Deirdre Killilea
Executive Operations and Project Specialist
Abu Dhabi
Summary
I began as a dedicated Executive Assistant, mastering precision, anticipation, and stakeholder care. Curious about how technology could elevate execution, I deliberately upskilled into AI, cloud, and governance, stepping into unfamiliar territory and turning it into capability. That choice leaning into what once felt intimidating taught me how to connect people, process, and tech to deliver clarity and results. Today I blend both worlds: the EA discipline that keeps leaders protected and focused, and project governance & transformation skills that shape scalable structures, smarter decisions, and accountable delivery. This dual perspective lets me bring order to complexity, align cross-functional teams, and move programmes forward an edge in the UAE’s fast-moving AI and digital ecosystem.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Executive Specialist, Special Projects
Core42 (Part of G42 Group)
01.2023 - Current
- Designed governance frameworks aligning Legal, Product, and Commercial divisions for seamless delivery.
- Managed Microsoft partnership governance: ensuring operational alignment across Build-With, Sell-With, and Sell-To workstreams.
- Partnered with Gartner to benchmark product capabilities and inform GTM strategy.
- Created handover documentation, product research libraries, and contract execution guidance.
- Built Power BI dashboards integrated with Azure Fabric for program tracking and reporting.
- Ecosystem orchestration: Facilitated Core42–Microsoft–client engagement (account introductions, joint pursuit planning, and stakeholder alignment) to ensure unified strategies for high-value clients and stronger bid positioning.
- Post-GITEX growth engine: Designed and ran multi-wave lead-generation (Wave 1 triage → Wave 2 qualification → Wave 3 discovery workshops), operationalised Salesforce tracking, and produced cadence dashboards for pipeline hygiene and conversion.
- Gartner utilisation & research ops: Defined best-practice use of the Gartner agreement (inquiries, briefings, toolkits) and embedded outputs into the Product Research Library to inform capability roadmaps and GTM moves.
- Led cross-functional teams to successfully execute special projects, improving operational efficiency and project delivery timelines.
- Developed and implemented strategic project plans that enhanced resource allocation and streamlined workflows across multiple initiatives.
- Facilitated stakeholder meetings to gather requirements and align project objectives, resulting in increased stakeholder satisfaction and engagement.
Executive Project Manager to Group CEO
Publicis Groupe
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Calendar ownership: Exercised meticulous, end-to-end control—sequencing priorities, building buffers, and aligning stakeholders so every meeting had a clear purpose and outcome.
- Gatekeeping & pre-read intelligence: Investigated meeting context in advance, vetted attendees, and confirmed whether the CEO’s time was the highest-value use; when appropriate, routed topics to empowered deputies.
- Itineraries & logistics design: Built precision travel itineraries with point-to-point mapping to minimise transit time; clustered meetings by location, prepared briefing packs, and ensured realistic transfer windows and access requirements.
- Travel strategy & upgrades: A strategist and maestro of executive travel secured upgrades and optimised routes, venues, and turnaround times to maximise executive readiness and comfort.
- Briefings & debriefs: Issued concise pre-reads and captured post-meeting actions with owners and deadlines, driving consistent follow-through.
- Strategic operations partner: Evolved from elite EA support into a project & transformation specialist; introduced reporting structures and streamlined approvals, improving executive turnaround and decision transparency.
- Stakeholder & event leadership: Directed global events (VivaTech, Cannes Lions, FIFA World Cup activations) with VIP client alignment; mentored EA teams on process discipline and cross-department work plans.
- Process improvement: Audited operations and implemented improvements across finance, HR, and commercial functions.
- Spearheaded cross-functional initiatives, aligning project objectives with business strategy and enhancing overall operational efficiency.
- Managed stakeholder engagement processes, ensuring timely communication and fostering collaborative relationships to drive project success.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive project plans, optimizing resource allocation to meet organizational goals and timelines.
- Oversaw budget management processes, ensuring financial accountability and maximizing return on investment for projects.
- Enhanced team collaboration with cross-functional departments, ensuring seamless communication and alignment of objectives.
Senior Executive Assistant to CEO & MD
PHD Media MENA
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Calendar mastery & prioritisation: Ran multi-timezone calendars; sequenced critical-path activities; aligned materials and expectations ahead of every engagement.
- Travel & route optimisation: Engineered door-to-door itineraries with accurate transfer times, venue logistics, and contingency buffers; grouped meetings geographically to reduce friction and fatigue; proactively secured upgrades and optimised seating for productivity.
- Meeting architecture: Prepared agendas, attendee lists, and pre-reads; captured actions and owners; tracked follow-through to closure.
- Executive support & governance: Delivered executive-level support to CEO and MD, ensuring governance discipline and project continuity; liaised across leadership, finance, HR, and client teams to drive accountability.
- RFPs & tenders: Led large-scale tenders and pitch programs, coordinating resources and timelines (foundation for later product/RFP redesign).
- Events & partnerships: Orchestrated internal/external events and quarterly townhalls; partner deep-dives with Google, Meta, Twitter.
- Recognition: Recipient of PHD Extra Mile Award 2019 (Omnicom Media Group).
- Streamlined executive scheduling and calendar management, enhancing CEO's productivity and optimizing time allocation for strategic initiatives.
- Coordinated high-level meetings and events, ensuring seamless logistics and fostering effective communication among stakeholders.
- Managed confidential correspondence and sensitive information, ensuring adherence to privacy standards and organizational protocols.
- Assisted in the preparation of strategic reports and presentations, contributing to informed decision-making and organizational growth.
- Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team and senior management group.
Senior Executive Assistant
Ernst & Young (EY)
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Supported multiple Partners with client management, engagement tracking, and governance documentation.
Office Manager
Iteco Oilfield Supply (DMCC)
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Oversaw operational transition from JAFZA to DMCC, managing regulatory and licensing frameworks.
Education
Advanced Diploma - Digital Marketing
University of Dubai
01.2020
Diploma - Marketing, Sales, Advertising & PR
Griffith College
Limerick01.2007
Certificate - Information Technology
Limerick Senior College
01.2000
Skills
Core Competencies
Program Governance Process Design RFP & SOP Redesign
KPI Frameworks CEF Compliance
Contract Resolution Open Contract Surgery Facilitation
Business–Legal Alignment Governance Policy Standardisation
Cross-Functional Orchestration GTM Enablement
Technical Experience (Tools & Platforms)
Cloud & Data: Microsoft Azure Fabric Power BI Copilot Data Governance
PM/Collab: JIRA Azure DevOps Planner Confluence ServiceNow
CRM/Reporting: Salesforce CRM Client Dashboards
Accomplishments
- Governance frameworks: Unified Legal–Product–Commercial; cut delays by ~40%.
- Open Contract Surgery: Legal–business forum; -35% turnaround.
- RFP / product process: Standardised phase-gates, milestones, and compliance sign-offs.
- Microsoft alliance: Governed $1.5B Build-With / Sell-With / Sell-To workstreams.
- Ecosystem & pipeline: Aligned Core42 × Microsoft × clients; post-GITEX multi-wave cadences; added new logos in Salesforce.
- Gartner utilisation: Structured inquiries/briefings; built research library; informed GTM decisions.
- Operational continuity: Handover booklets, Product Research Library, CEF playbooks.
- Insight & reporting: Power BI on Azure Fabric dashboards for exec program health.
- Market analysis: Trend & competitor mapping; clarified differentiation.
- Cross-functional governance: Clear meeting architectures, owners, and SLAs to ensure follow-through.
Timeline
Project Executive Specialist, Special Projects
Core42 (Part of G42 Group)
01.2023 - Current
Executive Project Manager to Group CEO
Publicis Groupe
01.2021 - 01.2023
Senior Executive Assistant to CEO & MD
PHD Media MENA
01.2017 - 01.2020
Senior Executive Assistant
Ernst & Young (EY)
01.2015 - 01.2017
Office Manager
Iteco Oilfield Supply (DMCC)
01.2013 - 01.2015
Diploma - Marketing, Sales, Advertising & PR
Griffith College
Certificate - Information Technology
Limerick Senior College
Advanced Diploma - Digital Marketing
University of Dubai