Curriculum Vitae for Dean Latchana - New Media Technical Project Manager

As a Technical Project Manager currently employed at the BBC I play a central role in the management of key projects and services run for my department. I support the development and launch of new media projects, products and services on a range of delivery platforms, as well as facilitate the work of multi-disciplinary teams to ensure high performance in accordance with an overall strategy.

I work on a wide range of digital platforms including online, mobile, interactive TV and fully integrated digital media & TV production propositions.

I am charged with identifying the resource and personnel requirements for a portfolio of projects and operational services. I manage the assignment of staff on a day-to-day operational level and through to a wider strategic level in a changing business environment. Team size typical varies between a dozen and two dozen individuals in different locations and with a multitude of skillsets (developers, software-engineers, designers, webmasters, IA, UX specialists, user testers, team leaders).

I proactively manage the implementation of projects throughout their lifecycle, ensuring that they are delivered on time, to budget and specification, and that appropriate methodologies are employed. I have a wealth of experience in identifying and preempting issues and risks. I am able to monitor and control risks and issues and devise effective mitigation.

I provide effective project and service reporting as required, and ensure that appropriate project documentation is written at each stage of a project lifecycle.

I am adept at maintaining a good relationship with colleagues in a broad range of disciplines and at different levels of seniority within the department, in other divisions, and with commercial partners and in external businesses.

I manage delivery relationships with internal and external partners, and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and project sponsors using appropriate means, escalating issues as required.

I have a wealth of experience managing and motivating project teams and supporting collaborative working. This is particularly with teams distributed in many locations across the country.

Interests in the changing digital media environment

I've a keen interest in the rapidly changing media landscape, particularly how consumer habits are changing. I'm interested in how broadcasters must adapt their tactics to integrate with a wide number of delivery platforms and consumer lifestyle in a commercially demanding business environment. I understand the importance of how a diverse and integrated offering of both digital media and tradition services can address the challenges and opportunities of a modern broadcaster and digital content providers.

Key involvements and achievements

• Technical lead in the development, maintenance and ongoing improvements on all BBC channel sites
• Ongoing technical responsibilities for the bbc.co.uk/programmes domain of services
• Technical lead in the multi-award winner Big Cat offering in 2009, which integrated multiple live webcam streams and mobile UGC services from Kenya, plus integrated audience participation on TV and online.
• Technical lead for the ongoing development for online and mobile EPGs
• Introduction of Scrum into many development projects