Melissa Rector
Business Manager
Manchaca,TX
Summary
Results-driven Business Analyst with 12+ years of experience in financial operations, data analytics, and business systems optimization. Proven track record managing multi-million dollar budgets, implementing automation tools, and delivering dashboards and models that drive informed decision-making. Skilled in Power BI, SQL, and Python for reporting, forecasting, and workflow improvement. Certified in Google Project Management, Power BI, and Business Intelligence with a BBA in Computer Information Systems.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Business Manager, Division of Marketing & Communications
Texas State University
12.2024 - Current
- Led financial planning for a $4M+ divisional budget, introducing variance analysis models and automated reporting workflows that improved decision-making speed by 30%
- Built interactive Power BI dashboards for executive leadership, tracking campaign ROI, digital engagement, and financial KPIs across multiple departments
- Implemented AI-powered automation for contract workflows, reducing manual entry by 25% and strengthening audit compliance and team collaboration
- Cultivated a high-performance culture through data-driven coaching, process refinement, and cross-functional communication practices
Business Manager, Student Involvement & Engagement
Texas State University
05.2023 - 12.2024
- Oversaw a $3M+ departmental budget and developed advanced Excel forecasting models that enabled strategic scenario planning and improved budget accuracy
- Created cross-functional dashboards to monitor HR, procurement, and travel activity across 50+ accounts, increasing visibility and informing staffing optimization
- Produced actionable insights from operational data that reduced onboarding time, improved team productivity, and informed process improvement initiatives
Data & Operations Analyst, Curriculum Services
Texas State University
05.2019 - 05.2023
- Conducted routine data audits to ensure curriculum database accuracy and compliance, strengthening academic policy alignment and reporting reliability
- Designed SAP and Excel-based budget tracking tools that improved planning efficiency for 17+ annual events and reduced variance in expenditure forecasting
- Delivered reports and staffing models that enhanced process efficiency and supported curriculum planning across cross-functional academic initiatives
Operations & E-Commerce Analyst
U.S. Money Reserve & Texas Gold/Silver Exchange
08.2013 - 05.2019
- Automated order processing and inventory workflows, cutting fulfillment errors and improving throughput for 200–500 daily transactions
- Built SOPs, QA processes, and real-time dashboards that improved operational accuracy, supported compliance, and increased team output
- Provided executive insights through analysis of e-commerce trends and customer support data, leading to improved customer experience and business continuity planning
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - Computer Information Systems
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX 08.2021 - 05.2025
Skills
Core Competencies: AI Integration & Automation, Financial & Operational Forecasting, Budget Management, KPI Tracking & Reporting, Data Modeling, Workflow Optimization, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning, Cross-Functional Collaboration, CRM Governance, Capacity Planning, Change Management, Business Intelligence Reporting
Technical Tools: Power BI, SQL, Python, R/RStudio, Excel (PivotTables, VLOOKUP, Macros), Tableau, SAP, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Concur, PeopleAdmin, BambooHR, Workday, Mondaycom, Wrike, Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, ChatGPT, CoPilot, Perplexity, Scribe, DocuSign, PageProof, Agile/Scrum
Accomplishments
- Created interactive Power BI dashboards that cut reporting time by 40% and improved executive visibility into KPIs
- Spearheaded budget planning for $7M+ in university funds, enhancing forecasting accuracy and financial alignment
- Deployed AI-powered tools to automate procurement and HR workflows, reducing manual tasks by 25%
Certification
Google Professional Certificates
- Project Management
- Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst
- Foundations of Business Intelligence
Timeline
Business Manager, Division of Marketing & Communications
Texas State University
12.2024 - Current
Business Manager, Student Involvement & Engagement
Texas State University
05.2023 - 12.2024
Bachelor of Business Administration - Computer Information Systems
Texas State University
08.2021 - 05.2025
Data & Operations Analyst, Curriculum Services
Texas State University
05.2019 - 05.2023
Operations & E-Commerce Analyst
U.S. Money Reserve & Texas Gold/Silver Exchange
08.2013 - 05.2019
Awards & Scholarships
- Employee of the Month – Texas State University, Oct 2024
- Leadership Academy Graduate – Texas State University, 2024
- Employee of the Month – U.S. Money Reserve, Sep 2018
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