Julie Junio de Castro

Led business growth and project delivery by developing client relationships, identifying opportunities, and managing end-to-end training and consultancy engagements. Supported the design and execution of tailored learning solutions in project management, PMO, and professional development. Key Roles & Responsibilities: 1. Drive business growth through client acquisition, partnerships, and account management. 2. Identify training and consultancy opportunities across corporate and public sectors. 3. Develop proposals, client solutions, and commercial offers. 4. Manage end-to-end delivery of training programs and special projects. 5. Coordinate with trainers, partners, and clients to ensure smooth execution. 6. Oversee scheduling, budgets, quality, and stakeholder communication. 7. Support the design of tailored workshops and capability-building programs. 8. Monitor project progress, client satisfaction, and continuous improvement.

https://newzealand.iiba.org/page/chapter-officers

1. Spearheaded content creation to enhance brand awareness for PMOGA and PMI organizations and all certifications. 2. Transformed knowledge management concepts into innovative promotional strategies to boost membership. 3. Collaborated with cross-functional & global/regional teams to ensure cohesive messaging across all platforms.

Led the marketing function for PMOGA, driving visibility, engagement, and event participation while bringing strong PMO expertise to position PMOGA’s value for practitioners and the broader project management community. Roles & Responsibilities: 1. Developed and implemented marketing strategies aligned with PMOGA/PMI goals. 2. Enhanced and maintained consistent branding across all communication channels. 3. Oversaw content creation for newsletters, social media, and the website to grow engagement. 4. Led event marketing campaigns to increase registrations and attendance. 5. Managed and optimized digital presence using SEO/SEM and platform best practices. 6. Cultivated partnerships with sponsors and industry partners to expand reach and value. 7. Tracked, analyzed, and reported marketing performance to improve campaigns and outcomes. 8. Mentored the marketing team and promoted a collaborative, high-performing culture. 9. Engaged the PMOGA community and encouraged participation through targeted outreach. 10. Leveraged PMO experience to shape messaging, promote PMO capability-building initiatives, and support PMO-related programs (including PMOGA framework awareness and learning).

As Marketing Director of the UAE Chapter of PMO Global Alliance, I worked closely with the Chapter President to help establish and strengthen the UAE leadership team during its foundational stage. I supported the President in building the PMOGA UAE board, helping shape the chapter’s structure, direction, and leadership presence in the region. I led the development of the chapter’s governance and marketing framework, creating clear structures, branding guidelines, and communication processes to ensure consistency and professionalism across all platforms. I also spearheaded marketing-led events and initiatives that increased organizational awareness, strengthened community engagement, and positioned PMOGA UAE as a credible voice in the regional project management and PMO space. Key Responsibilities 1. Developed and implemented marketing strategies aligned with chapter goals. 2. Enhanced and maintained consistent branding across all communication channels. 3. Oversaw content creation for newsletters, social media, website, and promotional materials. 4. Led event marketing efforts to improve visibility, participation, and attendance. 5. Managed and optimized the chapter’s digital presence and online engagement. 6. Cultivated relationships with partners, sponsors, and stakeholders to expand reach. 7. Tracked and reported marketing performance to improve campaign effectiveness. 8. Mentored contributors and fostered a collaborative working environment. 9. Engaged the project management and PMO community to encourage participation and awareness. 10. Applied PMO expertise to support governance, structure, and capability-building initiatives within the chapter.

Led DeeCee as a one-stop hub for project management and PMO services, providing end-to-end support from consultancy and PMO setup to operations, monitoring, and tailored training. Key Roles & Responsibilities 1. Set the company’s vision, strategy, and service direction. 2. Lead client engagement, partnerships, and business growth. 3. Provide PMO consulting and assess project delivery gaps. 4. Design and establish PMO frameworks, processes, and governance. 5. Oversee PMO setup, implementation, and day-to-day operations. 6. Deliver PMO support services including reporting, risk, and performance tracking. 7. Monitor PMO effectiveness through KPIs, dashboards, and governance reviews. 8. Develop and deliver tailored workshops and training in project management and PMO. 9. Lead teams, ensure service quality, and drive continuous improvement. 10. Manage financial performance and operational standards. 11. Provided training/courses from various global project management certification such as PMI/APM

Sesam Connect served as the official organizer of the Fire & Safety Forum 2025, an esteemed annual event led by the Ministry of Interior and Dubai Civil Defense, dedicated to promoting fire safety, innovation, and cross-industry collaboration. DeeCee Project Management Consultancy, which I owned & founded was deeply honored and grateful to have been entrusted by the Ministry of Interior - Dubai Civil Defense on managing the 10th Edition of FSFUAE2025, from strategy development and planning through to execution and event closure. My role encompassed overseeing the overall operation, strategies, planning from marketing, sponsorship, operations, logistics, revenue generation, speaker coordination, program management, and team development.

As the Middle East Ambassador for the Project Controls Expo, I represented PCE across the region by promoting its initiatives, strengthening regional relationships, and expanding its presence in the Middle East. Key Responsibilities: 1. Promoted the awards program, encouraged regional participation, served on the judging committee, and supported the awards ceremony. 2. Managed sponsor and partner relationships, secured new opportunities, and negotiated agreements that strengthened the Expo’s profile and financial sustainability. 3. Developed delegate recruitment strategies and increased Middle East participation in the Expo. Served as the main regional contact, represented PCE at industry events, and provided insights on regional trends and opportunities. 4. Worked closely with awards, sponsorship, and delegate teams to ensure aligned and effective execution of regional initiatives.

Led business development, partnerships, and marketing initiatives to expand the global reach, strengthen collaborations, and support event growth of the GPMF 2023 & 2024 Conference Edition. Key Responsibilities: 1. Identified new business opportunities through market, client, and industry trend research. 2. Developed and implemented growth strategies to expand services and market presence. 3. Built and maintained relationships with service providers and strategic partners. 4. Identified, engaged, and managed potential partners and partnership opportunities. 5. Negotiated partnership agreements and developed joint initiatives with partners. 6. Provided regular updates and reports on partnership and business development activities. 7. Developed marketing strategies and campaigns aligned with organizational goals. 8. Maintained consistent brand messaging across all communications. 9. Created content for social media before, during, and after events to maximize visibility and engagement. 10. Promoted events and initiatives to increase awareness and participation. 11. Worked closely with other departments, especially operations, to ensure alignment and synergy. 12. Provided recommendations to improve processes, collaboration, and overall performance.

Was appointed to lead chapter marketing and public relations, increasing awareness of both the PMI UAE Chapter and the wider PMI brand across the territory. Roles & Responsibilities: 1. Developed and executed marketing and PR strategies aligned with PMI objectives. 2. Strengthened brand presence through consistent messaging across all channels. 3. Promoted chapter events, programs, and initiatives through campaigns, newsletters, social media, and website content. 4. Led event marketing to increase visibility, registrations, and attendance. 5. Managed digital engagement and used performance insights to improve campaign results. 6. Built relationships with partners and stakeholders to expand reach and support chapter activities. 7. Collaborated with other chapter teams and provided recommendations to improve marketing effectiveness and community engagement.

Worked on various freelancing/consultancy role for various international clients operating in the Middle East on the following projects: Project Manager 1. Managed projects from initiation to closure, ensuring time, cost, and quality targets were met or exceeded. 2. Led cross-functional project teams and developed project/operations capabilities. 3. Ensured compliance with relevant industry standards, regulations, and client requirements. 4. Provided regular progress updates, reporting, and stakeholder communications. Consultant 1. Provided strategic advice on project management and business operations best practices. 2. Developed tailored solutions to address project and operational challenges. 3. Reviewed existing processes, identified gaps, and recommended improvements to enhance performance and outcomes. Tender Review, Proposal Development & Project Close-Out 1. Reviewed and evaluated tender documents to ensure full compliance and competitiveness. 2. Developed comprehensive technical and commercial proposals. 3. Negotiated terms and conditions and led contract finalization to secure awards. 4. Managed handover to execution teams and led delivery through execution and close-out, including documentation/data book and payment completion. Operations / Project Team Setup 1. Recruited, onboarded, trained, and developed project and operations teams. 2. Planned and allocated resources (goods and services) to meet project demands. 3. Monitored team performance and resolved issues to maintain delivery standards. Business Development 1. Conducted market research to identify opportunities, trends, and growth areas. 2. Developed and implemented business development strategies to expand the pipeline. 3. Built and maintained strong client relationships, acted as primary point of contact, and supported satisfaction and retention.

Roles & Responsibilities: - Reviewed tender documents (bidding & firm requirements), raised necessary clarifications, and closely coordinated with clients to identify the actual scope of the project. - Evaluated project specifications, bills of materials/quantities, drawings, and other project-related documents in collaboration with the technical, financial, legal and engineering teams. - Maintained regular coordination with all relevant departments (Engineering, Contracts, Procurement, etc.) to ensure proposal submission met client requirements and deadlines. - Raised inquiries for materials & services with subcontractors, and reviewed commercial and technical quotes from the vendors. - Prepared pricing comparison sheets and conducted price evaluations. - Coordinated with the business development team to stay informed about upcoming projects, timelines, and market information. - Engaged in regular discussions with technical & sales teams to find the best solutions that meet customer criteria, considering quality and market competitiveness. - Developed and maintained close relationships both internally and externally to create opportunities for the company. Key Achievements: - Developed comprehensive vendor and client lists and contacts for the company. - Successfully completed the Exxon Mobil West Qurna proposal covering all required areas—piping, electrical, instrumentation, equipment, construction, and testing. - Established strong relationships between AWI and respective vendors.

On-going