Curt Alan Conklin
Chicago,IL
Summary
Knowledgeable Engagement Manager with robust background in managing client relationships, driving project success, and delivering impactful solutions by fostering stakeholder engagement and ensuring project alignment with business goals. Successful track record of strategic planning and delivery-based sales. Skilled strategic writer with expertise developing presale proposals, requirements, baselines, training documentation, and roadmaps. A creative problem solver.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Project Manager
The RoomPlace
01.2024 - 05.2024
- Managed Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, creating risk mitigation strategies and stakeholder alignment.
- Developed requirements, training documentation, and process baselines to optimize operational efficiency.
- Led cross-functional collaboration across accounting, purchasing, IT, and leadership teams.
- Implemented large complex solutions (Storis ERP, Bill.com, SharePoint, AI) to drive business recovery.
- Spearheaded a comprehensive workflow automation initiative that streamlined post-bankruptcy processes, resulting in a 40% reduction in staff and effort.
Senior Project Manager
Simple Laboratories
01.2019 - 12.2022
- Spearheaded EBITDA growth initiatives in preparation for a successful private equity acquisition.
- Designed and launched a $10M direct-to-patient COVID testing division, driving revenue expansion.
- Grew relationship through trusted advisor status, stakeholder engagement, and delivery-based selling.
- Led sales department restructuring, optimizing compensation models and process improvements.
- Lead large complex engagements including Salesforce (CRM), CPQ, PrecisionMDX (ERP), workflow automation, and developed process training materials.
- Used Jira and MS 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) for program management and stakeholder communication.
Engagement Manager
Netrix (PSC)
07.2016 - 12.2018
- In capacity as professional services executives, oversaw executive-level relationships with largest clients.
- Met with potential clients to assess presales needs, created proposals, and supported sales activities.
- Grew client relationships through trusted advisor status, stakeholder engagement, and delivery-based selling.
- Managed complex enterprise-level CRM and ERP implementations (CiviCRM, Raisers Edge, Tessitura, Workday) in a cloud environment.
- Led $15M sales team, refining compensation structures and performance-driven methodologies.
- Created a new $3M revenue stream pursuing government consulting RFPs, standardizing proposals, and ensuring compliance with licensing and financial regulations.
- Developed and implemented hybrid methodologies for client engagement based on best practices taken from agile and waterfall.
- Managed global work teams in India and Eastern Europe.
- Used Asana, Trello, MS 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), Proto.io for workflow automation and strategic execution.
Founder & Entrepreneur
Whoozat
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Founded a geolocation-based app startup, raising $1.2M in funding and securing partnerships with Chicago Cubs & MLB.
VP Digital Products
InspereX
01.2000 - 03.2003
- Developed large, complex, green-field systems that managed the underwriting process consistent with compliance, regulations, and company needs.
- Brought in pre-investment to help team of financial executives (including Chicago Cubs’ Tom Ricketts), fundraise, staff, and execute start-up investment bank.
Vice President, Digital Products
TD Ameritrade
06.1995 - 03.2000
- Designed and developed the world’s first online trading websites, revolutionizing fintech.
- Managed 10,000% digital transaction growth, transforming Ameritrade into the largest brokerage by trade volume.
- Created an early web-based CRM (precursor to Salesforce) and improved onboarding efficiency by 90%.
- Led stakeholder communication and executive alignment, ensuring seamless digital transformation.
- Oversaw Apache, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript, PERL, Python for core development.
Education
MBA -
Kellogg School of Management – Northwestern University
BS - Economics
University of Chicago
Skills
- Agile, Waterfall, & Hybrid PM
- Executive Leadership & Stakeholder Communication
- Coaching for Sales Leadership
- Strategic Planning
- Technology Implementation
- Delivery-focused Sales Strategies
- Process Optimization
- Risk Assessment and Compliance
- Change Management Strategies
- Global Project Oversight
Accomplishments
Certified Scrum Master 2018-Present
AI Expo Chair Financial Services 2022
Credited with world's 1st web trading site
Recent recovery from life-threatening illness
Affiliations
- Renaissance Society (Board Member, 15 years)
- Art Institute of Chicago (Board Member, 15 years)
- Artadia (Founding Donor & Board Member, 18 years)
- Fintech Ranger LLC (Advisory Board Member)
- AI Expo 2021 (Financial Services Chair & Emcee)
Timeline
Senior Project Manager
The RoomPlace
01.2024 - 05.2024
Senior Project Manager
Simple Laboratories
01.2019 - 12.2022
Engagement Manager
Netrix (PSC)
07.2016 - 12.2018
Founder & Entrepreneur
Whoozat
01.2013 - 01.2016
VP Digital Products
InspereX
01.2000 - 03.2003
Vice President, Digital Products
TD Ameritrade
06.1995 - 03.2000
BS - Economics
University of Chicago
MBA -
Kellogg School of Management – Northwestern University