Project Manager

Lori Birnbaum

**** **** *****

Downers Grove, IL 60516

Cell: 630-***-**** / Home: 630-***-****

E-mail: abh7v3@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY

A PMP certified, capable, motivated business management professional who

delivers strategic solutions with business partners by leveraging

leadership skills, project and program management knowledge, process

improvement, and relationship management expertise. Competencies include:

o Clear, logical decision maker with analytical skills and a keen

understanding for process controls, metrics, and applying the necessary

systems to problem solve and improve efficiency.

o Proven ability to integrate project management methodologies while

implementing business solutions.

o Adept at managing, leading and accomplishing goals through others by

utilizing plans and strategies while providing team leadership,

mentoring and development.

o Persuasive communicator with the ability to convey knowledge and

expertise to stakeholders.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

COVENTRY HEALTHCARE, Bethesda, MD (work location in Downers Grove) 2006 -

Current

A managed care provider servicing to the Commercial, Medicare/Medicaid, and

Workers Comp lines of business

Senior IT Project Manager

eCommerce lead providing program and project governance to web portal

projects. Directing teams including business analysts, project managers and

development resources to deliver business solutions. Project activity

includes requirements gathering, scope management, risk management, and

full lifecycle waterfall development.

o Successfully designed and delivered the two million dollar program

implementation of portals for the conversion project of an acquired

health plan on time, within budget, and without disrupting the

business.

o Reduced project timelines by 20% through the creation and

implementation of agile-like project methodology used through the

Enterprise wide, multi year member services portal initiative.

o Conceptualized and integrated SharePoint based program methodology for

web portal project team. Introduction and incorporation of PMO driven

standards reduced project defects by over 25%.

CS STARS (Division of Marsh and McClennan), Chicago, IL 2002 - 2006

A B2B provider of risk management software solutions for the property and

casualty insurance market.

Operations/Product Manager

Department manager leading both direct and matrix teams delivering

strategic planning initiatives. Leveraged leadership skills with management

experience to provide internal and external client support, project

prioritization and escalation, needs assessment, process improvement,

project management, and P&L responsibility.

o Delivered combined "Best Of Breed" alternatives to integrate two sets

of organizational practices into one seamless operation by delivering

both product and operation focused integration plans.

o Increased team efficiency by 15% across interdependent departments by

implementing multiple initiatives including the establishment and

documentation of standards, internal client focus teams, and training.

o Decreased client project lead times by over 10% by combining two

disparate organizations through the creation of tools and staffing

synergies to support clients across all queues.

Independent Consultant, Chicago, IL 2000 - 2002

Engaged in independent consulting assignments while completing MBA degree.

Business improvement consultant working with organizations including

McKinsey Consulting as well as Catwalk Consulting to deliver business

solutions to clients with the following projects:

o Delivered anticipated savings of over $2 million by streamlining the

existing informal, supply chain process into one which incorporated

best practices for clients, suppliers, and inventory management.

o Managed internal migration of two diverse systems without disruption of

service for telecomm provider by successfully delivering project

management, process integration and support documentation.

Valcom Professional Computing Center, Itasca, IL 1998 - 2000

Chicago area provider of technology services and products.

Practice Manager/Business Analyst

Process improvement consultant delivering strategic services focused on

leveraging technology, best practices and process improvement to enhance

operational efficiencies. Responsibilities included business development,

performing needs assessments, designing intellectual property and

implementing solutions.

o Managed resource constrained, multi-million dollar Y2K project at a

Chicago based bank, reporting to executive management. Creation of the

bank's Year 2000 contingency plan assured successful ongoing operations

by meeting the deadlines and milestones established through the bank's

regulatory agencies.

o Increased department's revenue stream by over 28% through the

development, implementation and delivery of the Total Cost of Ownership

program; focused on capitalizing technology process and investment,

thereby enhancing a department that was nearing extinction due to lack

of revenue.

o Decreased financial client's departmental call center expenses by 30%

through the analysis and subsequent recommendations regarding the IT

Help Desk. Reduced prior client dissatisfaction rate through the

successful establishment and delivery of service level agreements.

Organics/LaGrange, Inc., Northbrook, IL 1992 - 1997

Bulk pharmaceutical manufacturing of generic estrogen related products.

Vice-President/Information Technology (1996 - 1997)

Department head of Information Systems reporting to the president, managing

the technical operations.

o Streamlined organization's internal costs through the execution of the

company's first computer based network and electronic telephone system.

Implementation of these technologies decreased costs through the

elimination of repetitive activities.

o Project managed replacement of laboratory information system resulting

in over 25% increased output.

Technical Business Manager/Information Technology (1992 - 1995)

Initial role in organization supporting technology initiatives and project

management.

o Managed and implemented multiple business solutions including hardware

and telecom upgrades, application training and development, as well as

an electronic regulatory reference library.

Productivity Point, Hinsdale, IL 1989 - 1992

Center for Professional Education, Shelton, CT

Training Specialist/Consultant

Provided applications training, development, and consulting in the Chicago

and New York metropolitan regions.

Tigon Corporation, New York City, NY 1984 - 1989

DataProducts Corporation, New York City, NY

Direct Sales Representative

Sales/marketing specialist for major accounts in the digital and

telecommunications product arena.

EDUCATION and CERTIFICATIONS :

Project Management Professional (PMP) Project Management Institute

Keller Graduate School of Management, Oakbrook, IL Masters of Business

Administration

Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY Bachelor of Science

Myers-Briggs (MBTI), Certified Netware Administrator (CNA)

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