Melissa McLean, PMP - Program & Project Manager

About Me

Transforming complexity into clarity through strategic program leadership

I'm a Program and Project Manager based in Silkeborg, Denmark, with extensive experience leading large-scale technical programs across advanced manufacturing, R&D, automation, and defense-adjacent sectors.

My approach centers on stabilizing struggling initiatives, establishing delivery frameworks, and aligning leadership ambition with team capability to achieve reliable, measurable outcomes. I thrive in regulated, fast-moving environments where sound judgment and expectation management are paramount.

Throughout my career, I've progressed from hands-on project execution to full program ownership and people leadership, managing portfolios exceeding $99M and overseeing up to 25 concurrent projects across robotics, automation, laser systems, and R&D integration.

I'm known for implementing structured planning that drives approximately 90% on-time delivery, building high-performing teams with minimal turnover, and serving as a trusted advisor on technical direction and project prioritization.

Key Strengths

                        Program Recovery
                        Inheriting and stabilizing over-budget, behind-schedule initiatives through structured planning and realistic scoping
                    

                        Strategic Leadership
                        Balancing customer expectations with team capability, translating "no" into "not yet" through phased delivery approaches
                    

                        Team Development
                        Building and mentoring high-performing cross-functional teams with formal people-leadership achieving exceptional retention
                    

                        Stakeholder Management
                        Serving as primary interface for government, defense, and industry stakeholders through structured reviews and escalation management
                    

Skills & Expertise

Comprehensive capabilities across program delivery, technical integration, and organizational leadership

Program Leadership

Multi-project portfolio management
Program recovery & stabilization
Schedule, cost & risk ownership
Change control & dependency management
Budget forecasting & financial reporting
Leadership reporting & decision support

Technical Integration

Advanced manufacturing & R&D
Automation & robotics programs
Laser systems integration
Defense & aerospace sustainment
Regulated compliance environments
Technical proposal development

Stakeholder Engagement

Government & defense interface
Customer & partner ecosystems
Vendor & subcontractor management
Expectation & conflict management
Executive briefings & reviews
Cross-functional coordination

Team & Process

People leadership & mentoring
Performance management
Process standardization
Continuous improvement
Power BI & automation tools
Governance framework development

Notable Accomplishments

Delivering measurable impact through strategic program management

90%

On-Time Delivery Rate

Implemented delivery frameworks and planning tools that resulted in approximately 90% on-time delivery across a complex 25-project portfolio, with significantly tighter and more predictable schedules and budgets.

$99M+

Program Budget Management

Successfully managed program budgets exceeding $99M, including comprehensive forecasting, funding allocation, cost control, and financial reporting for advanced manufacturing and robotics initiatives.

95%

Contract Award Success

Led development of technical and financial proposals under aggressive timelines, contributing to a 95% contract award success rate through strategic positioning and accurate cost estimation.

500%

Vendor Network Expansion

Built and managed a comprehensive subcontractor and robotic integrator ecosystem, expanding the vendor network by 500% to support diverse program requirements and technical capabilities.

<5%

Team Retention Rate

Maintained exceptional team retention with less than 5% turnover since assuming formal people-leadership responsibilities in 2024, building high-performing cross-functional teams through mentoring, coaching, and performance management.

Concurrent Project Leadership

Led complex technical programs comprising up to 25 concurrent projects across advanced manufacturing, robotics, automation, laser systems, and R&D integration with full scope and budget authority.

Melissa McLean