Associate Director

Kadian Nelson

678-***-**** ************@*****.*** Alpharetta, GA 30004 linkedin.com/in/kadian-nelson-mba-a7a13228

Transforms business operations by optimizing claims processes, enhancing implementation strategies, and promoting continuous improvement.

Claims Lifecycle Management Strategic Implementation Planning Project Management Cross-Functional Collaboration

Team Development: Reduced onboarding time at The Hartford by collaborating closely with the training department to revamp the new hire program. Integrated live scenarios into training sessions, enabling new hires to contribute to live implementations.

Strategic Planning: Implemented a quality assurance program at Sun Life by establishing processes for reviewing RFP responses. Ensured accurate and high-quality information was sent to brokers, enhancing team efficiency and improving client satisfaction.

Performance Excellence: Improved cash flows at DDM by negotiating a shift from 90 to net 60 payment terms with ad agencies. Ensured timely payments, reduced the risk of financial deficits, and improved the company’s ability to maintain positive cash flow.

Partner Relationship Oversight

Client Satisfaction Enhancement

Business Performance Optimization

Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance

Service Level Agreements (SLA) Management

KPI Implementation & Performance Monitoring

Financial Planning & Analysis

Risk Management & Compliance Continuous Process Improvement

Professional Experience

DDM Group LLC

Director of Finance & Accounts Management 01/2023 – Present

Directed budget planning and financial oversight across multiple departments, ensuring accurate financial records and resource allocation. Managed client accounts with major ad agencies, developing and negotiating proposals to maximize company exposure and revenue. Coordinated with executives to verify financial strategies and maintained strong client relationships.

Ensured seamless financial reconciliation by meticulously comparing QuickBooks data with source documents, correcting discrepancies, and performing necessary journal adjustments. Maintained accurate accounts at the end of each month.

Facilitated financial decision-making by generating and analyzing profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow, and owner equity reports. Provided insights through detailed year-over-year and month-over-month comparisons, enabling strategic planning.

Expanded company capabilities by leading the successful launch of Destah, a streaming application. Managed the project team, coordinated resources, and met project milestones efficiently, contributing to the company's growth and diversification.

SUN LIFE

Assistant Director – Request for Proposal (RFP) Team 04/2022 – 01/2023

Led a team of RFP Analysts and a Marketing Content Consultant, providing training and development. Streamlined RFP/RFI processes to improve efficiency and developed strategies to enhance the RFP response database's functionality, ensuring high-quality proposals.

Developed resource capabilities by creating a system to assess strengths and areas for improvement. Conducted spot checks and one-on-one sessions to coach analysts on framing responses and turning potential negatives into positive alternatives.

Improved team performance by collaborating with the internal training department to tailor training programs. Organized sessions based on specific needs, ranging from individual coaching to group workshops, ensuring targeted development.

THE HARTFORD

Manager of Operations – Implementation Team 03/2021 – 04/2022

Oversaw a team of 10 Implementation Consultants responsible for onboarding new clients. Collaborated with sales, claims directors, and underwriters to provide feedback and resolve issues. Escalated internal and external problems to ensure smooth implementation processes and improve team efficiency.

Streamlined issue resolution by liaising with department leaders to secure necessary resources and exceptions for the team. Acted as an advocate for the team, facilitating escalations and ensuring quick resolutions to maintain project momentum.

Optimized staffing by validating workload and case volume data, justifying the need for additional Implementation Consultants. Played a key role in revamping the staffing model, ensuring the team was adequately resourced to handle increased demand.

Senior Implementation/Presale Consultant 02/2014 – 03/2021

Drove successful client onboarding and presale consulting, integrating roles to optimize processes and ensure seamless transitions. Enhanced efficiency and accuracy in client implementations, improved contract negotiations, and delivered timely RFP responses, contributing to increased client satisfaction and streamlined operations.

Managed efficient client onboarding by handling 15+ new implementations during peak seasons. Coordinated conversations with clients, brokers, and internal teams to gather necessary information, set systems correctly, and meet tight deadlines.

Secured favorable contract terms by negotiating performance guarantees with clients and brokers. Took client requests to internal teams and proposed feasible solutions, ensuring client satisfaction without compromising company standards.

Achieved 100% on-time delivery of RFPs by implementing a project management approach. Prioritized tasks, delegated requests to relevant experts, and ensured timely responses. Maintained meticulous records to streamline the presale process.

Maintained a 99.99% accuracy rate in claims systems by conducting detailed conversations with clients, documenting policy specifics, and ensuring all requests were accurately recorded and confirmed. Implemented a log system to track changes.

Training Consultant 07/2012 – 01/2014

Spearheaded training initiatives focusing on long and short-term disability, absence management, and life insurance analysis. Conducted ~15 training sessions annually for both new hires and tenured employees. Developed and delivered in-person and remote training programs, ensuring comprehensive employee development and skill enhancement across various departments.

Achieved high training effectiveness by designing and leading comprehensive training programs. Received consistent positive feedback, with positive ratings on post-training surveys, and ensured new hires were well-prepared for their roles.

Developed and implemented mock claims exercises, leveraging long-term disability analyst experience. Ensured trainees gained hands-on experience with realistic scenarios, improving their problem-solving skills and readiness for actual job responsibilities.

Senior Long-Term Disability Claims Analyst 07/2007 – 07/2012

Managed a high caseload of ~150 long-term disability claims, ensuring timely and accurate decision-making. Built strong relationships with claimants and physicians to expedite information gathering. Maintained open communication to keep all parties informed. Evaluated on turnaround time, proactively following up on outstanding information, and ensuring efficient claims processing.

Optimized claims resolution efficiency by taking on additional responsibilities, including managing claims milestone report. Collaborating with settlement department to offer lump sum payouts to claimants nearing the end of the benefit period. Provided regular updates and personalized communication, ensuring claimants were well-informed.

Improved fraud detection on my cases by creating and sharing a personalized fraud indicators list with the team. Enhanced the accuracy and effectiveness of claims management, benefiting both personal workflow and team performance.

Previous Experiences: Annuity Payment Services Specialist at MassMutual and Team Leader at Target.

Education & Certifications

Master of Business Administration (Management), Argosy University

Bachelor of Business Administration (Finance), Morris Brown College

Financial Accounting Course, Harvard Business School

Certified Bookkeeper, Intuit

Technical Skills

Salesforce, QuickBooks, Monday.com, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace

Kadian Nelson Resume Page 02 678-***-**** ************@*****.*** linkedin.com/in/kadian-nelson-mba-a7a13228

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