Project Manager Senior

JOSEPH RICKS

STEVENSON RANCH, CA ********@*****.*** 818-***-****

LinkedIn Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/josephricks

IT PROGRAM/SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Driven IT project manager with extensive experience leading a diverse range of development, business intelligence, and database-driven projects, consistently exceeding goals through strategic initiatives, fostering strong relationships, and transforming dysfunctional teams into highly productive and goal-focused groups, while managing budgets and delivering projects on time and within budget.

Consistently meets or exceeds established goals/objectives through innovative strategic initiatives that integrate and establish highly effective business solutions and more efficient business operations.

Exceptional team director and project manager, able to align new IT departments as cohesive units, regardless of members’ prior agendas, by enabling them to see the bigger picture, acknowledge common objectives, and champion accountability across all projects.

Cultivates strong internal/external relationships that attract future, positive opportunities.

Enabled change management in the context of digital transformation projects involving ITSM and PMI industry practices.

Possesses proven history of completing key projects well within established timelines and budgets.

A team turnaround expert, transforming dysfunctional engineering/development teams into highly productive, goal-focused, team-centric groups.

Identifies, tracks, and delivers business solutions rapidly using well-honed organizational and time-management skills.

Experienced in establishing and maintaining operating and capital budgets of $100,000 – $20M,

Experienced in data integrity/disaster recovery and contingency planning, R&D, risk assessment, and cost-benefit analyses.

Enabled change management in the context of digital transformation projects using industry best practices and extensive stakeholder outreach.

Extensive experience with enterprise infrastructure, application development, and Web-based technologies project management.

Project Portfolio Management tools used: Clarity PPM, Smartsheet, Monday.com, MS Project, MS Project Server, SharePoint

Used ServiceNow for IT support and department ticketing and workflow processes.

Product/Marketing Strategy analysis & implementation.

10 years of experience using ASP.C#.NET.

5 years of experience using Java, J2EE technologies.

5 Years experience in Supply Chain for Oracle Netsuite ERP.

15 years of experience designing IT/POC processes for evaluation/final selection of vendors, adoption of new technology

Extensive experience with creating/coordinating/monitoring help desk systems and related processes.

20+ years of experience using SDLC Waterfall, Agile/SCRUM/SAFE development methodologies.

Technical Skills

Database Development and Administration (Microsoft SQL / Analysis / Reporting Services) • Microsoft BI Stack• Power BI Dashboards • Business Process Management (BPM) •Tableau Software • Microsoft SharePoint 2013/2019/SharePoint Online 365•Microsoft Office Desktop/Office365•Peoplesoft HCM •Workday• Microsoft Visio • Microsoft Windows and Mac Servers/Desktops/Operating systems • Java • C• C#• SDLC Waterfall/Agile/SCRUM/SAFE Development Methodologies • Web Services •Service-Orientated Architecture (SOA) •Project Management Body of Knowledge. (PMBOK) •Law Firm Knowledge Management Initiatives• Mobile Application Development• Document Management System (OpenText eDocs 5.3). •Content Management System (Sitecore, DNN 9.0, CMS 400) • Employee/Customer Data Platforms • Portfolio Project Management: Clarity, Open Work Bench, Smartsheet, Base Camp Project Management tools• ServiceNow• ITIL v3 Service Operation/Delivery processes & policies governing change management processes.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

HOULIHAN LOKEY, LOS ANGELES, CA 7/2023 – 2/2024

Project Manager (contract position): Responsible for managing the Employee Experience Portal (EXP) project by leading stakeholder meetings, developing project deliverables, including project plan and timeline, scope documentation and project artifacts on MS Teams, SharePoint, and Box. The EXP portal project is a centralized web interface for essential information concerning company news, departments, and office locations worldwide. Created a digital transformation roadmap in terms of taking a 2010 era on-premises SharePoint server with limited department functionality and transforming it into a major employee engagement portal, complete with office and region localization for domestic and international offices, along with creating workflows that facilitated cross-functional team collaboration among business units. Conducted vendor evaluation/POC process for the new experience portal. I also monitored project progress against deliverables to ensure project stays within stated deliverables and budget. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and third-party vendors to ensure project objectives are met while maintaining a focus on employee engagement and satisfaction. Develop project documentation in MS Project, Visio, PowerPoint, and Excel. Use appropriate verification techniques to manage changes in project scope and schedule. Measure project performance using appropriate systems, tools, and techniques. Conduct weekly status meetings with internal team as well as the outside vendors. Responsible for tracking key project milestones and adjusting project plans and/or resources. Manage the relationship with the vendor and all stakeholders through bi-weekly status reports. Perform risk management to mitigate and minimize project risks.

HIRSCH PIPE AND SUPPLY, Van Nuys, CA 4/2018 – 4/2023

IT Project Manager: Maintained a deep understanding of organizational goals and strategies to align project objectives with company priorities. As the lead project manager, delegated tasks, and managed team productivity, while formulating accurate and technically feasible project scopes and objectives to satisfy all stakeholders. Communicated project status to all relevant stakeholders, utilizing reports and presentations. Maintained industry best practices in project management, in accordance with the Project Management Institute (PMI). I performed a comprehensive review and analysis of existing and proposed business systems and processes, identifying areas for improvement in preparation for a major digital and process transformation initiative that consisted of enhancements to the legacy ERP (SHIMS) as well as transition to the newer ERP (Netsuite) including financials, supply chain, inventory optimization, eCommerce and; CRM functions within the organization. Conducted a number of vendor evaluations/POC for new product adoption. In addition, I was the point person that coordinated a complete overhaul of on-premises SharePoint 2010 with limited Intranet functionality to a cloud-based SharePoint Online with several enhancements of department-specific workflows, issue tracking, a new meeting structure within the organization and HCM process improvements. I ensured optimal allocation of project resources in line with project plans and deliverables. Managed project artifacts in Jira, Confluence, and Microsoft SharePoint, utilizing the platform as a central project repository. I worked with MS Project, Project Server, Monday.com and MS SharePoint for Project Portfolio Management. I employed Agile/SCRUM/SAFE as well as SDLC/Waterfall development methodologies. I used ServiceNow for companywide ticketing and workflow support. Developed efficient reporting tools using SharePoint and Microsoft Power BI to further streamline project management processes.

Projects managed: the migration of an RS/6000 on-premise system to a cloud environment; the migration of a SharePoint 2010 on-premise environment to a SharePoint online portal, along with additional workflow processes to support departmental workflows for ticket creation and resolution; creation of a store-based customer kiosk for status on orders; the implementation of a Oracle Netsuite ERP system for financial and supply chain systems; the development of an external customer website for order fulfillment; the development and implementation of a CRM system for customer outreach and loyalty programs; the development and implementation of an HR onboarding and applicant tracking system..

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles, CA 11/2017 – 4/2018

IT Project Manager (contract position): Designed comprehensive project plans and weekly status reports while taking an approach to identifying and managing project risks. Conducted thorough gap analysis of the AS IS versus TO BE environment utilizing tools such as MS Project, Visio, and SharePoint. Managed bug tracking with JIRA, ensuring efficient issue tracking and resolution. Formulated accurate and technically feasible project scopes and objectives, ensuring timely delivery within budget. Efficiently managed resource availability and allocation to align project resources with project plans and deliverables. Assisted USC internal IT resources with the implementation and rollout of JIRA, streamlining the project management process. Integrated JIRA status reporting with SharePoint group collaboration functions to enhance project management efficiency. Monitored JIRA issue inflow, identified resource needs, and performed quality reviews. Used ServiceNow for IT helpdesk support. Coordinated communication with all areas of the enterprise that impacted the scope, budget, risk, and resources of high-complexity projects being managed.

CYBERCODERS, Valencia, CA 5/2017 – 11/2017

Senior Technical Project Manager (contract position): Manage responsive website design projects for mobile, tablet and desktop platforms using DNN and Sitecore web content management systems. Development platforms: Windows .NET, Java. and Xamarin for mobile development on Android, Apple IOS and Windows apps with native user interfaces. Develop project plans, weekly status reports, budgets, determined project risk, and traceability for requirements against deliverables in Smartsheet, MS Project, Jira, Confluence, Visio, and SharePoint. Manage bug tracking with Mantis. Formulate project scope and objectives for all relevant stakeholders for accuracy and technical feasibility. Ensure that all projects are delivered on time, within scope and within budget Ensure resource availability and allocation of project resources against the project plan and deliverables. Use appropriate verification techniques to manage changes in project scope, schedule, and cost. Measure project performance using appropriate systems, tools, and techniques. Conduct weekly status meeting with external clients. Used SDLC/Waterfall and Agile SCRUM development methodologies. Responsible for tracking key project milestones and adjusting project plans and/or resources. Manage the relationship with the client and all stakeholders. Perform risk management to minimize project risks. Performed queries and database analysis on project-related technical issues using Microsoft SQL Server. Managed and routed Jira tickets to software development, web and hardware resources for the project.

HONDA NORTH AMERICA (SHARP DECISIONS, INC), Torrance, CA 5/2016 – 12/2016

Senior IT Project Manager (contract position): Ensured timely delivery, adherence to high-quality standards, and exceeded customer expectations. Conducted AS IS versus TO BE gap analysis and drafted ServiceNow, ITIL, and Project Portfolio Management (PPM) procedures for internal use. Enabled digital transformation and process improvements by making business process and infrastructure equipment recommendations based on stakeholder feedback. Tracked key project milestones and adjusted project plans and resources. Produced business process flows and system architecture diagrams using Visio for Honda North America's IT operations. Coordinated communication with stakeholders to align all areas of the enterprise with project scope, budget, risk, and resources. Managed cross-functional projects of high complexity while overseeing the management of multiple moderately to highly complex medium to large-sized projects, concerning software governance, software licensing, middleware support procedures, backup strategy, equipment refresh cycles. Conducted RACI analysis and enhancements in collaboration with multiple Honda workstreams, including licensing and governance.

LEGAL AID FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES, Los Angeles, CA

10/2015 – 4/2016

Director of Information & Technology (contract position): Responsible for running the day-to-day operation of the Information Technology department. Develop, recommend, and implement short and long-range technology plans. Managed LAFLA data center, upgraded routers, switches, SAN equipment. Develop, recommend, and implement policy for the use of technology in the delivery of legal services. Develop, recommend, and implement standards for equipment and software acquisition, installation, and use. Chair LAFLA’s Technology Committee. Prepared business process flows and system architecture diagrams in Visio. Develop and administer program wide computer training. Develop, recommend, and administer budget for technology.

MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (MPAA), Sherman Oaks, CA 9/2014– 10/2015

ISP Program Manager: Responsible for running the day-to-day operation of the MPAA ISP Outreach Program in the protection of copyrighted digital assets online. Responsible for interfacing with Internet Service Providers and scanning vendors in monitoring and scanning P2P networks for motion picture and music copyright infringement on the Internet. Responsible for generating detailed analytical reports senior management on infringement activity. Partners with in-house data scientist in the development of data modeling, reporting, analysis, and visualization tools for MPAA and its member companies in understanding copyright infringement activities behavior online. Prepared MPAA business process flows and system architecture diagrams in Visio. Conducted an extensive analysis of ISP and third-party data and reporting platforms to detect, record, categorize, and ultimately transform MPA piracy detection systems to meet rapidly changing privacy scenarios occurring on the Internet. Responsible for managing and tracking expenditures against ISP Outreach Budget. Provide business and technical guidance in developing in-house applications and database-driven initiatives as part of the ISP Outreach Program. Provide ongoing strategic, design and support for SharePoint 2010 enterprise portal. Performed security/vulnerability assessments/framework for desktop, email, and server systems, enhance security processes for intrusion detection of email-encrypted servers as part of Sony hack remediation efforts in 2014. Provide ongoing strategic, design and support for SharePoint 2010 enterprise portal.

FOREVER 21, Los Angeles, CA 12/2012– 9/2014

Senior IT Project Manager: Mentored and guided junior and mid-level business analysts on project skills and best practices to ensure successful project delivery. Communicated strategy, direction, and project deliverables in a project team environment to ensure successful project outcomes. Scheduled feedback sessions with business stakeholders to ensure project scope and deliverables met business objectives. Made substantial digital transformation and process improvements by assisting with the design development of a centralized IT PMO for the organization to handle project intake, perform preliminary benefits and business case analysis for ongoing or potential projects. In addition, I designed IT, project management, HR, finance, and store design and operations SharePoint sites with webparts, document libraries, custom lists, wiki, and blog pages on SharePoint 2010/2013. Used Clarity PPM and MS Project Server for Project Portfolio Management. Upgraded Forever 21 enterprise intranets from SharePoint 2010 to 2013 to improve functionality and user experience. Developed MS Dynamics POC for senior management to demonstrate the value of new technology and solutions. Led the F21 Planning & Allocation System project as the primary project manager to successfully deliver project outcomes. Performed supply chain process, BPM/PPM analysis, and management work for F21 SAP implementation to improve process efficiency and reduce costs. Provided secondary analysis and support work on POS (Point of Sale) terminals to ensure successful project delivery.

FARMERS INSURANCE, Los Angeles, CA 4/2012 – 08/2012

Program Manager, Business Intelligence (contract position): Direct all day-to-day project activities for a major Business Intelligence architecture initiative at Farmer Insurance in Los Angeles. Responsibilities include managing and directing the technical activities of two junior-level program managers, (onshore) along with multiple BI and development resources (offshore) in developing an infrastructure, processes, and tools for a data repository in J2EE. Drafted BPM requirements/enhancements. Developed BI project management dashboard on SharePoint 2010. Responsibilities also include planning and controlling project costs and budgets, reporting weekly project status to senior management, managing, and enforcing the IT software development project lifecycle, overseeing change management, QA, and user acceptance testing; monitoring achievement of SLAs with suppliers, working with business units to define needs and communicating, escalation, and financial impact concerns when SLAs are not met. Prepared Farmers IT business process flows and system architecture diagrams in Visio.

O’MELVENY & MYERS LLP, Los Angeles, CA 4/2006 – 10/2011

Senior Manager, Development & Applications:

Direct all firmwide application development, database, business analysis, and integration strategy development and implementation for an American Lawyer 2009 A-list, top 20 international law firm, supporting 15 offices globally comprised of 1,000 attorneys. Hire, train, and supervise a team of 16 application developers, business analysts, project managers, and database administrators in a Microsoft.NET, Java, Javascript, SQL Server/Reporting/Analysis Services, and Crystal Reports Enterprise environment. Devise and execute all project plans/artifacts and initiatives involving the design, development, and implementation of organizational information systems and software applications, including requirements and use cases in addition to maintaining, supporting, and upgrading existing software applications such as Case Map 9 and Concordance, (case management) Compu Law 10.5.2, (court docketing and calendaring) Elite Enterprise 3.6, (client financial management) OpenText (document management)and Accutrac. (records management) Prepared business process flows and system architecture diagrams in Visio. Directed releases through change control and deployment. Structured case artifacts and improved document scanning and categorization processes using OpenText Document Management System. Provided AGILE and Traditional SDLC Waterfall support for in-house application development projects within a SCRUM framework. Managed QA and User Testing Team with KANBAN methods. Partnered with HRIS on a one-year Workday implementation conversion from Ceridian HR. Implemented Microsoft Dynamics CRM/Aderant CRM 4 Legal solutions of concept system for management. Provided Business Relationship Management (BPM) support for senior management on key projects and deliverables.

EDUCATION

CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY, Master of Business Administration, MIS, May 1996

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, May 1992

LEARNING TREE UNIVERSITY, Certification in Project Management, July 2001

SCRUM ALLIANCE, Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) May 2023

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