MOLLY SCUDDER
PROJECT MANAGER
St. Louis Park,MN
Summary
Versatile Project Manager with 3 years of consistent history and proven ability to work with independent contributors to complete projects on-time and under-budget. Flexible, adaptable professional and big picture thinker adept at leading projects from concept through completion. Skilled at providing superior project management and customer service through excellent communication skills, relationship building, consulting, and problem solving.
Overview
4
4
years of post-secondary education
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Manager
Strategic Education, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN
02.2021 - Current
- Launched a formal communication program and gathered functional and business requirements to support team and mitigate risks.
- Lead project manager for multiple different business units within the function.
- Scheduled and supervised staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones.
- Delivered training for change management and materials, process and controls.
- Implemented and led meetings, opening up dialog with area managers to discuss their specific subjects.
- Met with project stakeholders on regular basis to assess progress and make adjustments.
- Interacted with customers and clients to identify business needs and requirements.
- Identified system needs and designed processes to support business requirements.
- Met and collaborated with senior leadership to uncover issues, identify applicable solutions and offer guidance in communication and overall department structure.
Project Manager
Strategic Education, Inc
10.2020 - 02.2021
- Lead project manager in the Alternative Learning division of Strategic Education, Inc., focused on non-degree products and services.
- Lead project manager for the Sur La Table Online Culinary Institute, a new business for SEI that was launched in under 8 months, which aimed to provide online culinary education that is affordable and attainable.
- Created and maintained project plans and tools, timelines, budgets, and quality and assurance for the newly created courses.
- Lead in vendor and relationship management, leadership updates and presentations and forecasts.
- Developed and initiated projects, including managing costs, schedule and performance.
- Arranged for and rolled out company projects and programs that supported SEI's Alternative Learning function.
- Oversaw projects for the industry of Higher Education through planning, designing, and scheduling.
- Developed executive presentations and reports to facilitate project evaluation and process improvement.
- Modified and directed project plans to meet organizational needs.
- Drove team success through shared vision and recognition of quality performance.
- Updated operational methods, oversaw accounting procedures, tracked information and compiled data to improve efficiency.
- Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives by setting realistic timelines and checkpoints.
Project Manager
Strategic Education, Inc
Minneapolis, MN
05.2019 - 10.2020
- Project managed Capella’s stage gate product development process in order to deliver and maintain a high-performing product portfolio supported by sustainable operational solutions.
- Partnered with leaders and teams across the enterprise to operationalize products and embrace, champion and manage change.
- Partnered closely with Directors and Vice Presidents, Capella’s Chief Academic Officer and key operational gatekeepers to align priorities and resources to support product development.
- Accountable for delivering medium and large-scale, often high-profile product development and strategic initiative projects.
- Managed multiple projects at once, owning project plans, timelines, multiple team members, follow ups and next steps.
- Developed and initiated projects, including managing costs, schedule and performance.
- Headed multiple project teams specializing in multiple different areas within the business.
- Arranged for and rolled out company projects and programs that supported company's degree development function.
- Modified and directed project plans to meet organizational needs.
- Developed executive presentations and reports to facilitate project evaluation and process improvement.
- Identified, reviewed and applied policies and procedures by exercising informed judgment to achieve optimal performance.
- Drove team success through shared vision and recognition of quality performance.
- Orchestrated projects within strict timeframes and budget constraints by solving complex problems and working closely with senior leaders.
Market Activation Manager
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
03.2018 - 05.2019
- Engaged Capella University’s Faculty and Alumni in creative, effective, and inspiring ways.
- Project managed all aspects of our alumni and faculty initiatives, which included thought leadership initiatives through social media channels, events for faculty and alumni and professional credibility projects.
- Planned, organized, and implemented events for our alumni and faculty (commencement, trade shows, and community engagement events).
- Created and implemented new ideas for alumni and faculty activation, including the Faculty Panel of Experts and content creation.
- Evaluated existing operations and current market trends to identify necessary improvements and capitalize on changes.
- Devised new promotional approaches to boost customer numbers and market penetration while enhancing engagement and driving growth.
- Set, enforced and optimized internal policies to maintain efficiency and responsiveness to demands.
Enrollment Counselor
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
05.2015 - 03.2018
- Consultative sales position that educated Capella’s prospective learners about their online degree programs, career outcomes, financing, and licensure matters.
- Helped to clarify key decision-points and solution alternatives for each individual.
- Utilized consultative relationship building skills, a mastery of highly complex educational program offerings, and strong achievement-orientation to promote Capella in a passionate yet transparent manner.
- Promoted to Sr.
- Enrollment Counselor, working exclusively with students from organizations that partnered with Capella University.
- Go-to-source for pertinent information and white glove treatment.
- Streamlined the tuition assistance process for individuals from partner companies that utilized employer tuition assistance for their education.
Account Executive
National Sales and Marketing, Independent Community Bankers of America
Minneapolis, MN
06.2014 - 05.2015
- Provided superior account management and prospected new business.
- Successfully sold marketing solutions to large organizations looking to penetrate the community bank marketplace.
- Focused on business development and consultative sales for financial service companies interested in reaching community bank decision makers.
- Created and executed marketing plans that better penetrated the niche market.
- Utilized cross-media platforms, sponsorships, webinars, trade show exposure, membership and out-of-the-box ancillary opportunities for clients.
- Ensured quality service for existing clients; maintained relationships and involvement in sales and marketing strategies to grow the business SOFTWARE + SYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE existing.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University Of Missouri - Columbia
Columbia, MO 01.2010 - 01.2014
Skills
LeadershipEffective Communication
Organization & Planning
Risk ManagementCustomer/Client CentricRelationship BuildingStrategy DevelopmentPersuasive / EthicalTeam ManagementStrategy DevelopmentPerformance Monitoring
Vendor management
Timeline
Program Manager
Strategic Education, Inc.
02.2021 - Current
Project Manager
Strategic Education, Inc
10.2020 - 02.2021
Project Manager
Strategic Education, Inc
05.2019 - 10.2020
Market Activation Manager
Capella University
03.2018 - 05.2019
Enrollment Counselor
Capella University
05.2015 - 03.2018
Account Executive
National Sales and Marketing, Independent Community Bankers of America
06.2014 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University Of Missouri - Columbia
01.2010 - 01.2014