Kathy N. LaRusso

617-***-****

ad4xzw@r.postjobfree.com

Summary

Operations Director/IT Manager/Implementation Consultant with over 20+ years of experience in all areas of Project management, Business Analysis and Client Implementations. Experience in analyzing workflow processes to streamline business operations including implementations from beginning to end. Strong industry knowledge within Financial Services, Investment Products, Pharmacy Benefits, and Software applications. Successful scenarios of managing large project conversion.

Areas of Expertise:

Implementation Consulting – converting blocks of insurance business to LifePRO, including on Prem as well as TPA’s.

Business Analysis – strong experience in gathering requirements, writing BRD’s and mapping.

Project Management

Recruitment, Training and Coaching

DTCC – active member of User Group representing Insurance Companies

Led a 2-year Admin system conversion from Vantage to Leverage with less than 10% policy errors.

System Implementation using LifePRO Classic and UI systems.

Strong experience on both insurance and vendor side of business, as well as collaborating directly with clients.

Led many successful workshops for large groups.

Agile and waterfall methodologies

Life, Health, Annuities, Banking and Pharma

EXL Global

Implementation Consultant, Sr. Manager 2020 – present

Collaborate directly with clients to implement LifePRO as an Admin system for all financial services.

Write SOW’s and SOP’s

Convert companies as a TPA.

Involved in all communications, discussion and steering towards best practices.

Work with Implementation team to ensure a smooth transition to LifePRO both Classic and UI.

Evaluated specific scenarios for client needs and created a more streamlined approach.

Configure LifePRO to allow for unique types of transactions needed for clients to process business in house or bringing it in with us being offering TPA services.

RXBenefits

Sr. Business Analyst, Strategic Initiatives Feb. 2019 – March 2021

Review of current workflows and work streams with business teams to streamline, modify and update.

Develop new policies and procedures to maintain a level of consistency throughout the company.

Manage internal project and implementations, timelines, requirements.

Work directly with third party vendors for implementation projects.

Write RFP’s and evaluate corresponding responses.

Callidus Cloud Software/SAP June 2016 – December 2018

Sr. Business Analyst/Implementation Specialist, Professional Services

Worked as an Implementation Specialist to collaborate with new customers buying specialized software solutions.

Configure proprietary software based on client needs.

Prepare documentation, including BRD, FSD as required, to deliver solutions.

Work as liaison between customer and developers throughout implementation.

Guide customers via prototype sessions and onsite training.

Jack Henry and Associates - Contract Position February 2014 – Feb 2016

Sr. Business Analyst, Program Management Team

Implemented company software products for banks.

Consult with Developers and Financial Institutions for Fraud and BSA systems.

Develop requirements as deliverables within an Agile Methodology

oRequirements delivered for enhancement allowing for automated fraud notification.

Designed business framework for software solutions.

John Hancock Life Insurance Company, Boston MA October 2006- December 2013

Sr. Director, IT Shared Services

Led Business Analysts and Software Engineers in development of high-quality specifications for new development and enhancements to existing Legacy Life systems.

Consulted with business units to support existing systems, enhancements, and business process development.

Created an Infrastructure team to perform high-level support to Investment’s IT and Business groups.

Managed the implementation and rollout of several projects including: iPad rollout, system upgrades (MS 2010, Win 7) and Trader Phone upgrade.

Analyzed areas of inefficiency and created a plan to rollout solutions within target deadline.

Aviva Life Insurance Company, Quincy, MA March 2004- October 2006

Sr. Director, IT Enterprises

Supervised team of Business Systems Analysts, covering all Mainframe Life products and support to business areas.

Attended product development and enhancement user groups, representing Aviva.

Organized and restructured Business Systems Analyst team to improve turnaround time, product delivery and overall efficiency.

Implemented DTCC membership, including file transmission testing, communication with third party vendors and full integration.

Worked on committee to review Anti Money Laundering objectives to ensure compliance standards.

Redesigned Business Requirements and Functional Specifications Documents.

Protective Life Insurance Company, Birmingham AL March 1996 -Dec 2004

Director II, Client Administration

Managed a 30+ Administrative team, including a processing unit for all in force Life business as well as multi-functional call center.

Established, monitored, and balanced $3.2 million annual budget.

Improved quality service by lowering abandonment rate and queue time below industry average.

Improved Quality Assurance and significantly reduced gain/loss by 30%.

Developed and implemented a business conservation methodology that successfully retained approximately 8%-12% in force business.

Identified, requested, and implemented enhancements to systems and procedures to ensure efficient and effective administration of annuity business.

Attended LOMA EPAC committee as an active member.

Project Manager II, Life and Annuity Business Services

Coordinated new product implementation and system enhancements to meet the administrative, financial reporting and marketing needs of the division.

Headed the implementation and full association with the National Securities Clearing Corp. including membership on User Group.

Trained, developed, and managed a multi-functional staff of Business Analysts, Systems Analysts and Consultants.

Provided input to senior management in setting strategic goals regarding products and systems to achieve efficient quality and cost-effective services.

Managed the full conversion of Annuity Operational Systems including 35,000+ policies from Vantage to Leverage.

Provided input in setting long-range strategies and goals regarding products/systems to achieve efficient, cost-effective processing.

Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, Changepoint, JIRA, Confluence, Google Docs, Smartsheet, Producer Manager, Workflow, Salesforce, DocuSign, DTCC and Planview

Administrative Systems: LifePro, Lifecomm, Automated Work Distributor, DST, Vantage One, The Leverage System, DTCC

Education: BA, State University of New York at Oswego – Oswego, NY

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