Laura O'Toole, PMP®

Freehold, NJ *****

ac13ml@r.postjobfree.com 732-***-**** www.linkedin.com/in/laura-otoole

Learning & Development Specialist

Help Business Succeed by Bringing Learning Solutions to Life

Drive end-to-end implementation of projects in fast-paced, challenging environments. Navigate multiple, competing priorities. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of business goals and customer challenges. Collaborate with diverse teams, initiate conversations and uncover real learning needs. Use consultative approach and bridge space between technical, business and end-user worlds. Translate technical concepts and complex processes to various audiences. Influence and network with decision makers in matrixed divisions. Passionate leader, committed to elevating the customer experience. Areas of Expertise:

Coaching

HR Program & Project Management

Process Improvement

Requirements & Needs Analysis

Build & Strengthen Partnerships

Content Curation

Design Thinking

Microsoft Office Suite, LMS

Professional Experience

IBM, Armonk, NY 2000 - 2017

Learning Program Manager, Center for Advanced Learning 2015 – 2017

Directed transition to digital marketplace. Integrated design-thinking principles into new global learning offerings. Led strategic consulting engagements and managed priority projects from key business areas. Collaborated with business leaders and subject matter experts (SMEs) to understand pain-points, gaps and define learning objectives.

Facilitated rapid enablement design sessions with sales experts, built training aligned with new go-to-market strategy and leveraged common tools, creating and documenting repeatable processes.

Developed training solutions and deployed ahead of schedule, enabling 8K global sellers to confidently compete, engage and sell Cloud & Cognitive solutions.

Analyzed learning needs and aligned strategy with business unit directors, substantiating budget allocations in annual planning cycle.

Led consulting engagements, end-to-end learning design and development projects, improving synergies with executive stakeholders, vendors and learning leaders, exceeding client expectations and receiving positive feedback from every project sponsor.

Learning Portfolio Manager, IBM Software Group 2012 – 2015

Supported strategic initiatives and complex technical environments. Provided program management and design expertise to global cross-functional teams for solution development in Cloud & Cognitive, IBM Watson, security, mobile, analytics and technical sales enablement. Maintained client relationships, managed expectations and implemented issue resolution throughout project lifecycle.

Laura O’Toole ac13ml@r.postjobfree.com Page Two

IBM (Continued)

Guided overall portfolio health, including budget control, accurate project forecasting and resource planning, ensuring robust project pipeline while engaging SMEs, vendors, target audience and key stakeholders.

Developed reusable templates and dashboard reporting process, providing business unit stakeholders with timely and consistent communication on progress, impacts and changes and eliminating weekly conference calls and multiple status meetings.

HR Project Manager, Professional Development Center of Excellence 2005 – 2012

Partnered with business and HR leaders. Understood people-related needs and challenges. Designed, developed and executed innovative learning, career models / programs and workforce initiatives. Enhanced global employee experience and business impact.

Created high-level employee-focused work streams including talent development, career workshops, global communications enablement and skills and expertise assessments for global sales and client-facing employees, assuming full accountability for implementation and outcome.

Delivered large projects and programs and engaged teams using diplomacy, patience and relationship management skills, driving new client partnerships and achieving outstanding feedback and client success.

Development Project Manager, Technical Support Services 2000 – 2005

Led multiple cross-functional teams supporting critical hardware maintenance. Initiated complex requirements for new products and systems. Controlled project plans. Established global statements of work, inter-company agreements, vendor relationships and risk management parameters.

Accurately forecasted and tracked project financials, maintaining portfolio spend within annual budgets ranging from $1.6 to $2M.

Education

Coursework toward Bachelor of Arts (BA), Business Administration,

State University of New York at Farmingdale

Certifications

Project Management Institute, Certified PMP®, Project Management Professional

George Washington University, Applied coursework towards

Master’s Certificate in Project Management

Acclaim Digital Badges include:

Design Thinking, IBM Learning Digital Transformation, Project Management

Dale Carnegie, Effective Communications and Human Relations / Skills for Success

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