Hi, I’m
Jeff Poitras
Southbury,CT
Summary
Future-focused IT leader and change agent, able to coach individuals and teams across large, complex business areas to adopt Agile principles, values, and practices. Demonstrated courage to challenge and advise stakeholders, including senior leadership, enabling teams to realize objectives and deliver on KPIs, enhancing teams' maturity, and effectively integrating internal and external learnings necessary to reinforce growth. Able to seamlessly bridge the gap between business and technology strategies, combining quality and controls into project and service delivery processes to provide scalable solutions. Skilled in analyzing, designing, and implementing cutting-edge solutions to maximize value and align with company vision and operations. Hard-working business professional with exceptional experience leading teams, delivering results and exceeding expectations. Creative and motivated leader adept at utilizing exceptional design and planning strengths to accomplish complex projects. Skilled in teaching new concepts and best practice strategies.
Overview
18
years of professional experience
Work History
IBMSouthbury, CT
First Line Manager - Software Delivery
02.2021 - 05.2023
Job overview
- Led a team of professionals focused on optimizing financial management software development
- Ascertained pain points and gained an in-depth understanding of organizational strategy to create streamlined system solutions that align technical needs with corporate objectives
- Investigated information systems and led the design, specification, and selection of information system solutions, considering functionality, data, security, integration, infrastructure, and performance
- Interfaced with onshore and offshore teams to prioritize business tasks and ensure alignment with application architecture, software development, and deployment processes
- Engaged with key stakeholders and business partners, managing all Tax and Treasury software lifecycle development aspects for Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Licensing Financial Management System (LFMS) solutions
- Implemented and fostered an Agile environment for seamless delivery results each iteration
- Restructured an underperforming team by leading bi-weekly one-on-one sessions to identify weaknesses, sharpen individual strengths, and boost morale, increasing employee satisfaction by 20%
- Strengthened employee performance by developing and launching monthly 'Think, Rest & Refresh' seminars
- Closed/minimized risks to successfully pass internal and external audits, achieving ITSS Level 5 compliance.
- Increased team productivity by implementing efficient workflow processes and time management strategies.
- Developed strong relationships with clients through excellent communication and problem-solving skills, resulting in increased customer satisfaction.
- Coached and mentored staff, leading to higher employee retention rates and individual skill development.
- Managed project deadlines effectively, ensuring timely completion of tasks and overall project success.
- Optimized resource allocation for maximum efficiency and cost savings.
- Conducted performance evaluations, identifying areas for improvement and providing constructive feedback to team members.
- Introduced innovative solutions to streamline operations while reducing costs significantly over time.
- Motivated employees through regular recognition of achievements, fostering an atmosphere of accomplishment within the team.
IBMSouthbury, CT
First Line Manager - Application Delivery
04.2017 - 02.2021
Job overview
- Led the eSignature and Shared Professional team, leveraging technical sophistication and industry expertise to develop models of current and future applications that leveraged user-friendly, efficient, and practical design methodologies
- Managed all aspects of project development through to client delivery for Chief Information Office (CIO) projects
- Developed business cases for IT solutions, considering infrastructure, development, and support costs in conjunction with budget estimates / financial forecasts
- Delivered customized eSignature solutions, serving internal and external customers, to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on corporate contract/procurement processes
- Optimized product lifecycle management within a fast-paced Agile environment, working with key business partners from the IBM account and eSignature teams
- Increased productivity by proactively responding to emerging IT crises impacting primary business cycles while avoiding system downtime, application outages, and end-user impacts
- Launched human capital strategies to support a globally disbursed IT team, overseeing recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training, employee relations, and compensation management
- Built a diverse team with specialized skills, implementing cost-effective solutions that overcame the challenges of limited resources by decreasing the number of full-time positions.
IBMSouthbury, CT
First Line Manager – Application Delivery
06.2015 - 04.2017
Job overview
- Administered operational controls and served as a core leader of this globally disbursed IT team, comprised of 38 professionals, overseeing all aspects of general administration and people management
- Provided technical expertise in sales cycles and closed critical business deals
- Determined operational feasibility by evaluating analysis, problem definition, requirements, and solution development
- Prepared solutions by determining and designing system specifications, standards, and programming
- Optimized solutions delivery in an Agile environment by deploying AIX & WAS corporate server upgrades, improving Contracts OnLine performance
- Developed, interpreted, and enforced HR program management policies related to career development planning, compensation management, and personal business commitments
- Emboldened five different internal teams, including Sales Support, Shared Professionals, Fixpack & Compliance, Integration & Enhancements, and Lifecycle Maintenance & Operations, to achieve positive business outcomes.
IBMSouthbury, CT
Delivery/Business Area Manager
09.2005 - 06.2015
Job overview
- Successfully managed the Order to Cash (O2C) end-to-end (E2E) Lifecycle Maintenance application portfolio in support of the ISC Customer Fulfillment organization
- The application portfolio includes the Test System Environment, Single Backlog, AAS, ASAR, and EAGLE applications
- Successfully managed the Ongoing Support (OGS) and Maintenance Teams supporting over fifty legacy mainframe applications related to Order Management, Billing, Contracts, CDPRINT, PEW, and Inventory & Product Tracking applications for the Customer Fulfillment organization providing maintenance break-fix support, problem determination, and problem resolution for application owners and clients
- Responsible for managing client relationship, customer satisfaction, and application financials.
Education
University of New HavenWest Haven, CT
Bachelor of Science from Management Information Systems
University Overview
- 4.0 GPA
- Summa Cum Laude graduate
Skills
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Teams
- Slack
- Keynote
- Pages
- Numbers
- Jira
- Trello
- Kanban
- Agile / Scrum
- Software Development Lifecycle
- Workday
- WebEx
- Key Performance Indicators
- Performance Evaluations
- Verbal and Written Communications
- Team Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Decision-Making
- Problem Resolution
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
strengths
- Exceptional leadership skills
- Adept at leading with and without direct authority
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Building strong relationships
- Orienting team members, leaders, and stakeholders around shared objectives
- Extensive experience with Agile / Scrum Master practices and methodologies
- Project Management tools
- Software Development Life Cycle
- Significant experience mentoring and developing others
- Strong leadership skills
- Working confidently and effectively with multiple internal and cross-functional teams
- Highly organized and able to multi-task
Business Expertise
- Project Management
- Contract Management
- Change management
- Vendor Management
- Financial Management
- Performance Management
- Time Management
- Customer Relationship Management
- Human Resources Management
- Operations Management
- Workforce Management
- Application Maintenance and Development
- Production and Application Support
early career experience
- IBM Global Business Services, Delivery & Business Area Manager
- IBM Global Business Services, Professional Development Manager
- IBM Global Business Services, Project Manager
- IBM Global Business Services, Application Developer - Team Lead
Certifications
- Certified Technical Owner, IBM
Timeline
First Line Manager - Software Delivery
IBM
02.2021 - 05.2023
First Line Manager - Application Delivery
IBM
04.2017 - 02.2021
First Line Manager – Application Delivery
IBM
06.2015 - 04.2017
Delivery/Business Area Manager
IBM
09.2005 - 06.2015
University of New Haven
Bachelor of Science from Management Information Systems