Sima Qafiti
Program Manager
Dubai
Summary
I am an experienced Global Program Manager, Strategy and Transformation professional with over 10 years of experience running Strategic Initiatives in the Information Technology Industry primarily supporting the Partner Ecosystem Channel Sales Business.
I am eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail, and collaboration across the organization.
Whilst growing partners, I developed a reputation for putting partner first - problem solving and improving partner success, satisfaction, and brand advocacy.
I am motivated to learn, grow, and excel laterally in the selling profession with a focus on Artificial Intelligence.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
5
5
Certifications
Work History
Partner Experience Advocacy and Engagement Leader
IBM Middle East & Africa
Dubai
03.2021 - Current
- Engaged new partners through IBM’s concierge program aligning them to IBM partner business models, ensuring their awareness and utilization of the IBM PartnerWorld Program Benefits -Understanding partner business and technology interest and aligning them with other teams at IBM
- Advised MEA Leadership Team on partner advocacy through IBM’s Net Promoter Score Program, including partner participation, key pervasive issues, and score trends
- Explored and adopted automation and analytics opportunities, and AI embed, to enhance NPS management system process globally
- Analyzed and reported on NPS comment analysis data to advise transformation teams (such as Research, User Experience, and Program Design Teams)
- Devised strategies to modernize operations and revamp procedures to improve institution operations.
- Reported to Global Senior Manager, Partner Experience Advocacy and Engagement
Partner Ecosystem Strategy and Transformation Leader
IBM Middle East and Africa
Dubai
02.2019 - 02.2021
- Designed and led the Partner NPS management system in MEA, managing the details, delegating, enabling key players, communicating executive status, analyzing data and highlighting partner pain points.
- Designed and led Partner competencies initiative in MEA, setting goals by region and enabling teams on the ground to take necessary actions to grow IBM partners
- Championed ecosystem skills in the region; both internal and external by acting as a focal point in MEA for all skills initiatives for Partner Ecosystem for IBM and Partners.
- Created plans and communicated deadlines to complete projects on time.
- Prepared (occasionally) sales executive review reports; with details on the performance status of the business, and the development plans in place to reach targets.
- Reported to the VP of Partner Ecosystem in MEA
Channel Software Technical Sales Leader
IBM Middle East & Africa
Dubai
02.2015 - 02.2019
- Designed, Planned, and Led Initiatives to grow IBM skills in the IBM channel ecosystem
- Facilitated technical workshops for Business Partners
- Aligned with Value Added Distributors
- Strategized and planned a quarterly enablement schedule for Business Partners
- Contributed on the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Technical Strategy Board in MEA
- Innovated for improved internal processes for SaaS adoption
- Reviewed SaaS accounts for adoption excellence, identified issues and provided solutions to problems
- Reported to the Director of Software Channel Sales in MEA
Strategic Initiatives Leader, Software Technical
IBM Middle East & Africa
Dubai
10.2012 - 02.2015
- Lead Strategic Initiatives in the Software Group Technical Sales Team across MEA critical to business success
- Drafted progress reports for senior leadership, outlining important performance metrics and outstanding individual contributors.
- Produced group communications
- Ensured operational excellence
- Influenced key stakeholders
- Supported opportunities for emerging software in Smarter Cities (Technical Pre-Sales)
- Demonstrated and Presented Proof of Technology of IBM Solution to Clients
- Reported to the Director of Software Technical Sales & Services in MEA
Graduate Program in Software Technical Sales
IBM Middle East
Dubai
11.2011 - 10.2012
- Learned new skills and applied to daily tasks
- Produced Technical Product Documentation
- Shadowed an Experienced Technical Seller
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Participated in team-building activities to enhance working relationships.
Education
Information Technology Management
University of Wollongong, UOWD
Dubai, UAE 02.2012 - 05.2014
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
American University of Sharjah
Sharjah, UAE 09.2007 - 08.2011
Skills
Program Management
Partner Management
Advocacy experience
Leadership experience
Enterprise Design Thinking
AI Engineering
Data Science
Certification
IBM AI Associate Data Science, and Leader
Timeline
IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate via Coursera
11-2021
IBM AI Associate Data Science, and Leader
10-2021
Deep Learning Specialization by DeepLearning.AI via Coursera
03-2021
IBM Enterprise Design Thinking for AI
03-2021
Partner Experience Advocacy and Engagement Leader
IBM Middle East & Africa
03.2021 - Current
Machine Learning by Sanford University via Coursera
11-2020
Partner Ecosystem Strategy and Transformation Leader
IBM Middle East and Africa
02.2019 - 02.2021
Channel Software Technical Sales Leader
IBM Middle East & Africa
02.2015 - 02.2019
Strategic Initiatives Leader, Software Technical
IBM Middle East & Africa
10.2012 - 02.2015
Information Technology Management
University of Wollongong, UOWD
02.2012 - 05.2014
Graduate Program in Software Technical Sales
IBM Middle East
11.2011 - 10.2012
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
American University of Sharjah
09.2007 - 08.2011