ScreenGroove
Principal / 2010 – Present

Freelance UI/UX consulting + Wordpress Marketing Solutions for SMBs

• Custom Wordpress design / customization
• Wireframing / Prototyping
• Usability Analysis
• User Interface mockups for data rich applications
• Web 2.0 aesthetic applications to existing front-ends

ConnectWork Chicago
Founder / 2008 – 2010

A grassroots organization dedicated to helping local professionals cultivate career opportunities through innovative networking events. ConnectWork Chicago has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Crain’s Chicago, FOX News and WGN News among other media outlets.

Community Building/Social Media:

• Conceived and as established the CWC website as the predominant local resource for professionals in transition
• Built and grew community by 30% in 2010 (90% 2009); Built and grew Linkedin community group by 24% in 2010 (100% 2009)
• Extended brand awareness through strategic marketing and public relations initiatives.
• Architect, design and implement state-of-the art blog with ancillary blog modules – grew subscriber base by 24% in 2010
• Organize and promote monthly networking events increasing attendance by 43% in 2010, growing to some of the largest networking events specifically for job seekers in Chicago
• Sourced, vetted and built alliances with 8 notable career subject matter experts to build attendance and establish CWC as a valued Chicago career resource
• Increased community by 15% through strategic partnerships with local university career development offices: Loyola, Northwestern, DePaul, U of C

Marketing:

• Develop and lead marketing initiatives that include email marketing (34% open rate), PR initiatives (media attention through the Wall Street Journal, FOX News Chicago, WGN TV, and ABC News) and social media awareness
• Realized an average 7% conversion rate via paid online ad campaigns on Linked In, Facebook and Google Adwords
• Realized average 10% month-over-month website traffic growth through effective SEO/SEM implementation
• Led ConnectWork Chicago re-branding effort, including redesign of value proposition, website, logo, and marketing collateral

Event Management

• Increased event sponsor revenue by over 220% within the first year by developing a marketing strategy including email, cold calling, lead generation and social media
• Increased event sales 130% via lower cost webinars & teleseminar educational events
• Expanded events to the Chicagoland suburbs; Extended the OWC mission by organizing and promoting networking events designed to bring employers and job-seekers together while empowering job-seekers with career related advice

Process Improvement:

• Reduced event check-in time by over 40% by redesigning and improving streamlined event registration process
• Implement and set up web-based project management software that led to improved internal accountability and communication
• Approximately 5% of participants achieved interviews or offers due to event content

Hubbard One / Thomson Reuters
Project Manager / 8/2007 – 10/2008

A Thomson Reuters Company offering business development solutions that power the nation’s top law firms.

• Planed, executed and managed day-to-day rapid development, small team, web-based technology projects, ongoing support activities for multiple clients, while delivering projects within scope, on time and under budget
• Employed Agile, Scrum and Waterfall methodology practices to facilitate large projects through the SDLC.
• Created $72K additional revenue by developing client solutions around product offerings and services
• Routinely accelerated testing phase of projects by 10% through adept QA and bug tracking best practices.
• Saved average 18% of annual support costs by implementing support documentation training initiative resulting in reduced client inquiries
• Reduced average project planning budget 10% by standardizing Visio wire frame templates, thereby drastically shrinking functional documentation process
• Reduced new hire on-boarding by 3 days by developing/leading best Quality Assurance practice brown bag lunch series
• Contributed product improvement ideas through affinity groups – having 3 functional enhancements implemented into production resulting in 2 client system upgrades ($50K in client billing)

Signature Days
Account Manager | 2/2006 – 5/2007
Program Manager | 1/2005 – 2/2006

Internet start-up Company providing experience-related gifts within 50 major cities, oversee daily operations. Featured on the Tyra Banks Show, as well as significant media coverage in the Chicago market.

• Managed daily operations (Company’s 2nd employee) for start-up providing experience-related gifts within 50 major cities
• Established a vendor base over 800 suppliers by negotiating favorable contract terms and acquiring/closing prospect commitments
• Implemented SEO/SEM strategies to build web traffic including site structure, page construction, content, keyword research, SEO copywriting, and helped develop company web site
• Produced, updated and managed web site content including blog; Managed new product development and testing
• Initiated and managed email newsletter campaigns
• Served as the primary point of contact between the company and over 100 vendor partners within the SD service provider network, including United Airlines Mileage Plus, Hilton and American Express rewards programs
• Trained and supervised program management and customer service staff

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