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Detail and result oriented
- Multitasking Abilities
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Integrity
- Data Center Operations
- IT and Operations Audit
Certification
PRINCE2 Practitioner Certified, 2024
Miscellaneous
3 Months Notice, Cyberjaya, Selangor & KL (Hybrid, WFH or On-site), Negotiable, Yes, B2, D
Accomplishments
- Managed highly critical Tier-1 Systems upgrades
- Malaysia e-invoicing implementation for multiple LOBs within a tight timeline
- Implemented multiple business strategic cost saving and revenue generating initiative
- Performed an organization-wide audit, conducting a comprehensive review and evaluation of a company's operations, systems, processes, and controls across various departments or functions.
Timeline
Senior Project Manager
Air Asia
05.2020 - Current
Disaster Recovery Manager & Change Manager
Air Asia
03.2015 - 05.2020
MBA - Building and Facilities Management
Open University Malaysia (OUM)
11.2014 - 11.2016
Head, Data Centre Management (DCM), IT Operations, Information Services
Malaysian Electronic Payment System (MEPS)
08.2014 - 02.2015
Diploma - Information Technology
SAL Group of Colleges (SAL)
01.2014 - 01.2015
Regional Data Centre Operations Local Lead
OCBC Bank (M) Berhad
11.2011 - 08.2014
Manager, Internal Operations Auditor
OCBC Bank (M) Berhad
12.2010 - 11.2011
Assistant Manager, Internal IT Auditor
OCBC Bank (M) Berhad
11.2008 - 11.2010
PRINCE2 Practitioner Certified, 2024
PRINCE2 Foundation Certified, 2023
PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner Certification Training, Info Trek, 2022
DevOps Fundamentals, DevOps Agile Skills Association (DASA), 47D86E3B7548E39AB5, 2019
Certified Data Centre Risk Professional (CDRP), 2014
ITIL Foundation in IT Service Management, 2012
Internal Audit Quality Assessment (Internal & External Review), IIA - The Institute of Internal Auditor, 2009
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