Project Manager Management

DEBRA SEARS

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

Hanover, Massachusetts 02339

Home: 781-***-****, Mobile: 617-***-****

E-mail: **********@***.***

SUMMARY

Successful IT and Web Communications Project Manager with fifteen years of experience in Information

Technology and Information Systems:

• Leading and managing Enterprise Content Management projects to improve organizational processes,

collaboration, and web self-service

• Developing Intranet services and business to business portals with MS Share Point, Oracle content

management, and Alfresco open source software

• Liaising with cross-functional teams and groups and communicating with internal and external customers

globally

• Developing communication strategies to manage changing technologies and facilitate workflow

• Providing portal solutions for enhancing corporate communications and marketing products and services

• Rolling out and implementing new tools and writing and publishing training guides

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

EMD Serono Rockland, Massachusetts July 2008– December 2008

Project Manager, Corporate Communications and Marketing, Information Services Department

Initiated business plans for new projects, utilized project management (PMI) methodology, and followed a

global SDLC checkpoint process to track phases and present findings.

Liaised with IT and business teams in the Corporate Communications and Marketing Departments to assess

technology needs and analyze both Intranet and Internet sites. Communicated globally with international offices

in order to comply with online governance standards and procedures.

Recommended new strategies for the company Internet (www.emdserono.com) to enhance visibility in the

pharmaceutical industry and generate new ways to promote products.

Project managed the development of a prototype for a new Intranet intended to keep employees informed,

complete daily tasks, collaborate, and utilize Web 2.0 for communications.

Recommended tools and strategies for internal customers related to sharing knowledge, tracking and

monitoring, and managing projects and documentation.

Managed Web hosting and domain name system issues for U.S. branded sites.

Collaborated with teams on transformation technologies such as personalization, dashboards, and new project

management tools to implement workflow solutions.

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MIT Lincoln Laboratory Lexington, Massachusetts January 2007–May 2008

Web Project Lead, Web Design and Communications, Information Services Department

Managed both Internet (http://www.ll.mit.edu) and Intranet site projects at MIT Lincoln Laboratory (MIT LL)

using project management (PMI) methodology and risk analysis to update results and keep staff informed of

progress and issues.

Rolled out and implemented collaborative tools such as Wikis, blogs and Web self-publishing for the MIT LL

community and initiated efficient and cost effective ways of updating Web sites, collaborating on projects, and

communicating with colleagues.

Developed communications plans and proposed strategies for improving Web content that met organizational

goals and objectives. Designed surveys and facilitated focus groups for gathering feedback.

Proposed strategies for sending the right message to employee groups and improving the MIT LL Internet site.

Wrote and produced intranet publishing standards and guidelines that led to the development of new

governance policies.

Built customer relationships by communicating with staff at all levels and provided support for all aspects of

Web self-published content.

Proposed concepts and developed prototypes for redesigning Web sites and improving information architecture,

design, usability, and navigation to increase the efficiency of every day tasks.

Developed training Web sites for instructors and provided tutorials and ongoing support to employees.

Fresenius Medical Care North America Lexington, Massachusetts October 1999–April 2006

Web Content Designer, Portal Development and Support, Information Technology

Wrote and published an Intranet Portal training guide in presentation format for all levels of users that was

adopted as the primary online Portal user guide to train staff.

Gathered requirements for developing and organizing corporate Intranet documentation (www.fmcna.com) and

built new information sharing areas by collaborating with a Web development team and internal staff.

Migrated existing Web content to an Oracle Portal, developed a site map, and provided both technical and

design solutions to transition problems while working directly with Oracle consultants and Portal administrative

managers.

Developed budgetary guidelines for developing, testing, and rolling out the new Portal and to track team

member progress.

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Designed Web pages and structured content for Intranet Clinical Services documentation, compliance policies

and procedures, laboratory research, doctors’ resources, and for various corporate departments, including

Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, and the Help Desk.

As a Project Manager, led an Intranet Quality Assurance initiative to document processes for publishing

recurrent materials on the communications portal and establish styles and standards.

Sought feedback on the Portal user interface and implemented improvements to better meet the business needs

of the organization.

Conducted workshops with executives and managers that led to improved information architecture and

supported branding.

Freelance Technical Writer Boston, Massachusetts October 1998–October 1999

Provided a range of technical writing services on a project basis to several Boston-area companies.

• Media Map–Provided production support and edited a public relations software manual

• View Logic–Edited and updated user guides and reference manuals

Chevron Petroleum Technology Company Houston, Texas January 1994-September 1998

A division of one of the world’s largest petroleum companies, Chevron Petroleum Technology is lauded as a leader

in drilling and excavation technology (www.chevron.com).

Technical Publications Specialist

• Led and contributed to the design and development of the Intranet division Web site that integrated team

collaboration, newsletters, and sharing of best practices

• Managed, edited, and published a quarterly Drilling Technology newsletter in printed hard copy and online that

was distributed throughout the entire division and to field offices worldwide

• Led and managed publishing projects and assumed responsibility for independent contract writers

• Designed and published user guides and software manuals

EDUCATION

Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts

Master of Science in Communications Management, summa cum laude, May 2003

Courses: Strategic Communications and Organizational Change, Leadership in Communications, Communicating

Across Cultures, Public Relations, Emerging Communications Technologies, Internet Marketing, and Financial

Aspects of Business

Study Abroad Program: Organizational Communication and Culture, American University of Rome in Rome, Italy,

summer, 2001

Boston University Project Management Certification Program Boston, Massachusetts

Completed several courses in the Project Management Program

Kingwood Technology Center Certification Program Houston, Texas

Two-year accredited Certificate in Web Publishing, Design, and Internet technology, December 1995

- acquired knowledge and skills in computer graphics, presentations, multimedia, and portfolio development

Concordia University Liberal Arts Undergraduate Program Montreal, Canada

Bachelor of Arts, Honors in English Literature, summa cum laude

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TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

Microsoft Project, MS Share Point, Adobe Contribute, Oracle Portal building, Tridion CMS, HTML, FrontPage,

Dreamweaver, CSS, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Photoshop and Illustrator

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• High Impact Presentations, Dale Carnegie, August 2008

• Nemertes Collaboration Workshop, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, November 2007

• Task-based Information, User Interface Conference, Cambridge, MA, November 2007

• Project Management, MIT Lincoln Laboratory Leadership and Development, Lexington, MA, 2005, August

2007

• Managing Information Technology Projects and Project Quality Management, Boston University Corporate

Education Center, Boston, MA, 2005

• Building a Corporate Intranet, Oracle University, Boston, MA, May 2004

• Project Management, Leadership Development and Teambuilding, SkillPath Seminars, Boston, MA, 2003-04

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