Project Manager Customer Service

JOHN N. SARANTAKIS

Cincinnati, OH ***** 978-***-**** acuukh@r.postjobfree.com

(Relocating to Roanoke, VA in Summer 2016)

CONTENT DEVELOPER - PROGRAM MANAGER

Project Management – Product Planning / Strategy – Market Research – Relationship Building – Leadership / Profitability

Versatile and dynamic professional with ongoing success in executing all phases of concurrent projects and programs; acknowledged as a creative thought leader for innovative product vision and implementation.

Create, align, evaluate, and manage product content, strategy, and messaging while assessing / enhancing development plans that meet all pedagogical and academic requirements for domestic / international EduTech markets.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams and internal / external stakeholders to craft and deliver quality deliverables.

Perform risk analyses and offer practical solutions that overcome roadblocks, add efficiency, and ensure client satisfaction. Selected Achievements

Currently spearheading the creation of a comprehensive, unifying product strategy that will determine the direction and market positioning of five product families, project revenue forecasted at $5.5M.

Co-authored two of the business unit’s first-ever digital components; directed all aspects of both projects’ visual design.

Integrated new workflow models to secure high-profile partnerships; achieved significant time / cost savings on $3.5M budget.

Crafted, tested, and refined branding strategy / message for the # 1 product in the Small Business Management textbook market.

Core Competencies

Creative Ideation / Brainstorming Growth Strategies / Roadmapping Vendor Relations / Negotiations

Market Research / Analysis Cost / Time Reduction Team Leadership / Staffing / Training

Design Sprints / Learning Architecture Process Improvements / Innovation Time Management / Deadlines

Quality Assurance / Control Risk Mitigation / Evaluation Communication / Public Speaking Professional Experience

CENGAGE LEARNING, Boston, MA & Mason, OH 2013 to Present Cengage is one of the leading EduTech companies in the US, with markets in both school (K-12) and higher education; recently voted the most valuable local tech company [Boston] in the next five years. Content Developer – Mason, OH Office 2014 to Present Manage print and digital content development for multiple products / series; partner with authors and subject matter experts; identify market needs and develop engaging content for target courses.

Create / develop plans – pedagogically and architecturally – for delivering digital products via Cengage’s online platform

(MindTap). Deliver additional feature recommendations based on market research, author input, and product vision.

Co-lead multiple market research pilot programs; analyze findings and present key takeaways for product implementation Project Manager / Intellectual Property – Boston, MA Office 2013 to 2014 Directed the review, research, and acquisition of 60+ textbook series’ text and image permissions. Hired and supervised all domestic / international work resources and handled IP communications between product teams and all external contributors.

Created and monitored schedules to consistently meet aggressive publication deadlines.

Conducted risk mitigation & analyses on budget and sourcing to reduce overall costs by up to 10%.

Initiated and implemented strategies that overcame permission acquisition roadblocks. QUALVU, INC., Lakewood, CO 2012 to 2013

Innovative market research company that utilizes mobile video diaries from consumers worldwide to provide insight for its clients. Project Manager, Global Studies

Managed domestic / international projects for such corporations as 3M, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and Belk; handled client interface / management and reporting.

JOHN N. SARANTAKIS PAGE TWO

Hired and directed global recruitment agencies on three continents to facilitate multi-lingual research.

Identified and met client expectations; prepared risk mitigation outlines, created schedules, administered system presentations, and implemented creative solutions.

Achieved all project goals; streamlined workflows by teaming with new vendors to develop / implement best practices. PEARSON ECOLLEGE, Centennial, CO Apr 2012 to Jul 2012 Pearson is an on-demand SaaS provider of eLearning software and services to secondary and post-secondary learning institutions. Project Coordinator / Contract Position

Drove full lifecycle of online content development and distribution for 50+ MyLab course adoptions; initiated product assessment at

“sale closed” stage and notified stakeholders of customized requirements.

Served as primary contact and lead liaison between Sales, Customer Service, and Developers.

Met aggressive, concurrent term start-dates by tracking reports across delivery platforms while maintaining databases. CENGAGE LEARNING / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LEARNING, Boston, MA 2007 to 2012 Cengage acquired Hampton Brown, publishing arm of National Geographic, to become National Geographic Learning in Aug 2011. Content Project Manager 2009 to 2012

Managed full design & production lifecycle for 12 English Language Teaching series; supervised art, photo, and audio programs plus associated media / online components. Hired / led contracted global network of production vendor teams.

Project managed premier corporate initiative to publish for international K-6 market; integrated new workflow models that secured high-profile partnerships and achieved significant time / cost savings on $3.5M budget.

Revised World Link (best-selling, flagship series) to pioneer Division’s first foray into K4 / InCopy interactive technology.

Facilitated and led collaborative communication across Editorial, Marketing, Technology, and Manufacturing departments; resolved impediments and formalized concrete project plans.

Improved upon aggressive deadlines for concurrent projects; consistently delivered programs ahead of schedule. Achieved significant plate savings of up to 8% on all projects. Associate Content Project Manager 2007 to 2009

Led cross-organizational efforts to meet dates, requirements, and standards for business’ first successfully state-adopted K-12 program. Coordinated entire hiring, training and onboarding process for up to nine interns.

Managed highest grossing international adaptation for largest global customer, ICPNA (Instituto Cultural Peruano Norteamericano). Collaborated with local Marketing team to meet client needs and expectations. Education

Certificate in Theological Studies – Holy Trinity Seminary – Jordanville, NY Bachelor of Art in History, minor in Sociology – University of Massachusetts – Amherst, MA Graduated cum laude – Received 2003 Robert Perlman Scholarship Memberships: National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Golden Key International Honor Society Technical Skills

Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, InDesign & Photoshop – MS Office Suite – Quark

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