Jenni Rafalski
Virginia Beach,VA
Summary
Accomplished and highly organized event and implementation project manager with a strong background in marketing and sales. Experienced in managing various projects from conception to close. Strategic multi-tasker well versed in managing concurrent projects while balancing the creative and performance aspects of event management that drive innovation and revenue for the organization.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Implementation Project Manager
ADP
Norfolk, VA
07.2023 - Current
- Manage all project phases, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, control and closure
- Streamlined project execution through well-structured plans that encompassed defined deliverables and timeframes
- Managed daily operations and oversaw project activities and personnel in a diverse organizational structure.
- Ensured the successful fulfillment of milestones through responsible management of project vehicles and coordination of resources
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance project outcomes
- Ensured smooth communication flow among stakeholders and team members throughout the project
- Assessed, managed, and resolved risks and issues promptly.
- Adapted methodologies to suit unique project prerequisites
Event/Implementation Project Manager
dss+
Wilmington, DE
07.2007 - 06.2023
- Workshop Implementation Management: Collaborate with sales to track sales opportunities and create project scope, cost/budget and deliverables, as well as proposals and contracts, for all client ILT projects. Manage all resourcing and staffing requests including hiring facilitators for each project, ensuring project alignment and final fulfillment and time/expense approval and tracking. Handle all aspects of resource management, including onboarding/training, skills tracking, resource utilization, staffing visibility and needs forecasting. Create and execute all project timelines and milestones, which includes managing all workshop materials, ensuring contracts are properly executed and invoiced, working directly with clients and sales on project checklists, creating and evaluating surveys and ensuring profitability through budget tracking. Created the project checklists that are used by implementation team, including PM, sales and delivery resources. Manage and attend all project meetings, including internal pre-alignment meetings, external/client alignment meeting and workshop de-briefs.
- Event Project Management: Manage event schedule, site selection, contract negotiations, registration, travel arrangements and budget for 25 to 30 events per year – as the sole event manager for the company. Serve as event producer and technical advisor on all virtual events. Collect and monitor event feedback to measure client satisfaction and to ensure continuous improvement. Interface with the marketing department, product managers, sales team and subject matter experts to strategically develop new events, including development of agenda, presentation slides, materials and event positioning. Collaborate with marketing and sales to internally and externally promote events and manage the leads and post-event follow-up. Write debriefs and hold post-event meetings with stakeholders to make future participation recommendations, document areas for improvement, as well as successes. Decreased event costs by 16 percent within the first year. From 2011-2014, did all of the above event project manager duties (for 10-15 events per year) as well as serving as event marketing manager.
Marketing Manager
dss+
Wilmington , DE
07.2007 - 06.2023
- Led the development of effective marketing strategies by analyzing data on placements, messaging, and promotion types across both print and digital channels.
- Conducted research and designed an ROI analysis tool for tradeshow and events to enhance performance measurement. The tool was implemented by marketing and event managers across the organization.
- Created and executed successful media campaigns and strategic plans to drive the successful launch and promotion of more than 20 new products.
- Managed the creation and development of a diverse portfolio of collateral materials while enforcing adherence to graphic standards and brand objectives for consistent messaging.
National Marketing Manager
Freedom Stores, Inc
Norfolk, VA
04.2005 - 07.2007
- Managed a $2 million annual advertising budget for 10 retail locations nationwide.
- Executed various marketing campaigns utilizing multiple platforms such as radio, television, emails, flyers, newspapers, billboards, direct mail pieces, catalogs, yellow pages, truck skins and signage. Resulted in a significant annual sales increase of 25%.
- Managed the design and layout of the quarterly product catalog, achieving a 35 percent cost savings through restructuring.
- Maintained regular contact with sales management teams across various stores, organizing weekly conference calls to relay advertising schedules and confirm compliance with in-store marketing guidelines.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mass Communications
The University of North Carolina At Pembroke
PembrokeSkills
- Event Management
- Marketing Strategy & Communications
- Project Management
- Writing & Editing
- Budget Management
- Sales Enablement
- Business Development
- Leadership & Collaboration
Additional Work Experience
MILITARY NEWSPAPERS OF VIRGINIA
Norfolk, VA 2004-2005
Account Executive
DAILY PRESS
Williamsburg, VA 2003-2004
Advertising Account Executive
THE ROBESONIAN
Lumberton, NC 2000-2003
Advertising Representative Staff Writer
Timeline
Senior Implementation Project Manager
ADP
07.2023 - Current
Event/Implementation Project Manager
dss+
07.2007 - 06.2023
Marketing Manager
dss+
07.2007 - 06.2023
National Marketing Manager
Freedom Stores, Inc
04.2005 - 07.2007
Bachelor of Science - Mass Communications
The University of North Carolina At Pembroke