Manager Project

Professional Summary:

** ***** ********** ** ******* Analysis and Program and Product Management providing outstanding team, departmental, and cross-functional leadership to produce top-quality products and services, with constant attention to customer satisfaction and superb product/service quality. Rare ability to think quickly to solve the crisis of the moment; see both the forest and the trees; communicate effectively and often; keep all projects moving forward, even when faced with ambiguity; change direction quickly; and to do it all without ever losing my composure or sense of humor. Huge fan of personal coaching (both giving and receiving) and embracing the best ideas (which often come from other people). Quick learner; plays well with others.

Education:

• BA-Organizational Leadership, George Fox University, 10/97

• MA program-Psychology, Vermont College, coursework completed 03/02 (thesis not completed)

Expertise:

• Leadership and team dynamics; problem solving; interpersonal skills; presentation, verbal and written communication; process improvement; cross-functional interaction; product design and prototyping; internal and external documentation/reports

Community Activities:

• Portland Opera Supernumerary, 2007 Season

• Salem/Keizer School District Budget Advisory Committee, 2003-2004

• Expedition Charter School Board Member, 2002-2003

• Oregon Legislative Task Force on Special Education, 2001-2003

• Salem Historic Film Society President, 2000-2004

Experience:

• Inspiration Software, Inc Business Systems Analyst/Technical Product Manager, 2007-2011

• Provided exceptional technical product management/systems analysis for all product offerings, including coordinating development of major releases of 2 legacy desktop products, ushering a new web-based product from beta testing to market release, and implementing a new mobile app

Elicited requirements from subject matter experts, ensuring that company visions and client needs were always well understood and documented

Translated those visions and needs into actionable product and feature requirement documentation

Led cross-functional teams to ensure that all departments were well prepared for product launches

Used Agile development methodologies to lead multiple high-functioning scrum and kanban teams

Served as a communications conduit between the product owners and the development team

Served as Project Manager for all projects

Regularly conducted presentations for product owners, development and QA staff, sales, marketing, customers, and potential customers

Led internal design reviews for product road-mapping

Worked closely with development and QA to answer any implementation detail questions

Produced high-fidelity feature prototypes as a way to communicate behaviors, interactions, and look-and-feel to all stake-holders

Coordinated work efforts of outsourced design and development resources

Managed the bug-review process for all products

Routinely traveled to trade shows to deliver professional presentations to clients and leads

Created and maintained user documentation for all products

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• NW Evaluation Association Business Systems Analyst/Product Manager, 2004-2006

• Coordinated product development from conception through deployment:

Worked closely with development, QA, project management, sales, marketing, support, and executive staff to ensure product releases were of the highest quality, within budget, and on time

Analyzed client needs and translated those needs into detailed product requirements/specifications

Analyzed market and industry trends to ensure our road-map would meet client needs long term

Developed interface sketches to guide the consistent look and feel of our product offerings

Recognized unarticulated needs and provided solutions

Wrote detailed project proposals, presentations, reports, user manuals, quick guides, white papers, sales and marketing collateral, and client communications

Balanced internal and external needs and expectations to deliver the best product possible, while maintaining profitability

Wrote and edited complex technical manuals

Maintained a strong client focus in all aspects of my work, acting as the client advocate in the development process

Transitioned easily between macro and micro views of organizational values, product offerings, and individual components

• NW Evaluation Association Client Support Interim Director, 2003-2004

• NW Evaluation Association Program Manager/Technical Support Dept. Manager, 2000-2003

• Established acclaimed client support/call center for high-growth, client-focused organization

• Managed call center/client support department with 20 staff members, serving 2000 clients, focusing on effective staffing levels

• Coordinated all client relationship management functions

• Directed all aspects of employee relations including: hiring, firing, training, daily coaching and supervision; and employee appraisals

• Exercised strong leadership skills, enhanced by intensive leadership training

• Managed department budgets to ensure cost effectiveness

• Successfully repaired client relations when serious problems arose, using creative problem solving

• NW Evaluation Association Product Manager/Technical Support, 1995-2000

• Provided technical support for all product lines

• Analyzed and solved complex problems related to proprietary software

• Fostered highly positive relationships with 2000 clients

• Promoted a client-focused environment throughout the organization

• Oregon Dept of Education Executive Support Specialist, 1991-1995

• Provided administrative support to the Associate Superintendent of Assessment and Curriculum

• Organized and executed week-long teacher in-service programs

• Coordinated all aspects of several state-wide traveling text-book events

• Assessed technical needs of county-wide service providers

• Jossey-Bass Publisher Communications Coordinator, 1989-1990

• Coordinated all communications needs of a fast-paced publishing company

• Wrote and produced corporate communications, including marketing material, release notifications, policy guides, style guides, and white papers

• Created and produced a corporation-wide newsletter

References: LinkedIn.com (Spencer Warden). More available upon request

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