JoAnn Strugala
* **** *****, ******, ** *****
**********@*****.***
Highly accomplished professional with over 15 years of diverse
experience in developing, implementing, and managing complex projects in
the payroll, human resources and financial fields with strong
client/customer focus. Highly motivated and energetic leader with proven
ability to strategize and prioritize effectively to accomplish multiple
projects and tasks under strict time constraints. Knowledgeable in
project management, processes, tools and techniques.
Exceptionally organized and disciplined; possess well-developed
interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate and direct others in a
supportive cooperative team environment. Skilled in building excellent
rapport with cross-functional teams and vendors, delegating effectively
and motivating team members to achieve on-time project completion. Highly
adaptable to ever changing circumstances. Analytical problem-solver,
able to pro-activately identify issues, recommend resolution and improve
efficiency. Exceptional focus, follow-through and coordination skills.
Dedicated to understanding and meeting client's needs with a strong
commitment to customer satisfaction.
CORE
COMPENTENCIES
Project Management Problem Resolution
Financial, HR & Payroll Implementations Key Account
Management
Cross-Functional Team Coordination Vendor
Relationships
Team Leadership & Training Policy & Procedure
Administration
Professional Experience
Dow Jones Inc. - South Brunswick, NJ 2/2010
to 4/2010
Project Coordinator/Manager
Contract Position
HR Benefits Outsourcing Project -
. Managed the daily implementation including plan development, created
project timelines and ensured milestones were met according to
schedule. Tracked issues, facilitated resolution and conducted daily
status calls with client teams, internal teams & third-party vendors.
Proactively managed changes in project scope, identifying potential
crises and escalated to senior management. Created project workflows,
agendas and documented daily/weekly statuses.
POINTS NORTH CONSULTING - Duluth, MN 2006 to 2009
Project Manager (Virtual)
Managed the planning, execution & finalization of implementation projects
according to strict deadlines and within budget constraints. Defined the
project objectives and oversaw quality control on a daily basis throughout
project life cycle. Managed and coordinated efforts of team members and
third-party vendors or consultants in order to deliver projects according
to plan.
. Defined project scope, goals and deliverables that support business
model in collaboration with senior management. Developed best
practices and tools for project execution and management. Developed
full-scale project plans for internal & external projects. Developed
communication documents used in project life cycle.
. Managed implementation projects for financial, payroll and hr software
applications from conception to completion. Managed project teams
including programmers, implementation specialists, and internal
project staff.
. Set & continually managed/monitored project expectations with team
members & clients.
. Developed project timelines and ensured milestones were met according
to schedule. Tracked issues, facilitated resolution and conducted
weekly status calls with client teams, internal teams & third-party
vendors.
. Prepared and presented timely status reports to client and internal
teams and internal senior management.
. Proactively managed changes in project scope, identifying potential
crises and devised contingency plans.
. Proactively analyzed contract hours, budgeted hours to ensure
adherence to executed client contracts.
. Defined documentation/notices of project closure.
. Conducted daily & weekly analysis of projects for resource planning
and budgeting.
AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING - Dayton, NJ 1999 to 2006
Benefits Expert Implementation Specialist: 2005 -2006
Implementation Consultant: 2003 - 2005
Senior Implementation Specialist: 2001 - 2003
Account Executive: 1999 - 2001
Implemented Autopay(PC-based payroll), PayXpert (web-based payroll) and
Benefits Xpert (benefit tracking software) to new clients and additional
features to existing clients for Major Accounts & EBS Sales divisions.
. Utilized extensive payroll and human resource knowledge to coordinate
and manage multiple complex implementation projects simultaneously.
. Proven ability in project and time management to work independently
under pressure & meet strict timeframes.
. Communicated effectively to external clients including upper
management, 3rd party vendors and internal clients such as Sales,
Client Services, Financial Services & Regional Management.
. Provided technical support and on-the-job training for new
implementation specialists.
. Coordinated & scheduled training of client personnel to provide proper
and effective utilization of the ADP payroll/hr products and provided
on-site instruction to clients during 1st input visits.
. Proven ability in problem resolution and follow up skill set to ensure
client satisfaction and client retention.
____________________________________________________________________________
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COVANCE - Princeton, NJ 1997 to 1999
Payroll Manager
Payroll Manager for a pharmaceutical/clinical research organization with
over 1,000 employees (multi-state/multi-companies).
. Prepared and processed semi-monthly payrolls utilizing ADP payroll
service - PC/windows-based software.
. Responsible for monthly, quarterly and annual verification of tax
filings & reports processed by ADP, including year-end & W-2
reconciliation.
. Conducted audits between the HRIS system (PeopleSoft HR module) and
ADP database - created queries and reports on monthly basis.
. Coordinated problem resolution and provided assistance to all
divisions including Corporate management.
____________________________________________________________________________
__________
WAKEFERN FOOD CORPORATION - Edison, NJ 1994 to 1997
SHOPRITE FINANCIAL SERVICES
Lead Payroll Support
Assistant to the Payroll Supervisor in the daily preparation and weekly
processing of payroll information for a co-operative retail supermarket
chain of 32 companies (180 stores plus executive offices) with
approximately 35,000 employees. Utilized an in-house customized PeopleSoft
software application.
. Responsible for daily & weekly scheduling of payroll processes (i.e.
Downloading of time & attendance files, pay calculations, pay
confirmations, creation of check/advise files, direct deposit file,
401K file etc) utilizing a customized/PeopleSoft scheduler. Auditing
of monthly, quarterly and annual reports and preparing & processing
year-end W-2's and reports.
. Managed department in supervisor's absence.
. Acted as liaison with IT department to complete daily/weekly system
maintenance and create queries/reports for specialized reporting
needs. Identified discrepancies and executed problem resolution and
provided support to all corporate/member offices.
. Assisted in the implementation projects (design & development) for the
SFS Payroll, Human Resources & Benefits systems and coordinated and
conducted each member conversion. Handled the set-up of payroll data
during testing, installation and conversion phases to the PeopleSoft
HR/PR software. Trained payroll clerks and member users on processing
procedures for maintenance entries and time & attendance entries.
Developed training procedures and user manuals. Developed and
enforced procedures and policies for the payroll department.
____________________________________________________________________________
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R & S Strauss Inc - South River, NJ 1992 to 1994
Human Resources Supervisor
Consumer Food Services - East Brunswick, NJ 1989 to 1992
Payroll Administrator
Ocean Apparel, Inc - South Amboy, NJ 1981 to 1989
Office Manager
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Proficient in Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Internet
Explorer, MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project and ADP
Payroll/HR software.