Neil is available for hire
Hire NeilNeil Zimmerman
Verified Expert in Project Management
Project Manager
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Toptal member since August 25, 2021
Bio
Neil is a PMI-ACP certified PM professional with an MBA and 30+ years of experience. Technically minded with a passion for digital technology, media, software, and high-tech manufacturing, he's a strong leader committed to leading high-performing teams, collaborating with stakeholders, and applying best practice standards. He's confident managing the full project lifecycle, with a proven track record of delivering quality infrastructure, product, and software projects within budget and on time.
Project Highlights
Ad-funded Free Wifi Marketplace
Launched the largest advertising-funded free wifi marketing network in South Africa.
Transit TV
Launched a narrowcast media marketing system comprising 1,000 digital screens deployed nationally in 16-seater people movers for a media owner.
True Soulmates — Dating Site
Managed the development of an Afro-centric dating site for distribution in various African countries.
Expertise
- Agile Project Management
- Business Management
- Jira
- Media Management
- Project Management
- Scrum
- Teams
- WiFi
Work Experience
Technology Project Manager
2019 - PRESENT
Citycare Group
- Served as a project manager of an Agile team, developing an asset management and scheduling tool. Took over a floundering project in September 2019 and managed to turn it around and successfully deliver on schedule by the end of August 2020.
- Managed remotely the change management, training, integration, and implementation of the pilot site for the asset management software delivered in April 2021.
- Led the change management, training, integration, and implementation of the asset management software into a large city contract and launched the new instance on July 1, 2021.
Project and Business Manager
2011 - 2019
Planet Limited T/A Gopin Technologies South Africa
- Managed the development of an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), WhatsApp, and message-based gaming platform to supplement online gaming. It was built to provide users with limited mobile data to access the games.
- Led the design, building, and deployment of 54 online music distribution eCommerce shops. A methodology and system for content management, conversion, and ingestion were also a part of this project.
- Spearheaded the design, build, software development, and implementation of a wifi-enabled information and help kiosk.
Media Project Manager
2013 - 2018
Nowonline Technologies
- Managed the design, software development, implementation, and national rollout of the largest advertising-funded, free-to-use wifi network in South Africa.
- Led the development of Ad Control, a web-based digital marketing campaign and wifi management software for managing multiple campaigns over multiple regions.
- Oversaw the design and development of Solar WiFi, a modular solar-powered wifi solution. It provided a plug-and-play pop-up wifi solution anywhere where mobile network coverage existed.
Operations Manager
2011 - 2013
Digital Media Technology
- Managed the deployment and ongoing business management of a narrowcast TV station for entertaining and advertising to waiting patients in municipal clinics.
- Developed, deployed, and managed a Bluetooth proximity marketing solution.
- Marketed and produced a daily e-magazine, distributed via a Bluetooth marketing system.
Project and Business Manager
2006 - 2011
Wynley Projects
- Managed the design, sourcing, and implementation of Transit TV, a narrowcast media display system comprising 1,000 digital screens deployed nationally in 16 seater people movers (taxis) for a media owner.
- Designed and managed the building of a GigRig – a mobile advertising vehicle with extending stage, LED screen, sound system, and storage for a media company.
- Designed, sourced, and managed the erection of a video wall at King Shaka International Airport for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Operations Manager
2004 - 2006
Massiv Media
- Managed the development of a turnkey solution, including electronics, hardware, and software for Massiv TV, an in-taxi digital advertising system, using bespoke software and leading-edge satellite technology to update content into moving vehicles.
- Set up a process to train, distribute, and install paint and window protection and American patented car protection film system. The project included importing the product, logistics, and national distribution.
- Raised business expansion capital by generating the financial documentation and business plan, resulting in the company being awarded ZAR 46,000,000 from the South African Industrial Development Council.
Technical Manager
2001 - 2004
Tier One Distribution
- Designed the plastic moldings and electrical wiring kits for the installation of multimedia equipment into Land Rover, Jaguar, and MG cars. The moldings and wiring are connected directly to the OEM equipment of the vehicle.
- Designed, set up, and managed the Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) in SA. MECP is a training and certification course for mobile electronics installers.
- Managed the warehouse logistics, receiving imported products, repackaging and distributing to national dealers. Maintained all records, stock, couriers, and repairs.
Production Manager
1986 - 2001
Printed Circuit Laboratories
- Designed and perfected the methodology and process, which enabled Printed Circuit Laboratories to be the first company to manufacture flexible and 12-layer printed circuit boards in South Africa.
- Collaborated closely with electronic engineers in various areas of electronics, assisting not only in the prototyping stage of their projects but also in designing for manufacture.
- Wrote all standard operating procedures (SOPs) and user manuals for the ISO 9000 manufacturing methodology and managed the full implementation of same into the company.
Project History
Ad-funded Free Wifi Marketplace
https://www.nowonline.ioLaunched the largest advertising-funded free wifi marketing network in South Africa.
Designed and managed the implementation of the largest free-to-use wifi network in South Africa. The implementation included hardware, site surveys, software development, device configuration, media sales, and ongoing media sales and network management.
The network was averaging 150,000 daily connections per day when I sold it in 2018.
The network was averaging 150,000 daily connections per day when I sold it in 2018.
Transit TV
https://www.transitads.co.za/product/transit-tv/Launched a narrowcast media marketing system comprising 1,000 digital screens deployed nationally in 16-seater people movers for a media owner.
Managed the design, development, and installation of the first mobile screen advertising system for taxis in South Africa. The launch of this advertising medium was unique in 2006, and it enabled the media company to go to market with a new, unique, and valuable sales proposition.
My project team installed 1,000 screens over a two-year period and we ramped up the offering to capitalize on the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
This project paved the way for the company, which continues to be the leader in all areas of transit media marketing.
My project team installed 1,000 screens over a two-year period and we ramped up the offering to capitalize on the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
This project paved the way for the company, which continues to be the leader in all areas of transit media marketing.
True Soulmates — Dating Site
Managed the development of an Afro-centric dating site for distribution in various African countries.
Remotely managed the design and development of an online dating website. It was designed to be simple to use and would accept vouchers and mobile payments. Software is currently in beta testing and will be launched at the end of August 2021.
Education
1999 - 2002
Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA)
Oxford Brookes University - Oxford, UK
Certifications
MARCH 2022 - MARCH 2027
Change Management Practitioner
APMG International
AUGUST 2021 - PRESENT
Scrum Fundamentals Certified
SCRUMstudy
JUNE 2020 - MAY 2023
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
JUNE 2008 - JUNE 2024
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Skills
Tools
Jira, Spreadsheets, Trello, Slack, Zoom, Miro, GitHub, Figma
Paradigms
Agile Project Management, Scrum, Agile, Change Management
Platforms
SharePoint, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Linux
Other
Project Management, Teams, Business Management, WiFi, Software Development, Media Management, Hardware, Online Dating, Web, Web Security, Online Payments, SSL Certificates, eCommerce, Card Payments, PayPal, Shops, Healthcare & Insurance, Gaming, Software Design, Media, Extreme Programming, Training, Design, Computer Repair, Troubleshooting, Production, Quality Auditing, Quality Control (QC), Manufacturing, Lean Manufacturing, Change Leadership
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