MSCI Inc.

Leading a high-performing and incredible team of Data and Business Analysts to drive revenue growth and protection. We transform complex, large-scale data into actionable insights and innovative solutions for Sales, Finance, Client Service, Marketing and Engineering.

Executive Director- Head of Client Intelligence at MSCI Inc

Driving productivity and enhancing client experiences through business analysis, data management, and Business Intelligence dashboard optimisation. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including technology, sales, finance, marketing, HR, procurement, and legal to implement Salesforce enhancements, self-service solutions, Business Intelligence dashboards and advanced technologies, such as AI, ML, and automation. 

Program/ Project manager for three significant programs: client intelligence, client self-service and lifecycle management, and AI data engineering and ML, driving efficiency and uncovering revenue opportunities.

Integrating AI/ML technologies into business processes for enhanced data-driven decision-making, revenue generation, protection, and efficiency gains for Sales, Marketing, Finance, and client services. 

Product Owner/ produced a centralised platform for Client Intelligence utilised by C - Suite executives, Sales, Finance, Product and Marketing. Currently achieving 500 daily report views and helped save and generate multi millions of $'s.

Created Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and delivered presentations to C-Suite and senior executive managers. 

Delivered 30+ projects across various business functions, demonstrating strong leadership and project management skills.

Executive Director- Project & Program Manager

Project and Portfolio Management- Business Technology:

Oversaw high-profile projects, by utilising agile delivery methodologies. Required to provide weekly updates and presentations to managing directors. Acted as product owner for enterprise data warehouse client coverage initiatives to improve internal tools to aid sales teams with client insights through PowerBI, automation, machine learning, and data analysis. Spearheaded execution of client portal, while redesigning client support site, and focused on integrating technology and business solutions for customer success management. Drove internal business technology team toward Azure by steering decommissioning of on-premise infrastructure and advocating for cloud upskilling, certifications, and architecture security. Co-operated with prestigious universities on technology and data-driven research projects. Leveraged Salesforce technology to launch online marketplace and refined client onboarding process for MSCI's ESG corporate clients.

Transitioned MSCI's internal business technology team to Azure for cloud adoption.

Provided BarraOne on Azure for Singapore-based clients by co-ordinating 40+ team members from various business areas.

Executed on a centralised Client Intelligence platform  by aligning tech solutions with business plans for enhanced client success management.

Established framework and engaged with stakeholders across organization to craft training sessions and identify key areas of focus for migrating from off-premise to on-premise infrastructure.

Vice President Project Manager

Project managed cross-functional team of 90 members. Led multiple infrastructure projects, while focusing on enhancements in network security and efficient server/hardware decommissions. Conducted research-focused projects in collaboration with Imperial and Stanford universities, while integrating academic insights into practical applications. Maintained rigorous project management standards by facilitating seamless transitions and minimising operational disruptions.

Managed decommissioning of hardware within on-premise Data Centers, resulting in cost savings of $500k.

Successfully carried out MSCI's leading risk solutions for the first time, Barra and Credit Manager to cloud (Azure) for demanding clients in Japan.

Senior Associate Project Manager

Lloyds Banking Group

Business and IT representative to the product and data owners. Leading and delivering projects via Scrum and Waterfall methodologies within the Root Cause Analysis team with focus on Customer complaints and data analytics.

Escalated client complaints through in-depth root cause analysis and data analytics. Co-ordinated project and sprint planning as liaison between business and IT, while ensuring alignment of objectives and cohesive strategy. Championed uniformity of communication across commercial and IT Business Units. Headed root cause analysis by using Splunk toolset, while attaining unprecedented co-operation with business users and securing agreement for new methodologies. Facilitated staff training and delivery of three key use cases. Steered debit cards scrum team by distributing six user stories and employing Scrum-based workshops, investigations, and questionnaires to gather stakeholder agreement from senior management.

Delivered key customer solutions by targeting highest pain points, resulting in improvements in customer satisfaction.

Pioneered use of Splunk for customer complaint analysis, resulting in enhanced resolution processes and staff proficiency.

Successfully transported two critical path workstreams within Falcon 6’s fraud detection program by contributing to on-time delivery of bank's most vital solution.

Lead IT Project Manager

IT Project Manager & Scrum Master: Root Cause Analysis

Business and IT representative to the product and data owners – collaborated on project / sprint planning. Controlled root cause analysis to manage and resolve customer complaints.

Used Splunk toolset with business users:
-	Secured agreement from tooling data owners
- Facilitated staff training and delivered 3 use cases.

Debit cards Scrum:
-	Delivered 6 Large Projects
-	Rolled out Scrum-rooted workshops, investigations and questionnaires with complaints staff
- Demonstrated significant stakeholder agreement - senior management and business functions

IT Project Manager

IT Project Manager: Change and Innovation

Developed two proofs of concept centered on artificial intelligence, security, and compliance, as well as robotics and Tableau data intelligence dashboards. Interacted with directors and head of systems to foster innovation and enthusiasm within firm. Directed project lifecycle from planning to control by using tools, such as JIRA, Confluence, Excel and Microsoft projects. Acted as main point of contact for all stakeholders, such as internal teams, third-party vendors, and offshore resources. Drove aspects of projects, including user acceptance testing, smoke testing, QA defects, product support, system health checks, service pack installations, incidents, problems, risks, threats, issues, out-of-hours support, technical/business documentation, training, reports, and manuals.

Facilitated access for 1K+ Falcon Debit Fraud users to new web-based applications via technical teams' co-operation/training. 

Recognised innovation opportunities and fostered partnerships across bank, leading to successful delivery of three projects for enhancing collaboration within organisation and customer solutions

•50/50 split role-Subject Matter Expert and Project Manager (User Access Management)

•	Direct report to Programme Manager, coordinated multiple cross-functional technical teams to deliver access for 1000+ Fraud users to the new web-based Fraud application
•	Project lifecycle control: 
o	planned – used Excel and MSP
o	managed all stakeholders – internal and 3rd party vendors / offshore
o	was IT and business point of contact


Controlled:
-User Acceptance Testing (UAT), smoke testing, QA defects, product support
-	System health checks and service pack installations
- Incidents / problems / risks / threats / issues
-	Out-of-hours support
- Technical and business documentation
-	Training, reports and manuals.
- Senior stakeholder engagement surveys and senior leadership event management.

IT Project Manager / SME

Subject Matter Expert-Financial Crime- Fraud Technician

Maintained understanding and appraisal of Falcon Fraud detection application, such as its interaction with bank's multiple systems and fraud lifecycle. Directed end-to-end project delivery: impact analysis, budgeting, design, development, coding, and testing. Conducted inspections/verifications of IT changes to ensure usability. Headed application testing: user acceptance testing and smoke tests. Sustained responsibility for COBOL, DB2, Unix development coding, and health checks/service pack installations. 

Oversaw quality assurance defect resolution and provided out-of-hours product assistance. 

Authored and retained technical documentation and reporting to verify transparency and accountability.

Authored code pivotal in devising the initial solution for bank's protection against fraud in contactless payments.

Subject Matter Expert Technician

Graduate Subject Matter Expert- Financial Crime- Fraud 

Led understanding of payment lifecycle, systems, and bank requirements for Falcon Debit, while guaranteeing compliance with financial regulations. Offered projects from initiation to closure by adhering to SME Technician role's standards. Co-ordinated with cross-functional teams to improve project delivery mechanisms and retain alignment with strategic business objectives. 

Appointed as spokesperson for Graduate Trainees' development initiatives.

Produced multiple code submissions crucial in bolstering bank's efforts against debit card fraud.

Subject Matter Expert

Peppermint Bars & Events

•	Enhanced my team building skills by working closely with the finance director, co-workers within the cash team, recruitment and the warehouse supervisors. 
•	Developed my knowledge in accounting, IT, business, finance, brand activation, advertising and the entertainment industry.
•	Developed management and teamwork skills when managing a cash team of over 50 members within the UK’s second largest festival. 
•	Enhanced my multi-tasking skills and customer service whilst working at the festivals and within the office.
•	Enhanced my mathematical, accounting and business knowledge when placed in charge of managing the company’s credit and debit invoices, stock purchases, stock projections and stock reconciliation. 
•	Assisted with the banking procedures using the SAGE software.
•	Aided with in-depth analysis and reports at the end of each event for the event organisers and for future stock and cash projections.
•	Project managed an event named Circo Loco in Birmingham. 
•	Worked closely with some of the UK’s biggest suppliers of beverages as well as G4S to manage the stock and cash flow of the company. 
•	ATM engineer. 
•	Responsible for programming cash tills using the CV10 Casio software.

Cash Manager and Stock Assistant

Leading a high-performing and incredible team of Data and Business Analysts to drive revenue growth and protection. We transform complex, large-scale data into actionable insights and innovative solutions for Sales, Finance, Client Service, Marketing and Engineering.
Product Manager for an internal Client Intelligence tool.

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APM, AZ900 (Azure Fundamentals), Prince 2 (Foundation), ITIL Service Management (Foundation) qualified. 

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Akbar is a Financial Computing graduate with IT retail banking and financial services experience. Akbar is a qualified, experienced and confident IT Project Manager who has a passion for working through tricky challenges and projects. A consistent high performer (Top performance rating received since graduation), who enjoys his job because it involves working with multiple people, with different backgrounds, skills and interests, to achieve a joint objective. 

Open to provide mentoring or coaching. Passionate about helping others achieve above, what they believe they can achieve, through encouragement to challenge  themselves, work smart and never stop learning.

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