Erick Leiva Lopez
Verified Expert in Project Management
Project Manager
With over 15 years of diverse experience in the IT industry, Erick is a value-focused, diligent, and solutions-driven senior project director and cloud architect, delivering cost-effective, high-performance, and secure technology solutions and software applications using hybrid methodologies. Erick is a creative thinker and analytical problem solver with a deep knowledge of the latest technology trends, which allows him to orchestrate sustained innovation.
Project Highlights
Expertise
Work Experience
Project Manager
Syngenta
- Managed the AWS Terraform automation and domain migration and delivered the most critical applications through prioritization and a well-organized project team.
- Managed developers, DevOps engineers, and cloud architects through the codification of the application's IT security best practices to ensure business continuity and efficiency.
- Gained hands-on experience in IT security by learning and applying the most important design foundations in cloud security such as identity, traceability, automation, security at all layers, data protection, and preparing for incidents.
Program Manager
Syngenta
- Reported to the global head of cloud services and automation, handling the end-to-end planning and execution of OS and DB modernizations of all Syngenta applications and services globally, a $2 million investment program.
- Delivered projects within scope, time, and budget and provided the organizations with an additional $500,000 yearly in cost savings through implementing different IT strategies and architecture.
- Developed the SOW and contracts for up to five providers, managed their resources and budget, led multidisciplinary teams with different goals, and coordinated and executed projects with more than 100 employees globally.
Project Manager
Syngenta
- Joined the Global Cloud Services team and delivered—within scope, time, and budget—the migration of all possible applications and services from the branch to the AWS and Azure cloud, including one of the most business-critical applications.
- Gained confidence by showing sustained successful migrations from all business units and coordinated with country IT managers, technical leads, and providers across the globe to plan, execute, and monitor all migrations to the cloud.
- Demonstrated my ability to manage complex IT programs and teams (50+) and apply Waterfall and Agile methodologies, being flexible according to business constraints and dependencies.
Senior Technical Project Manager
SunGard Availability Services
- Directed the implementation of IT infrastructure and recovery projects in a very fast-paced environment, making efficient project plans and assessing risks to meet customer dates.
- Transformed business requirements into IT solutions, working with interdisciplinary teams from multiple countries and organizations, and identified new business opportunities based on customer needs.
- Provided expert oversight to the PMO office by improving portfolio tracking, processes, and mentorship. Achieved important cost savings opportunities and developed contractual documentation.
- Launched new products and services, serving as a subject matter expert for their development and implementation. Displayed excellent leadership in directing project teams to manage the workload and human resource issues.
- Provided technical expertise on complex cloud IT solutions, infrastructure, AWS, SAP implementations, OS, networking, security, hosting, circuit, recovery solutions, IPS/IDS Alert Logic, and security implementations.
- Recognized as a top performer in customer satisfaction and awarded the Sungard AS Circle of Excellence. Demonstrated excellent problem-solving skills, managing internal and external escalations from customers.
Senior Regional Portfolio and Project Manager
BAC Credomatic
- Directed the CIO portfolio and the implementation of $1 million programs in eight countries using hybrid methodologies. Joined the BAC Credomatic Executive Succession Program.
- Executed strategic action plans to meet the delivery enterprise objectives, reporting to C-level executives. Ensured audit compliance across the PMO team to keep standards and certifications. Improved processes and tools.
- Led the agility transformation, directing all initiatives for the organization, leading all aspects including training and mentoring, being a pioneer on SAFe, Agile methodologies, UX, and design thinking with internal and 3rd-party resources.
- Exceeded sponsor expectations by sharing the vision and gaining collaboration from directors, business owners, and leads to deliver projects on time.
- Directed the implementation of the main banking web and mobile application, the transactional back-end application, a new Security Operations Center, and the ITSM process, to mention some of the strategic initiatives.
ISP Network Engineer
Grupo ICE
- Managed an ISP network of over 1,000 systems, including Cisco routers, switches, and firewalls ranging from Cisco 1200x to 600x.
- Made changes in the core network, including BGP, VPN, ACLs, and trunk connections.
- Acquired extensive knowledge in CCNP routing and switching and telecommunications, including IPTV, 3G, and 4G networks.
Technical Project Manager
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Played a leadership role supervising cross-functional teams through the purchase, installation, and configuration of networking solutions for Bank of America data centers.
- Provided technical input and solution design to customers to facilitate teamwork.
- Managed the project's success, cost savings on procurements, and customer satisfaction.
- Controlled all lifecycle project constraints around all PMI knowledge areas and projects (one year and $0.5 million).
- Played a strategic role, leading, innovating, and executing the Engineer to Zero Project and marking it across the region. Reduced the operational workforce by 30%.
- Achieved the highest performance rate and won the Spirits Award at HP Inkspiration Awards.
Middleware Consultant
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Played a strategic role in leading and innovating different teams and processes.
- Achieved the highest performance rate and won the Spirits Award at HP Inkspiration Awards.
- Acquired expert skills as a Unix administrator, using WebLogic, WebSphere, and shell scripting.
Project Manager
CPT Consultores
- Managed metrics and deliverables of the different stakeholders, including designers, engineers, and administrators.
- Developed Microsoft Project plans to manage scope, resources, and time.
- Integrated resources to work together in a very collaborative environment.
Project History
App OS and DB Cloud Modernization
Completed the migration to the cloud of business-critical applications, upgraded the OS, modernized applications and DBs (migrations to cloud-native solutions), and decommissioned unused assets.
• Succeeded by delivering the projects within scope, time, and budget and providing an additional $500,000 yearly in cost savings to the organizations by implementing different IT strategies and architectures.
• Developed the SOW and contracts for up to five providers, managing their resources and budget and leading multidisciplinary teams with different goals to coordinate and execute projects with more than 200+ employees globally.
Security Operations Center
Implemented the SOC for a major regional bank in a complex environment composed of eight countries.
• Developed the technical documentation to acquire the best SOC solution with end-to-end case analysis and threat response abilities.
• Delivered the project in different releases across the region with continual process improvement.
Modernization of Authorizers
Reduced the program duration from five to three years after receiving it with a bad forecast. Achieved cost savings of $0.5 million as a pioneer of Agile methodologies in a hybrid model.
• Led all aspects of follow-on training and mentoring activities of Agile methodologies to internal and 3rd-party resources.
• Worked with directors from all business units as the development team communicated with all bank services in a sensitive environment.
• Gained better architecture flexibility to add more services by ensuring the application of software best practices.
SEC Application Development
Delivered immediate business value after a failed project by applying design thinking and user experience methodologies.
• Developed workshops with the end users to identify pain points and most common use cases to change the business and development team mindset.
• Led a team of 25 developers working on application development of the front end to make use of the back end for the end customer.
• Enabled business value by getting end users to take advantage of the developed features of an unused one-year project.
Mobile Application Development
Developed a successful business model, designed the architecture, and led the development of a complex web and mobile application, acquiring new investors.
• Designed a successful business model with different phases to monetize the application.
• Designed a secure and scalable architecture in the cloud.
• Directed the team toward the use of current solutions, keeping the development as simple as possible.
IPS/IDS Implementation Program
https://www.alertlogic.com/Designed and implemented IT security solutions including Alert Logic and Cisco firewalls for 30+ customers as per company strategy.
• Had a deep understanding of the events and correlations to use standard rules or create customer-specific events.
Education
Master's Degree in Project Management
University for International Cooperation - San Jose, Costa Rica
Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computers, and Networks
Universidad de Costa Rica - San Jose, Costa Rica
Associate Degree in Computer Systems and Networks
Tecnologico de Costa Rica - San Jose, Costa Rica
Certifications
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
AWS
Design Thinking Professional Certificate
Certiprof
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
The Council for Six Sigma Certification
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
COBIT
Pearson Vue
ITIL Foundation Certification
Pearson Vue
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Cisco Certified Network Associate Routing and Switching (CCNA Routing and Switching)
Cisco Systems
Skills
Tools
Microsoft Project, Asana, Jira
Paradigms
Design Thinking, Management, Agile Project Management, UX Design, Requirements Analysis, Scrum, COBIT, Agile
Industry Expertise
Telecommunications
Platforms
Unix, Windows, WebSphere, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Other
Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), AWS Certified Solution Architect, Project Management, IT Projects, IT Networking, Agile Coaching, Technical Project Management, Startups, Cross-functional Collaboration, Innovation, User Research, Business Analysis, Certified Project Manager, IT Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, Networks, IP Networks, Cisco, CCNA, ITIL V3 Foundation Certified, IT Management, Release Train Engineer (RTE), Delivery Management, PMO, Electrical Engineering, Embedded Hardware, C++, Hardware Development, Oracle WebLogic Application Server, Databases, Unix Shell Scripting, CCNP, User Experience (UX), Cloud Migration, Stakeholder Management, Cloud Architecture, IT Security, Cloud Security, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Process Improvement
How to Work with Toptal
Toptal matches you directly with global industry experts from our network in hours—not weeks or months.
Share your needs
Choose your talent
Start your risk-free talent trial
Top talent is in high demand.
Start hiring