Neesha Vasan Lowrie
Khandallah,New Zealand
Summary
I am an outcome-driven project management professional with a track record of supporting organisations in achieving their business objectives. I thrive on leading innovative transformation projects that benefit New Zealand, and I value collaborative, forward-thinking environments. As both a pathfinder and servant leader, I am committed to personal growth, broadening my expertise and enjoy making a difference.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Project Manager
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
01.2023 - Current
- Providing professional project management disciplines to deliver on strategy and transformation initiatives and working with key stakeholders across multiple business groups within NZTA.
- Led the delivery of the $23M Work-Related Road Safety programme under New Zealand’s Road to Zero strategy.
- Established programme-level governance, engaging senior internal and external stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment and accountability.
- Implemented a co-design process with government agencies and community leaders, fostering unified support.
- Led the discovery phase to identify a new contact centre platform that would transform our customer experience, drive simplification and streamline our processes whilst reducing reputational risk for NZTA and established steering committee governance.
- Secured business case funding approval to implement a new customer centre platform built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 capability that would modernise and transform NZTA’s contact centre.
Senior Project Manager
New Zealand Health Group
06.2020 - 01.2023
- Company Overview: New Zealand Health Group (NZHG) is the largest provider of Home & Community Services, Nursing, Rehabilitation, Disability, and Behavioural Support, health staffing.
- Successfully delivered a pilot to trial Medi Map (online platform) medication management system that will replace the current pharmacy generated medication charts in the Wairarapa.
- Delivered multiple CRM migration projects for NZCL (NZ Community Living) enhancing rostering functions for residential and support workers.
- Implemented the MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) portal that enabled Geneva Care coordinators, health care workers and social care professionals to work collaboratively to plan and implement treatment programmes for clients who are in complex medical conditions.
- New Zealand Health Group (NZHG) is the largest provider of Home & Community Services, Nursing, Rehabilitation, Disability, and Behavioural Support, health staffing.
Project Manager
Ministry of Social Development (MSD)
05.2019 - 06.2020
- Project Manager for the Whānau Resilience initiative, aimed at creating strong, resilient communities where Whānau are supported to live violence-free and to eliminate violence for future generations.
- Implemented the procurement and Co-design phase of this 5-year programme with a first-year budget of $15.4M.
Contractor
New Zealand Red Cross
Wellington
04.2017 - 12.2017
- With the Wellington Refugee Settlement team, managed the recruitment and training of dedicated volunteers, empowering them to provide essential support to refugee families in Wellington.
- This initiative significantly enhanced the integration and well-being of refugee families, fostering a welcoming and inclusive community.
Channel Manager
Kiwibank
05.2015 - 06.2016
- Purpose of the role was to lead and manage the Self-Service network (including ATMs) and develop and execute strategies and projects for ATMs, Self Service and Cash.
- Managed the ATM and cash operations team for Kiwibank and was the business owner for the ATM replacement initiative.
- Led contract negotiations for the transition to a new operating model for ATM services to Kiwibank, developing ATM network optimisation recommendations.
- Supported operational management of the ATM fleet, including rebranding and optimisation.
Market Manager
Kiwibank
05.2013 - 09.2013
- The role was responsible for the development and execution of strategies and tactics for the ATM channel to achieve annual growth targets, optimisation benchmarks and deliver low-cost operational excellence.
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade
11.2010 - 11.2012
- The purpose of this role was to develop and deliver key transformation projects for the Finance division of MFAT.
- Established the Finance Modernisation Programme: The objective was to enable the Modernisation, Simplification and Standardisation of Finance operations and transactional processes for the Ministry.
- Finance Modernisation Programme: The objective of the Finance Modernisation Programme is to enable the Modernisation, Simplification and Standardisation of Finance operations and transactional processes for the Ministry.
- Established the programme and governance structure as well as delivering a number of project initiatives under this programme.
- Global Banking Services RFP: Project Managed the Search and Selection phase for the Global Banking Services RFP in which Citibank was successfully awarded the contract.
- Budgeting, Forecasting and Reporting (BFR) Project managed the development of the EOI and Search Selection phase in which a vendor was successfully selected.
- Expense Management Solution RFP Project Managed the development of the Expense Management RFP which was approved my MFAT and managed the search and selection phase prior to leaving MFAT.
- Upgrade FMIS Project: Successfully delivered a technical upgrade project for the Finance division.
Project Manager and Senior Project Manager
ANZ
07.2005 - 10.2010
- Objective of the role is to contribute to the achievement of the ANZ bank’s distribution strategy through the formulation and delivery of a programme of strategic projects and initiatives.
- Product Launch of ANZ Go Account: Project management of the development and launch of “ANZ Go Account” a new transaction account for ANZ. ANZ Go account allows customers to have no monthly fees or fees transactions when they choose to bank electronically. This project was successfully launched to the ANZ branch networks in May 2010.
- Successfully led the NBNZ Web Release team that delivered a number of website initiatives that applied an agile project methodology and was the IT and Business Project Manager for this initiative. Responsible for managing the development team as well as liaising with business stakeholders.
- Delivered introduction of multi-lingual functionalities to the ATM network for ANZ and National bank. Successfully deployed the first multi-lingual ATM in New Zealand via remote deployment on the 30 August 2007. ANZ National is the first bank in New Zealand to introduce multi-lingual functions to the ATM network.
- Re-negotiated the Armourguard (ADT) contract to combine the ATM and Cash provider services for ANZ National Bank for New Zealand. Previously the Armourguard contract only incorporated services for ANZ bank. Significant amendments were made to the contract to streamline processes, services and pricing for both brands.
- Liaised with key stakeholders and external vendors, business stakeholders and Finance and project governance groups. Responsible for Change Management deliverables, BPIA, Implementation support, training and communications planning.
Strategic Information Advisor
Inland Revenue
08.2004 - 07.2005
- Purpose of my role is to contribute to the research and development of high-level strategies and systems to do with technology and e-business.
- Purpose of my role is to contribute to the research and development of high-level strategies and systems to do with technology and e-business.
Programme Manager
Wellington City Council
Wellington
03.2002 - 07.2004
- The SaferRoads programme was to reduce the number of crashes in Wellington City by one third.
- Wellington is the first city in New Zealand to implement a project that links with the Land Transport and Safety Authority's national road safety strategy.
- Estimated expenditure for this programme was $20.45
Education
Post-Graduate Diploma in Business & Administration - Human Resource Management
Massey University
01.1996
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) - Economics
University of Otago
01.1994
Skills
- Project Management
- Leadership
- Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Vendor Management
- Negotiation
- Relationship Building
- Change Management
Training
- PMP Certified: Project Management Professional (2005)
- Prince2
- Executive Management Development Programme (Victoria University)
- Member of the Project Management Institute (PMI)
Hobbies and Interests
- Travelling and experiencing different cultures
- Walking
- Yoga
- Enjoying the outdoors
Timeline
Senior Project Manager
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
01.2023 - Current
Senior Project Manager
New Zealand Health Group
06.2020 - 01.2023
Project Manager
Ministry of Social Development (MSD)
05.2019 - 06.2020
Contractor
New Zealand Red Cross
04.2017 - 12.2017
Channel Manager
Kiwibank
05.2015 - 06.2016
Market Manager
Kiwibank
05.2013 - 09.2013
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade
11.2010 - 11.2012
Project Manager and Senior Project Manager
ANZ
07.2005 - 10.2010
Strategic Information Advisor
Inland Revenue
08.2004 - 07.2005
Programme Manager
Wellington City Council
03.2002 - 07.2004
Post-Graduate Diploma in Business & Administration - Human Resource Management
Massey University
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) - Economics
University of Otago