IRO BAKA
Head Of Operations And Programmes
Athens
Summary
I am an ambitious and results-oriented professional who has worked as Head of Programmes and Operations and Senior Consultant in Financial Services departments focusing on digital transformations, regulatory and risk compliance, and business restructuring across the banking, government, and insurance sectors. In my career, I have demonstrated exceptional data handling & technology skills focusing on financial modelling and systems. I also have excellent leadership and collaboration skills, encouraging a “thinking out of the box” mentality and openness in communications. Solving complex problems is one of my strongest suits as I can effectively analyze situations and develop innovative solutions.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Head of Operations & Programmes
Odyssea, NGO
3 2023 - Current
- Oversee planning and execution of 16 programs to ensure KPIs are met
- Lead and manage a team of 16 employees, motivating them to achieve peak performance
- Conduct quarterly/monthly reporting across all stakeholders/donors
- Develop a series of SOPs across all departments/functions
- Support CEO in the development and implementation of strategies to meet long-term funding needs
- Cultivate and expand relationships with existing and prospective donors and sponsors
- Deliver, coordinate and facilitate events across programme activities.
Head of Programmes
METAdrasi, NGO, Integration
04.2021 - 03.2023
- Coordination and implementation of programme and its relevant KPIs
- Monitoring and reviewing of programme priorities and risks
- Managing a team of 12 employees and their deliverables (cross-country team)
- Responsible for job counseling, job interview preparations and all recruitment processes of the population served
- Stakeholder and donor engagement, to ensure programme success
- Organising career events and facilitating seminars for professional skills development.
Senior Consultant
EY (Ernst & Young), Consulting, Financial Services
- 03.2021
- Main client projects: Global Bank BoE Policy Implementation on Resolvability l Global Bank IFRS9 Credit Risk l Insurance Companies IFRS17 Finance, Risk & Actuarial l Global Retail Bank, Cost Reduction and Target Operating Model Redesign
- Developed current & target operating models - processes, technology, governance, and people
- Created financial/cost & benefit models - agile & waterfall projects
- Designed the process & control frameworks and detailed taxonomy (incl
- End to end process maps)
- Ran a global reporting reconciliation framework across multiple financial technology systems
- Led the analysis and assessment of current data & system architecture (incl
- Testing maturity)
- Produced multiple automation templates and tools
- Created a series of presentations for project reporting, progress updates and stakeholder engagement
- Managed stakeholders by proactively building positive relationships and seeking their input when relevant
- Developed detailed project plans with relevant activities & milestones.
Consultant
Capita Transformation Consulting, Financial Services
11.2015 - 08.2017
- Main client projects: UK County & City Councils, Digital Transformations l UK Ministry of Defence, Technology Transformation l UK Ministry of Justice, Infrastructure Implementation l Global Retail Bank, Cost Reduction and Target Operating Model Redesign
- Designed robust and reusable financial benefits models for identifying digital solutions
- Implemented automatic reporting tools capable of tracking and monitoring complex data
- Formulated business plans across multiple departments, conducting needs assessments
- Coordinated team activities in technology implementations (sprint sessions)
- Performed financial analyses for every project based on client milestones and savings profiles
- Created a range of project plans tailored to specific organisational needs and objectives
- Actively collaborated with stakeholders through extensive engagement strategies, which involved conducting insightful one-on-one interviews
- Oversaw and directed a dynamic team of 3 individuals, providing leadership and guidance to ensure seamless collaboration and optimum performance.
Supply Chain Financial Analyst
GE Energy, Financial Management Programme
01.2015
- Obsolescence Review Project: Established a monthly process on the calculation of Inventory Obsolescence and made forecasts for the following quarter – Coordinated team decisions on the treatment of obsolete items
- Variable Cost Productivity Analysis: Conducted extensive analysis of key cost drivers – Identified areas for cost savings and productivity improvements
- Direct Material Productivity Project: Conducted cost-effectiveness analysis and successfully recommended cost-saving areas by collaborating with the company’s sourcing team
- Inventory Cycle Counting Process: Developed and implemented a monthly process in conjunction with Team Leaders for Inventory Assessment
- Profit Margin Expansion: Achieved a 30% reduction in Obsolescence and accomplished a reduction in variable costs.
Financial Analyst
GE Oil & Gas (Financial Controllership)
10.2013 - 01.2015
- Coordinated a multi-regional monthly and quarterly closing process
- Established a new process on General Ledger Region Consolidation Trial Balances
- Initiated a project to improve use of the Hyperion System
- Reconciled and monitored specific accounts
- Created a standard template for analysis of certain accounts leading to time efficiency and accuracy of process
- Developed a smart library to track Travel and Living Expenses
- Responsible for consolidating the Regional Trial Balances on a monthly and quarterly Basis
- Financial Journal Preparation/Posting and Account Reconciliation
- Oracle/AS400 System Maintenance: Creation of new customers and suppliers, Sub Ledger and General Ledger account maintenance.
Education
MSc Finance -
Warwick Business School, University of Warwick
09.2012 - 05.2013
BSc International and European Economics - undefined
Athens University of Economics and Business
09.2008 - 05.2012
Skills
Programme Management
Digital Transformation
Operations Management
Data & Reporting Analysis
Microsoft Office Suite
Oracle (Bravo, Pascal)
Leadership
Coaching and Mentoring
Websites
Personal Information
Hobbies: Sports – running, basketball, hiking, Arts – abstract painting, sketching, pottery, Reading – books on economic & political thought, psychology, innovation, philosophy & science
Training
- 04/01/09, Global Management Challenge, Contestant, Led a Management Simulation team, responsible for running a Company and aiming to achieve the highest share price on the simulated Stock Exchange (made it to the 2nd round)
- 09/01/05, 09/01/07, Model of United Nations (MUN), Croatia’s representative in the UN simulated session, Debated and developed within sharp time limits optimal solutions to address world problems
Languages
Greek
Native language
English
Proficient
C2
French
Upper intermediate
B2
Spanish
Elementary
A2
Timeline
Head of Programmes
METAdrasi, NGO, Integration
04.2021 - 03.2023
Consultant
Capita Transformation Consulting, Financial Services
11.2015 - 08.2017
Supply Chain Financial Analyst
GE Energy, Financial Management Programme
01.2015
Financial Analyst
GE Oil & Gas (Financial Controllership)
10.2013 - 01.2015
MSc Finance -
Warwick Business School, University of Warwick
09.2012 - 05.2013
BSc International and European Economics - undefined
Athens University of Economics and Business
09.2008 - 05.2012
Head of Operations & Programmes
Odyssea, NGO
3 2023 - Current
Senior Consultant
EY (Ernst & Young), Consulting, Financial Services
- 03.2021