Abdel Lazaar

Second-in-command to – and strategic planning collaborator with – VP of Education and Chief Medical Officer of Graduate Medical Education. Served as Chief Administrative resource for the development of new strategies and implementation plans designed to effectuate the expansion of existing programs, developed new and innovative programs, and managed the operations of the GME enterprise.

• Managed a team of 7 direct & 30 indirect staff fostering a positive culture of high performance & accountability.
• Collaborated with the executive leadership team in developing long-term financial goals, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
• Spearheaded strategic initiatives that expanded existing GME programs, resulting in a 25% increase in residency and student placements and the introduction of five innovative fellowship tracks over two years.
• Prepared and managed the division’s finances, including the annual capital and operating budget ($68M), and optimized cash flow management through diligent monitoring of receivable, payable and investment activities.
• Performed audits and developed accurate monthly forecasts using historical data trends combined with current market conditions for enhanced decision-making capabilities.
• Reduced overhead costs by identifying inefficiencies and implementing targeted cost-saving measures across various departments.
• Oversaw the day-to-day employee-related activities by managing hiring, training, disciplinary actions, professional development, promotion, benefits, payroll, compliance, and performance evaluation.
• Ensured compliance with local, state, and federal regulations in all operational aspects.
• Improved internal processes and increased operational efficiency through the integration of new technologies and system automation.
• Drafted Dept’s contracts and managed vendor relationships and negotiations, achieving cost savings without compromising service quality.
• Established a comprehensive filing system that improved document retrieval time by 50%, allowing team members to access critical information swiftly and enhancing overall departmental efficiency.
• Mentored and developed future leaders within the administrative team.

Strategic planning collaborator with Dean of International Affairs for $14 million medical school “profit center.” Responsible for all financial, service delivery, and internal/external partnerships of the office that places international medical graduates in residency, fellowship, and research positions at20 affiliated hospitals

• Partnered with new Dean in transforming office in administrative, financial and service delivery/relationship chaos into a smoothly running, financially stable organization with expanded services and revenue opportunities.
• Enhanced company image through strategic planning of events showcasing organizational achievements resulting in new recruitment initiatives in Europe, Asia and Africa.
• Managed departmental budgets ($14M) and developed robust forecasting models to project revenues, expenses, and cash flows accurately for strategic planning purposes.
• Drove revenue growth through the identification of new market opportunities and expansion initiatives.
• Identified opportunities to streamline processes and improve office operations and efficiency, including a new online database for clients and CRM software.
• Ensured compliance with local, state, federal tax regulations; timely filing of all required documents, mitigating potential penalties or fines.
• Negotiated favorable terms with vendors, resulting in significant cost savings for the University.
• Developed high-performing teams through effective coaching, mentoring, and performance strategies.
• Managed daily office operations, negotiated contracts, managed vendor relations and acted as primary liaison with outside organizations.

Led staff of twelve in managing transfer agent control and institutional client operations, including account management and administration service delivery

• Participated in new business development and client relationship management, from strategy planning to presentations to potential new transfer agent mutual fund clients
• Developed/maintained institutional client relationships through consulting and problem solving for them and their shareholder clients
• Administered transfer agent control environment to ensure proper accounting, operations, risk mitigation for JP Morgan, its clients and their shareholders
• Reported on transfer agent performance standards, worked across departments to ensure effective service delivery
• Hired, trained/coached, managed staff to meet business goals

Rewarded for personal initiative on process improvements in earlier operations management role, began taking on additional projects beyond department responsibilities, then selected as a project leader for more strategic, enterprise-wide improvement efforts

• Hired, led staff on a wide range of mission-critical projects
• Led initiative to develop and execute new IT strategy to automate critical company business processes, including database-centered solution to more than halve the cost of customer communications
• Developed new, more cost-effective work processes that reduced expenses by20%, significantly improved client satisfaction and slashed error rates by30%
• Developed plan and created new BFDS seasonal staffing group, saving $500,000 in temporary labor costs, to meet company’s periodic heavy workload needs
• Developed/employed a creative and administrative best practices approach to project management, from brainstorming project opportunities and scope to managing project lifecycle and budgeting