TRACEY KAVANAGH
Dublin
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in portfolio management, strategic planning, and change management. Demonstrates strong capabilities in value management, stakeholder engagement, and governance. Proven track record in business process improvement and M&A integration. Exceptional communication skills, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities complement leadership strengths. Committed to driving organisational success through effective strategic initiatives.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work history
Change & Transformation Lead
Accenture Ireland
Dublin
01.2021 - 04.2026
- Change Lead for Operating Model strategies for multiple functions, Legal, Delivery & Quality, Data and Global IT
- Led the design and delivery of enterprise-wide change strategies, driving adoption across multiple corporate functions.
- Developed and scale value strategy for ~40 GEN AI products, optimizing 200+ use cases, and incorporating industry bench-marking including standard framework.
- Coached senior leaders to enhance change leadership capabilities during large-scale transformations.
- Executed a capability communication strategy to enhance stakeholder engagement and client alignment.
- Delivered strategic change programs across people, technology, and processes within the CIO operating model, including training and capability strategy.
- Collaborated with global stakeholders to create and implement transformation plans, focusing on governance and operating models.
- Led data and analytics initiatives, including Accenture’s data maturity assessment and a global Data Culture Strategy.
Business Transformation Office – Director
The Project Foundry
Dublin, Ireland
01.2021 - 10.2021
- Project Leadership for new Change and Transformation practice which focused on delivering transformation programs by assessing the current state against clients’ future goals, collaborating to deliver strategies that ensure measurable outcomes.
- Pharmaceutical Sector Client - finance process review of payment function and identification of productivity gains up to 40% enabling capacity to shift to more value-add activities.
- Food Industry Client - Global Innovation redesign and enhancement - design, develop and deploy a global innovation model to drive an innovation culture within the organisation including the design and development of a cross-functional ideation model.
Global Director Transformation
Kerry Group T&N
Naas, Ireland
01.2018 - 12.2020
- Designed and executed global strategic roadmaps and operating models.
- Created governance frameworks and change management plans, delivering sustainable business transformation including continuous improvement.
- Organisation Effectiveness lead for sales teams, and led transformation (Target Operating Model, Product Portfolio, Salesforce), achieving 10% productivity gain and 25% cost reduction.
- Implemented enterprise performance management tools, including KPI dashboards (Power BI) and governance models for CTO and global functions.
- Directed high-impact initiatives such as M&A integration, process excellence in manufacturing, and COVID-19 redeployment of 1,200+ scientists, ensuring business continuity.
Head of Service Management & Shared service site lead
Whirlpool Corporation
, Poland & Ireland
01.2013 - 12.2017
- Designed and implemented stakeholder engagement and service delivery models, aligning business and functional expectations while embedding governance practices (SAP HANA Design Authority).
- Led performance management initiatives, including KPI dashboard deployment for EMEA and governance models to track performance, risks, and service improvement.
- Directed major transformation programs, including legal entity mergers, site relocation to Poland, and new operating models that delivered 30% headcount reduction and process synergies.
- Established robust service delivery frameworks, developing and deploying global policies, procedures, and operating standards.
- Designed and implemented a model to drive stakeholders interaction including a service model to meet the expectations of key business and functional stakeholders.
Head of Business Process Automation & Solutions
Whirlpool Corporation
Dublin
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Developed and delivered strategic and technology roadmaps for EMEA, sourcing and implementing new enabling technologies (e.g., Kofax, automated cash application) and driving continuous excellence across core business processes.
- Designed and implemented new operating models and transitions, including Service Management for EMEA/offshore centres, KPI dashboards, SOX 404 compliance, and successful offshoring of business services.
Senior Program Manager
Whirlpool Corporation
HQ Italy
01.2006 - 01.2011
- Successfully led the pan-regional execution of a major Business Performance Management transformation program in the global reporting space.
- Defined and determined the SAP strategy for Whirlpool EMEA, integrating global reporting solutions.
- Managed a diverse team consisting of 10 direct and 40 indirect staff, delivering impactful change.
- Implemented SAP for Whirlpool EMEA’s Financial Platform to enhanced reporting.
- Designed and rebuilt gross margin reporting, enabling dimensional P&L analyses for a Finance organisation of over 450+ individuals.
- Delivered a new standardized global product hierarchy and re-engineered the current management reporting cycle, optimizing performance metrics.
- Established a corporate governance team for ERP Governance, aligning with business process networks for enhanced integration.
Business Project Manager
Whirlpool Corporation
HQ Italy
01.2002 - 01.2006
- Improved manufacturing processes by implementing SAP rollout across {7} factories for Whirlpool Corporation in Italy.
- Integrated new processes with all operating manufacturing plants in Europe, 12 in total.
- Created process synergies across all plants.
- Ensured all compliance elements with our global strategy.
Finance Manager
Whirlpool Corporation
Dublin
01.1996 - 01.2002
- This role was an operational management Finance role within service delivery.
- Responsible for 2 different operational management roles within the finance function.
- Business Development Lead, FSSC 2001/02: This newly created role was responsible for strengthening the service levels provided by Whirlpool to its process partner entities.
- Key integration point for all business development with the Leadership Team.
- Other roles in Whirlpool Corporation, EMEA Region from 2001.
Education
MSC. PM 1st Class Honors - Project Management
UCD Michael Smurfit Business School
Dublin, IrelandMIATI – Diploma in Accounting - Accounting
Accounting Technicians Ireland
Skills
- Portfolio Management
- Strategic Planning
- Change Management
- Value Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Governance
- Business Process Improvement
- M&A Integration
- Communication skills
- Collaboration
- Problem Solving
- Leadership
REFERENCES
On request
TRAINING
- Lean six sigma green belt
- Six sigma black belt training
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
- Boosted Productivity: Led strategic workstreams improving productivity by 10% across multiple departments.
- Optimized Operations: Implemented new operating model reducing headcount by 30% with improved process efficiencies.
- Cost Savings Achievement: Managed integration saving 25% annually in operational costs.
- Enhanced Value Delivery: Deployed framework for 200+ use cases enhancing product value delivery.
Timeline
Business Transformation Office – Director
The Project Foundry
01.2021 - 10.2021
Change & Transformation Lead
Accenture Ireland
01.2021 - 04.2026
Global Director Transformation
Kerry Group T&N
01.2018 - 12.2020
Head of Service Management & Shared service site lead
Whirlpool Corporation
01.2013 - 12.2017
Head of Business Process Automation & Solutions
Whirlpool Corporation
01.2011 - 01.2013
Senior Program Manager
Whirlpool Corporation
01.2006 - 01.2011
Business Project Manager
Whirlpool Corporation
01.2002 - 01.2006
Finance Manager
Whirlpool Corporation
01.1996 - 01.2002
MSC. PM 1st Class Honors - Project Management
UCD Michael Smurfit Business School
MIATI – Diploma in Accounting - Accounting
Accounting Technicians Ireland