Leah Armstrong
Aliquippa,PA
Summary
As a results-driven project manager, I bring a unique blend of expertise in project management and counseling skills. My robust experience in leading cross-functional teams, overseeing budgets, and ensuring the timely and within-scope delivery of projects, I thrive at building and maintaining strong client relationships, securing project success through proficient communication and adept problem-solving. Additionally, my deep understanding of human behavior and psychology, coupled with my experience in counseling individuals through personal and professional challenges, contributes to enhanced productivity and morale. This fusion of project management and counseling expertise is instrumental in driving positive outcomes within a dynamic, diverse, and inclusive environment.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Manager
DICK’S Sporting Goods
10.2021 - 09.2023
- Delivered 756 projects in 12 months across Footwear, Hunt, Fish, Outdoor, Grand Opening and House of Sport categories.
- Recognized for being instrumental in ensuring House of Sport project success.
- Managed production of projects relating to campaigns or promotions via multiple platforms (Direct Mail, social, display and community marketing) from approval to release.
- Utilized Workfront PM tool to optimize campaign performance across various categories. Contributed to process improvement by regularly providing recommendations for the platform stay relevant.
- Led internal and cross-functional status meetings to ensure successful end-to-end deployment of campaigns/projects.
- Organized, planned, and maintained project schedule consisting of cross-functional activities/projects.
- Negotiation skills and conflict resolution.
- Delivered presentations of project status to effectively communicate throughout the project life-cycle.
- Fosters diversity, inclusion and engagement through established trusting therapeutic alliances with cross-functional partners through empathetic listening, validation, and unconditional positive regard inclusion.
- Coordinated with data analysis team to review final recommendations and provided final approval once analyzed.
- Facilitated successful cross-functional collaborations for the completion of key projects, fostering strong working relationships among team members.
- Implemented risk mitigation strategies to protect the company from potential liabilities.
Customer Account Specialist
Thermo Fisher Scientific
09.2019 - 10.2021
- Managed an inbox ranging from 20-50 email inquiries and customer requests daily and delegated/distributed work across team as necessary while providing world-class customer service.
- Managed and fostered relationships with Third Party customers; mostly top 8 (Merck, Eli Lilly, Bayer, Sanofi, Pfizer, GSK, Boehringer-Ingleheim, Gilead).
- Worked with internal teams – Finance/Pricing, Franchise, Supplier Channel and Content to support all customer needs/requests.
- Created and managed all collateral and customer-facing presentations for external meetings and business reviews.
- Provided Third Party support for customer RFPs such as Supplier Tierings, Price Proposals, Product Sourcing.
- Acted on negative margin transactions in Mainframe and worked with internal partners to avert future issues.
- Facilitated necessary reporting metrics and data analytics as needed by customers.
In-Store Marketing Specialist/Sales
DICK’S Sporting Goods
12.2017 - 09.2019
- Managed annual in-store marketing budget ranging from $10,000-$100,000 for all Dick’s and Golf Galaxy stores.
- Built and maintained strong relationships with internal business partners: Visual, Merchants, Product Development and Store Operations.
- Led vendor and operational management of external business partnerships.
- Led monthly meetings with Buyers, Creative, Visual and Production departments to ensure marketing alignment.
- Analyzed and regulated monthly inventory of 500+.
- Ensured availability for business orders and replenishment requests.
- Managed all in-store projects for golf and racquet departments using WorkFront.
- Encouraged vendors to forgo their equipment fixtures and replace them with DICK’S fixtures.
Merchandising Administrator
09.2015 - 12.2017
- Managed all Fitness advertising, which included tabs, online content and monthly emails - entered products into Promo Planning, approved final Tabs in Workfront, maintained dept.
- Organized and managed advertising binder.
- Supported Fitness team by writing/modifying purchase orders, generating new styles and updating pricing.
- Served as liaison to vendors to confirm purchase orders were received and completed their life cycle.
- Built significant and strategic relationships with cross functional departments such as Marketing, Pricing, Product Development and Signage to strengthen communication and to broaden exposure outside of the merchandising division.
Executive Assistant to COO, DCOO, & CFO
The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School
05.2014 - 08.2015
- Managed scheduling, communication, and travel coordination; assisted in preparing for meetings and events.
- Handled confidential information which required discretion and diplomacy.
- Represented executives by welcoming visitors, arranging corporate functions, answering questions and meeting invitations for COO, DCOO, and CFO.
- Managed deliverables and reports for COO, DCOO, and CFO as requested.
- Successfully developed and maintained appropriate document filing systems and ensured compliance with record retention procedures.
- Prepared purchase requisitions/order forms for materials and office supplies ordered.
- Served as liaison for communication with staff, external contacts, and vendors.
College Access Advisor
Penn State University
04.2012 - 06.2013
- Arranged visits from college admissions advisors of postsecondary educational institutions for student recruitment in Title I high school.
- Organized all logistics for workshops on scholarships, financial aid, college grants and PHEAA information for students and parents.
- Assisted college-bound students in registering for SATS and completing FAFSA and financial aid forms.
- Met and counseled at-risk students regarding academic progress and arranged tutoring services, if appropriate.
- Arranged on-site and field trip visits to vocational and technical programs for non-college bound students.
- Administered career interest surveys and assessments to assist students with post-high school planning.
- Counseled students through the college search process and provided support in identifying strong matches to goals and needs.
- Coordinated multiple regional college visits and day trips for groups of 30+ students.
- Guided Freshman, Sophomore and Junior students through challenging academic curriculum and grade progression.
School Counselor Intern
Aliquippa Jr./Sr. High School
01.2012 - 04.2012
- Developed and facilitated weekly psycho-educational group of eight middle school girls on self-esteem, self-regulation, communication, and conflict resolution.
- Provided academic guidance and college planning support to students in current and future educational goals.
- Assisted students in completing SAT registration and college applications to ensure accuracy.
- Presented classroom lessons on college application process, SAT preparation, career interest, to all levels of high school students.
- Counseled students through social and personal conflicts and academic issues, including crisis situations.
- Built and maintained strong relationships.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Pennsylvania State University
Beaver County, PA07.2012
Skills
- Relationship Building
- Project Management
- Risk Management
- Project scope analysis
- Client/Peer Counseling
- Interpersonal Skills
- Needs Assessment
- Task Prioritization
- Strategic Planning
- Customer Relationship Management
- Academic Counseling
- Behavioral analysis
Affiliations
- Quip Nation 2020-present
- Habitat for Humanity 2019-present
Timeline
Project Manager
DICK’S Sporting Goods
10.2021 - 09.2023
Customer Account Specialist
Thermo Fisher Scientific
09.2019 - 10.2021
In-Store Marketing Specialist/Sales
DICK’S Sporting Goods
12.2017 - 09.2019
Merchandising Administrator
09.2015 - 12.2017
Executive Assistant to COO, DCOO, & CFO
The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School
05.2014 - 08.2015
College Access Advisor
Penn State University
04.2012 - 06.2013
School Counselor Intern
Aliquippa Jr./Sr. High School
01.2012 - 04.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Pennsylvania State University