Eric Newstadt Email & Phone Number

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

As the Dir. of Project and Vendor Management I have built on a proven track record of leading successful teams and driving impactful results. My team has proven to be adept at managing complex inter-departmental initiatives, at improving the predictability of delivery teams, and at consistently delivering value to the business. Key achievements includeo Led and supervised a team of 6 Project & Program Managers, effectively coordinating their efforts to manage and deliver on complex projects.o Implemented strategies and process improvements that resulted in a remarkable 40% improvement in delivery team predictability.o Established and institutionalized agile practices within software development teams, leading to an average 20% reduction in lead-time for software development projects and helping to foster a culture of collaboration and improvement.o Played a crucial role in decreasing the lead-time for marketing & promotional materials from 8 weeks to just 3 weeks, streamlining the process and optimizing efficiency.o Contributed to the development and architecture of the information management backbone for Kobo's program management, product development, and workflow improvement platform.o Developed and implemented Kobo's vendor management program, resulting in an over 15% reduction in year-over-year spend on SaaS and software.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto

As The Business Operations and Development Manager in Rakuten's Global Operations Department, I work as part of a globally distributed, agile, and exceptionally creative team of technical engineers. Together, we work to support all of Rakuten's subsidiaries outside of Japan. My work requires that I wear multiple hats, from budget and account manager, to business analyst, to inter-company diplomat and fixer, and human resources manager. Financial planning and management:o I build and manage the department’s annual budget.o I work with managers and finance teams in offices around the world to update budget forecasts and financial reports, to reconcile cross-company invoices, and to develop cross-border and inter-jurisdictional procurement processes that are transparent and efficient.Organizational and business development:o Work to maintain and grow relationships between Global Operations, regional headquarters, and Rakuten-owned subsidiaries.o Help to build and extend a shared services program that cuts costs and delivers efficiencies to all of Rakuten’s businesses.o Drive the evolution of processes, regulations, as well as policies and procedures in order to create a seamless global organization.o Take the lead in developing the business case for new OPS-related programs and services;o Help craft and execute internal marketing efforts aimed at winning budgetary approval and widespread support for special/strategic initiatives;o Coordinate and facilitate strategic planning sessions with both other Global OPS managers and senior executives in Rakuten and its subsidiaries.o Support recruitment, and team expansion in conjunction with HR departments around the work;o Lead both new and on-going departmental programs and initiatives that help to facilitate effective and efficient work within and between globally distributed OPS teams.

•Delivered outstanding research and analysis to a series of repeat-customers including various public and private sector organizations like the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Dalhousie Faculty Association.•My research provided the backbone to several campaigns and initiatives on issues like pension reform, economic growth and development, and higher education.•Supported research findings by developing government submissions, developing presentation materials, developing contract language, and helping senior personnel navigate through and around complex issues. •Ghost-authored a book on investment in Greater China for a senior investment manager at Royal Bank of Canada

Toronto

Wolfville, Nova Scotia

•Developed five new courses, including four undergraduate courses and one graduate seminar. •Successfully delivered content on subjects ranging from Canadian politics and public policy, Canadian public law, political economy, and global finance.•Prompted high levels of student achievement and successfully helped students to develop both critical thinking skills and their understanding of how politics and economics shapes our world. •Provided guidance and support to Masters level students in their efforts to develop original research.•Worked with colleagues in the Dept. of Politics to stage an occasional speaker series that attracted renowned experts from around the globe. •Successfully developed original research on Canada’s science and innovation infrastructure.

Halifax, Canada Area

•Led a team of three organizers in a successful bid to organize approximately 175 postdoctoral researchers at Dalhousie University.•Successfully completed card-sign three weeks before provincially mandated deadline.•Nova Scotia Labour Board certified the vote in October 2014, with over 71% of postdocs voting to join PSAC.

Toronto, Ontario

•Directed operations, managing gross revenues of over $6.5 million. •Directed operation of the Centre’s three retail outlets (pub, café, and conference facility), to year-over-year growth, for each year of my tenure•Led management team through successful contract negotiations with the union representing the Centre’s 120 full- and part-time staff. •Developed outstanding relationship with employee union, closed all outstanding grievances, and enhanced worker satisfaction and productivity.•Built solid working relationships with two on-campus student unions and developed outstanding – and student/customer centred - programming as the backbone of the Centre’s growth. •Enlarged customer base by building new and enhancing existing relationships with commercial lessees, student groups, students’ unions, the student body, and the wider Ryerson Community. •Cleared the Centre’s backlog of deferred maintenance. •Planned, managed, and successfully concluded all aspects of several large renovation projects totalling over $2.5 million, including an innovative, “faith-inclusive” washroom. •Worked successfully with all 11 members of the Student Centre Board of Directors, including sr. university administrators. •Developed and executive several successful marketing campaigns; leverage social media to drive sales; directed and managed the reconstruction of the Centre’s website.

Downtown Toronto

• Started-up, operated, managed and eventually sold three related retail concepts in Kensington Market: a child-focused toy-store; an adult-focused gift, gag, novelty and stationary store; an eight seat café. •Sourced, purchased, and retailed all merchandise.•Managed relationships with over 30 suppliers from around North America, Europe, and Mexico.•Toy store: first-year sales over $150 000; over $250 000 by time of sale; profitable in year one. •Novelty/stationary store: first-year sales over $200 000; over $275 000 by time of sale; profitable in year one.•Café: break-even within first six months of operation.

Toronto

•Twice elected by the York graduate student body to act as the primary advocate and representative for the over 4,500 graduate students at York University •Successfully transformed operations, by creating two new staff positions and developing an extensive and active network of volunteers. •Drove processes that led to important new university-wide policy in respect of: the design of new student spaces; better working conditions for student-employees, improved supervisory standards for faculty working with graduate students, guidelines for the university in respect of private research contracts, more open and permissive protocols around free speech and political participation; and intellectual property and whistleblower protection. •Developed and managed a successful campaign and referendum to increase GSA funding so as to make the organization financially stable.

•Twice elected to advocate for and represent over 50,000 graduate students at over 30 universities across Canada. •Improved the visibility of the CFS and the Caucus among students, university administrators and government policy-makers•Presented top-level research and policy advice to various organizations at numerous gatherings including the annual Canadian Association of Graduate Studies Conference, provincial and federal governmental hearings, as well as other policy-related conferences and round-tables. •Facilitated the expansion of the Caucus by bringing in new members and ameliorated conflict between existing member institutions. •Strengthened relationships with coalition partnerships, the construction of strong relationships amongst and between graduate student unions, and on helping undergraduates to appreciate how remarkably cool are graduate students.

Toronto, Canada Area

•Was among a small group of instructors who helped develop a university/degree-granting program, on-site at an auto-assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario. •Developed program and course curriculum to cater to junior managers, line-workers, and special trades who were interested in obtaining an undergraduate degree.•Numerous students sought-out and took every course I taught.

Toronto

•Successfully mitigated losses associated with contractors who had failed to perform per contractual requirements in large-scale commercial and institutional development projects. •Managed some 200 active litigations, including all negotiations/mediations. •Effectively negotiated resolution to several seemingly intractable litigations involving claims in excess of $250 000, thereby saving CGU tens of thousands.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Political Economy

My doctoral research was a comparative study of higher education and higher education policy in the US, the UK, and Ontario. More.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Political Economy