Earl Taylor
Project Management
Columbia,SC
Summary
A Strategic Leader with over 20 years of experience in management, operations, consulting, program, and enterprise-wide project management for healthcare providers and health insurance companies. Coach and servant leader of on-site, near and offshore development teams tasked with creating and maintaining “next-generation” multi-platform customer-facing software applications. Strong track record of collaboration across departmental lines and establishing thought leadership around shared organizational challenges. Proven experience optimizing operational processes to reduce cost, increase revenue, ensure client success, and drive company valuation. Program Manager, Project Manager and Release Train Engineer applying Agile project methodologies to the management of up to 75 technologists. Demonstrated success in building high-impact, dynamic teams and fostering employee empowerment, development, and morale to drive performance and reduce turnover.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
8
8
Certification
Work History
Release Train Engineer / Program Lead Consultant
CAQH
07.2023 - Current
- RTE for Research and Development Agile Release Train (ART) consisting of five teams with the following objectives:
- Create technology and data solutions that form a robust foundation for advancing CI/CD product pipelines
- Build automations of essential R&D business processes through the implementation of innovative technologies
- Improve user experience for R&D staff in capturing, analyzing, and deriving insights through technology platforms
- ART team successes contributed to strategic priorities in:
- Improving success rates of technology and data solutions
- Reductions in cycle times for data solutions
- Enhancing data accessibility and streamlining the sharing of Health Providers products and program data across organizations
Release Train Engineer / Program Lead Consultant (Centene)
Yoh, A Day Zimmerman Company
08.2022 - 10.2023
- Responsible for the management and execution of value streams to support the delivery of strategic technology products and financial automation solutions
- Fosters Lean-Agile principles within the organization and help balance lean-agile execution and program management activities to deliver solutions more effectively
- Leveraging Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) to drive lean-agile delivery within the release train
- Consulted client initiatives on best practices for Agile and SAFe frameworks in delivering Salesforce implementations that included design, development, and testing efforts, Data Warehousing, and Infrastructure upgrades
- Defined norms/agreements for the Agile Release Train (ART) and enforced the agreements as well as coordinating and facilitating ART ceremonies (e.g., Backlog Refinement, Big Room Planning (BRP), ART Sync (or PO Sync, Scrum of Scrums), System Demos, Retrospectives
Engagement Director / Solution Train Engineer Consultant
Launch IT Consulting
10.2021 - 08.2022
- Solution Train Engineer responsible for multiple ARTs (focusing on Pricing and Platform modernization solutions).
- Developing Strategic Empathetic Engagement frameworks with Partner/Product Management Stakeholders that governs cross-functional strategic portfolio themes.
- Partnering with global IT and Business Leadership to manage activities related to IT Strategy and Solutioning.
- Consulted client initiatives on best practices for Agile and SAFe frameworks
Sr. AVP – Implementations / Solution Train Engineer
EXL Solutions
06.2018 - 08.2021
- Servant leader and coach for the Solutions train consisting of on-shore, off-shore, and near-shore teams
- Establish and facilitate Iterations and Program Increments (PIs) across multiple ARTs
- Facilitate multi train PI events, weekly synchronization, ART Sync and Solution Sync meetings
- Track the execution of features and capabilities (Program and Solution Boards)
- Aggregate program PI objectives into Solution PI Objectives
- Track the execution of initiatives/milestones/features and capabilities
- Communicate with stakeholders across all levels, escalates impediments, manages risk and dependencies
- Facilitate System and Solution Demos
- Drive relentless improvement via Inspect and Adapt workshops across the solution
- Coach leaders, SMS, PMs, POs and teams in Lean-Agile practices and mindset
- Achievements:
- Coached and led a newly established train consisting of seven teams
- Restructured teams and adjusted staff to perform higher by skill set, job function, and location
- Trained all train members on SAFe and agile best practices
- Successfully planned 8 PIs with multiple locations and time zones
- Streamlined PI planning events by facilitating proper pre-planning activities and setting expectations
Release Train Engineer/Agile Leader
SS&C/DST Health Solutions
06.2015 - 06.2018
- Manage project portfolio that provides services and solutions for health plans, health insurance marketplaces, and health care providers so that they can manage processes, information, and products that support their customers
- Manage multiple Salesforce projects resulting in a 35% increase in productivity and a 25% increase in sales. Coordinated with cross-functional teams and ensured successful delivery of projects within budget and on time.
- Led Salesforce Health Cloud initiatives resulting in the following improvements:
- Decreasing response times on calls to less than 40% making data more readily available
- Responsible for the delivery of product, creation of process flow roadmaps, User Story mapping, monitoring product OKRS and launching of the product into production
- Developed project plans and monitored progress using Agile methodologies.
- Led a team of developers and administrators in the implementation of a new Salesforce CRM system resulting in a 20% improvement in customer satisfaction and broker experience.
- Developed and implemented change management processes resulting in a significant reduction in post-implementation issues.
- Portfolio Management, Process Improvement Consulting (Six Sigma), Improving business results through data analysis, RCA's and defect resolution, while incorporating workflow improvement utilizing value stream mapping.
- Led enterprise wide initiative to deliver a Broker Portal that achieved the following:
- Strengthen Health Plan brand perception
- Provide role-based access to company website
- Empower brokers with relevant and personalized information
- Assist client leadership in evaluating their existing business workflows to identify functional gaps; research and work collaboratively with departments and end users to create solutions.
Sr. Project Manager/Release Train Engineer Consultant
Lash Group Amerisourcebergen
06.2014 - 06.2015
- Partnered with IT and operational teams to build and maintain technical solutions to support Client Program needs
- Managed 5+ large-scale Salesforce projects simultaneously, resulting in a 20% increase in revenue for clients.
- Provided guidance and leadership to Operations to assist with project prioritization for multiple client programs
- Direct and maintain work schedules, budgets, and resources
- Create and direct a collaborative approach to launch new products or resolve technical issues
- Manage projects in matrixed environments, which includes vendors and offshore teams.
- Manage all aspects of assigned projects from project initiation through project implementation
Sr. Tech Project Manager /Scrum Master Consultant
Anthem Wellpoint
08.2013 - 06.2014
- Managed $3 million project to migrate legacy Care and Case Management System to new platform
- Salesforce project manager to develop a Health/Sales cloud solution for external agencies
- Implemented Salesforce Lightning Components to select group of users to customize dashboards and reporting functionality
- Managed 7 Project Managers across 5 business areas with overall budget oversight
- Directed Anthem's largest $7 million Electronic Medical Record (EMR) wireless Penchart system replacement project that greatly improved patient data capture quality, leading to effective and efficient diagnosis and resulting in clarity of data received by pharmacies and referring physicians
Enterprise Project Delivery Manager Consultant
Blue Cross Blue Shield of LA
02.2012 - 02.2013
- Responsible for Program Management of the portfolio of 39 projects within the Corporate Affordability Pillar.
- In a strong matrix environment, effectively led up to 16 development teams.
- Responsible for delivery of SDLC projects, resulting from strategic changes, federal compliance request, new business, Healthcare reform and other mandated changes.
- Successfully implemented yearly mandated changes and open enrollment software initiatives for the Group and Individual Med Advantage product and directly managed the implementation and testing of a $4 million project to upgrade the legacy Medical Management System to a cloud-based platform
Sr. Project Manager
Compuware Consulting - NASCO
02.2011 - 02.2012
- Successfully implemented the 27X, 820,835 transactions and Claims Edit with End-to-End testing using SDLC, while managing 20 member team including remote and offshore resources.
- Managed $4 million budget across multiple years with 20+ resources.
- Served as Compuware onsite project lead for NASCO account and managed enterprise-wide risk analysis which identified risks related to HIPAA/HITECH legislation; developed mitigation strategies to avoid PII or PHI
Sr. Project Leader
Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC
03.2008 - 01.2011
- In a strong matrix environment, effectively led up to 16 development teams.
- Responsible for delivery of SDLC projects, resulting from strategic changes, federal compliance request, new business, Healthcare reform, and other mandated changes.
- Led strategic initiatives for Case Management process improvement initiatives.
- Managed Health Care Reform Initiatives, government compliance projects, and Salesforce
- Managed all technology elements of the project including the datacenter build-out, including hardware, software and WAN infrastructure, including hardware, software and consulting vendors in coordination of the installation.
- Managed and controlled all daily plan level reconciliations and record keeping activities.
- Acted as a primary client contact regarding plan level and participant level inquires and concerns.
- Ensured data integrity relating to participant accounts on Fidelity participant record keeping system.
- Monitored and interfaced with the payroll and benefit departments regarding wire transmissions and participant's indicative data information.
Sr. Project Manager
Core BTS IT Consulting
01.2007 - 02.2008
- Contracted to provide technical project management and process improvement regarding strategic staffing and procedures compliance.
- Successfully managed the project planning, scope, and requirements definition for a $2.7 million data center migration project.
Project Manager
SBC/ATT
03.1998 - 11.2006
- Lead team of 24 engineers during critical project milestones, ranging from $1 million to $15 million.
- Created project plans with established timelines for integral phases, assigned to appropriate teams, managed workflow and achieved RFP submissions and completion deadlines on or before schedule.
- Enhanced development and drove continuous improvement of project delivery process by providing strong program leadership.
Active Duty / Veteran
United States Marine Corps
02.1983 - 02.1998
Education
MBA - Project Management
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NHMS - Org. Leadership
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NHBS - Management
St. Josephs College of Maine
Standish, MEAS - Management
Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu, HISkills
- SaaS Technologies CRM Project Planning, Forecasting, Budgeting Vendor Management Information Technology Business Process Analysis SAFe and Agile Frameworks Contract Management & Negotiations Operations Management Leadership & Stakeholder Management Strategic Thinker Process Improvement IT Governance Resource Management Training Value-based delivery ERP
- ServiceNow Confluence Aha! Jira / Jira Align Salesforce Azure Dev Ops Smartsheet Slack Monday GSuite HubSpot Pipe Drive MS Teams MS Project SharePoint MS CRM Dynamics MS Office 365 CA Clarity PPM Version One Basecamp NIKU Workbench Remedy
Certification
- Accredited Agile Coach
- Accredited Scrum Product Owner
- Certified Scrum Master
- SAFe Agilist
- Certified Release Train Engineer
- Certified Agile Trainer
- Certified Software Test Manager
- Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt
- Certified Six Sigma Trainer
- Project Management Professional
- Professional Academy of Health Care Management Fellow
Timeline
Release Train Engineer / Program Lead Consultant
CAQH
07.2023 - Current
Release Train Engineer / Program Lead Consultant (Centene)
Yoh, A Day Zimmerman Company
08.2022 - 10.2023
Engagement Director / Solution Train Engineer Consultant
Launch IT Consulting
10.2021 - 08.2022
Sr. AVP – Implementations / Solution Train Engineer
EXL Solutions
06.2018 - 08.2021
Release Train Engineer/Agile Leader
SS&C/DST Health Solutions
06.2015 - 06.2018
Sr. Project Manager/Release Train Engineer Consultant
Lash Group Amerisourcebergen
06.2014 - 06.2015
Sr. Tech Project Manager /Scrum Master Consultant
Anthem Wellpoint
08.2013 - 06.2014
Enterprise Project Delivery Manager Consultant
Blue Cross Blue Shield of LA
02.2012 - 02.2013
Sr. Project Manager
Compuware Consulting - NASCO
02.2011 - 02.2012
Sr. Project Leader
Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC
03.2008 - 01.2011
Sr. Project Manager
Core BTS IT Consulting
01.2007 - 02.2008
Project Manager
SBC/ATT
03.1998 - 11.2006
Active Duty / Veteran
United States Marine Corps
02.1983 - 02.1998
MS - Org. Leadership
Southern New Hampshire University
BS - Management
St. Josephs College of Maine
MBA - Project Management
Southern New Hampshire University
AS - Management
Hawaii Pacific University