Michelle Hardy
**** *. **** ******, *** ** E . Chicago, IL 60615
***********@*****.*** . 224-***-****
Implementation Manager / Project Manager
Technically adept and solutions-focused professional with track record of
top results supporting business critical operations and internal units to
deliver continuous bottom-line success.
Leading consultant with proven expertise in the implementation of assigned
new and existing clients. Develop and maintain project documentation
outlining critical timelines, risks, issues and resolution, and decisions
made as part of the implementation process; launch implementation plans and
program-based solutions. Expertly gather and translate complex requirements
into processes for supporting business units.
Skilled client champion and business partner, guiding client needs-
fulfillment to ensure all deliverables are accurately completed according
to established timelines; control budgets and guide logistics while
delivering on production and user-acceptance testing (UAT) goals. Excel at
communicating with cross-functional teams and departments. Demonstrated
expertise in healthcare implementations related to Medicare, PBM
operations, project management, and client communication in support of key
client accounts.
Technical expertise includes...
Software: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Outlook),Visio, SQL, MS Access, Team Track, Remedy, NGD
Core Project Management, Implementation Management, Business
Methodologies: Analysis, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Leadership and
Mediation, Operations Consulting, Client Facing
Interactions, PBM / Medical Benefits, Consumer Driven Health
Experience, Revenue Cycle Coordination, Business Needs
Attainment
Experience Highlights
CNA Insurance, Chicago, IL
Project Manager / UAT Coordinator, 9/2014 - 1/2015
Recruited for select contract to complete special project for insurance
company involving coordinating UAT activities, processes, and
methodologies while attaining performance goals for client satisfaction,
budget goals, and logistics timelines for rollout of new software. Created
tracking methods to identify and report defects in the rollout of Windows
7 across the organization; logged, tracked, oversaw, and ensured
remediation with 3rd party vendors. Provided senior guidance for daily
work processes, task delegation, and project status / performance tracking
and reporting. Developed tools, templates, and standardized procedures to
improve communications. Analyzed environment, business unit
communications, and process documentation methods; and managed dashboard
and project road maps / plans. Liaised with client contacts including
business customers, managers, and colleagues within CNA departments.
. Established method for tracking, trending, and conveying defects on
2K+ daily applicants; remedied defects to achieve >80 daily defects;
concluded project in advance of deadline.
. Led daily meetings to discuss defects on appearance, confer on open
issues, and create / enact resolutions leading to rapid UAT sign-off
and successfully migrated applications.
. Skillfully identified and applied best practices in support of
developing new, streamlined, and optimized business processes during
comprehensive new and existing software launch.
. Leveraged exceptional communication and collaboration talents to
maintain team-wide accountability for remediating all defects to
meet deadlines and road-map objectives.
Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL
Business Analyst / Consultant, 5/2014 - 9/2014
Sourced to provide consulting expertise in planning and implementing
processes for securing and refining business and technical requirements
for software development lifecycle (SDLC) / application development
lifecycle. Coordinated with project team to identify, gather, and define
key requirements and integrate data into design phases. Liaised with
business users, project managers, and technical leads to capture,
document, and define business and technical system requirements. Oversaw
implementation of Abbott templates as aligned with SDLC. Team with
colleagues to support GIS PMO providing IT PM services to 25 varied
internal business unit delivery areas.
. Developed reputation as a go-to resource assuming responsibility
during head-count losses and human resource changes in order to meet
project goals.
. Created and recommended new tracking and issue resolution system to
rapidly respond and solve various project concerns.
. Utilized expertise in SDLC process and testing operations to meet
program goals.
Walgreens, Deerfield, IL
Project Manager, 7/2012 - 3/2014
On-boarded to oversee partnership building across multiple levels for a
variety of special corporate projects and programs. Facilitated internal
and external communications, requirements identification, long- and short-
range planning, user acceptance testing, and project closure for each
point release. Coordinated with stakeholders, senior managers, and project
teams to define and adhere to logistics, timelines, budgets, and project
parameters. Orchestrated teams, equipment, technologies, and resources for
design, build, and close of projects. Mentored and trained consultants,
project coordinators, and other staff.
. Managed projects: Chicago Public School, Smart D, Government Funded,
Rx Kiosk, Loyalty Offer, Growth Immunization, and Customer
Satisfaction Survey projects and programs.
. Skillfully created and implemented multiple processes / change
requests for review to determine cost, resource estimates, and other
requirements.
. Drove increased levels of employee engagement through designing and
launching special training programs to increase team member skills
and knowledge levels.
. Supported team to meet capability objectives, loyalty operational
goals, and to identify / create functionalities by developing SOPs
driving repeatable processes across all business platforms.
. Demonstrated customer leadership acumen through leading Daily
Livings Capability Applications team to deliver results and respond
to information management requirements.
Independent Contracts, Illinois and Wisconsin
Consultant / Business Analyst / Project Manager, 2009 - 2012
Served as key project influencer; leverage subject matter expertise to
identify and resolve issues within corporate strategy and project
management methodologies. Supported executive decision-makers to
streamline business operations. Performed rigorous trend research and
needs analysis; develop customized project-oriented plans to create
sustainable solutions. Orchestrated cross-departmental communications to
facilitate logistics, enhance work standards, and remove team barriers for
success. Consulted with multiple teams including IT, business development,
sales and marketing, and operations, as well as executive leadership.
Served as primary technical liaison in project management phases to create
project-wide consensus. Managed vendor, stakeholder, and customer
relationships.
. Opus Capital Markets Consultants, LLC: On-boarded to create lasting
solutions to resolve training gaps and provide technical assistance in
all aspects of systems development processes.
. Control cost while meeting rigorous business requirements by
leveraging talent for identifying, evaluating, and developing
customer-centric, streamlined systems and procedures.
. Johnson Controls, Energy Solutions America: Consulted on the design,
implementation, and configuration of new systems as well as testing,
implementations, business process mapping, and fit gap analysis.
. Served as primary communication link with internal departments
facilitating project planning, daily meetings, and project reviews;
drove collaboration to ensure full project buy-in across teams.
. Concuity, Vernon Hills, IL: Partnered with key decision makers to
gather requirements to develop lasting technology-related business
solutions.
. Performed maintenance, analysis, and upgrading of sophisticated
enterprise business systems; steered design and delivery of
innovative process improvements for challenging business issues.
Walgreens Health Initiatives, Deerfield, IL
Sr. User Acceptance Tester (UAT), 2006 - 2009
Led full life cycle of critical UAT projects from concept to sign-off.
Created project schedules and determined scope. Fostered productive
relationships with clients and business partners. Guided all team members
involved in projects, assigning functions, and coaching on effective
strategies. Assessed potential issues and operational impacts of projects.
Aided Business Unit Leader in planning and strategization of initiatives
for meeting business unit goals. Partnered with IT to develop, run, and
document tests. Compiled, reviewed, and analyzed comprehensive business
systems documentation.
. Hand-picked as point of contact for UAT projects, liaising with
internal / external groups to gather requirements, review
deliverables, and ensure projects proceed according to deadline.
. Integral in identifying business unit training and development
requirements, liaised with management and staff in recommending and
implementing new training initiatives.
. Instrumental in ensuring company's compliance with new requirements
for High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), resulting in a revenue
increase of $1.5M.
. Authored article entitled "Stakeholder vs. Employee" that was
selected by executive management as key topic for quarterly forum.
Walgreens Health Initiatives, Deerfield, IL
Senior Eligibility Administrator, 2002 - 2006
Set up and maintained benefits accounts for a client base of 70+.
Completed processes to analyze complex problems through root cause
analysis; developed and delivered recommendations for implementing
creative and technical solutions for enhancements. Identified and
implemented process improvements to improve overall implementation
process. Coordinated with clients, internal business partners, and all
functional units: Sales, Benefit Administration, MEDS, Enrollment,
Customer Care, Finance, Premium Billing, Underwriting, Pricing, Legal,
Marketing, Retail, Mail, and Specialty Pharmacy Operations. Conveyed
client needs and monitored progress to meet deliverables and timelines
requirements. Oversaw SLA obligations. Maintained implementation project
plan reporting standards for risk, action item, issues, and decisions log.
Participated in business unit meetings; communicated progress and
responded to issues.
. Strengthened client relationships by developing an implementation
and communication plan that coordinated client deliverables and
decision points with internal functional areas.
~ Additional experience as an Employee Relations Specialist with
Veterans Administration in North Chicago, IL and as a Contract Specialist
with Allscripts HC Solutions, Libertyville, IL. Recent volunteer
experience managing all aspects of operations as President of the Choices
Women's Resource Center in Waukegan, IL. ~
Education & Credentials
Master of Arts in Business Administration (In Progress), Liberty
University, Lynchburg, Virginia
Bachelor of arts in Business Administration, University of Colorado,
Boulder, Colorado
Professional Development: Certified Associate Project Manager (In
Progress)
Certified Mediation Specialist ~ Total Quality Management Certified
Secret Security Clearance ~ Member - Project Management Institute (PMI)