Tommy van Schaik

Mission-Critical Program Delivery & Execution Discipline

Netherlands

About

Many organizations have a well-defined strategy and a carefully designed to-be architecture. The real challenge lies in the programs that must translate that vision into reality. I help leadership teams restore execution when complex or mission-critical programs stop delivering. My work focuses on rapid program diagnostics, restoring execution discipline, and redesigning operating models so large initiatives can move forward again. Drawing on experience from NATO, the Department of Defense, and other large multi-stakeholder programs, I help organizations reduce complexity, clarify decision structures, and stabilize delivery in challenging operational environments.

Experience

  • NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) (7 yrs 4 mos)
    • Principal Project Manager Mission-Critical Program Delivery
      Mar 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 5 mos

      Leading complex multi-stakeholder programs within NATO’s communications and information systems environment. Focus on stabilizing delivery in mission-critical initiatives by restoring execution discipline, aligning governance structures, and reducing organizational complexity in large transformation environments.

    • Sr. Project Manager - Transformation Programs
      Apr 2019 - Mar 2024 · 5 yrs

      Delivered and stabilized large multi-stakeholder transformation initiatives within NATO environments, focusing on governance alignment, delivery structures, and execution clarity in high-complexity programs.

  • Principal Advisor at ONTARA
    Nov 2025 - Present · 9 mos

    Ontara is a European Defence intelligence platform focused on connecting innovative organizations with relevant Defence opportunities, strategic partnerships, and procurement pathways. Powered by ODIN, the Ontara Defence Intelligence Network, Ontara continuously monitors Defence opportunities, programmes and market activity across Europe to support opportunity discovery, assessment and matching. As Principal Advisor, I support the evaluation of opportunities, capability matching, and strategic engagement with innovative organizations across the European Defence ecosystem.

  • Author – Program Delivery & Transformation at Pluralsight
    Oct 2015 - Present · 10 yrs 10 mos

    Author of 60+ courses on program delivery, outsourcing, agile transformation, and organizational execution. Focus on the governance, complexity, and execution challenges involved in large-scale transformation programs.

  • Ministerie van Defensie (7 yrs 1 mo)
    • Senior IT Project Manager
      2016 - 2018 · 2 yrs

    • Deputy director F-35 ALIS Operational Testing and Evaluation
      2014 - 2016 · 2 yrs

    • Project Manager - Operational Air Systems
      2011 - 2014 · 3 yrs