Natalie Cobbs
Blythewood,SC
Summary
Experienced and results-driven Application Development Manager with over 20 years of experience in information systems and project management. Proven expertise in directing technical teams in application maintenance, design, and implementation, while managing budgets and aligning IT strategies with organizational goals. Skilled in fostering client relationships, overseeing project lifecycles, and enhancing operational efficiencies through innovative solutions. Adept at mentoring staff, coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality applications. Committed to leveraging technology to drive business growth and improve client satisfaction within a fast-paced environment.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Application Development Manager, Information Systems
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
11.2000 - Current
- Direct technical and administrative staff in application maintenance, analysis, design, programming, and implementation
- Manage technical support and troubleshooting of application-related issues
- Support senior management in aligning IT business strategy with long-range planning
- Recruit, hire, coach, mentor, and evaluate staff, addressing disciplinary issues promptly
- Coordinate activities through direct and indirect staff, ensuring project milestones are met on time and within budget
- Oversee workload scheduling, resource planning, technical direction, and issue resolution
- Collaborate with customers to ensure software development aligns with IT strategy
- Interface with other IT departments and external personnel to synchronize activities and implement solutions
- Review and approve project estimates, participate in status meetings, and review project documents
- Develop and analyze solutions for improved IT procedures, information flow, and operational efficiency
- Responsible for establishing, maintaining, and monitoring the IT budget in alignment with corporate financial policies
- Maintain professional and technical knowledge of advances in information systems
- Lead the acquisition, negotiation, and renewal of technical vendor contracts, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and budgetary constraints
- Administer, extend, and negotiate contracts, ensuring comprehensive coverage of scope and usage for all technical assets
- Monitor vendor performance against established ROI metrics, initiating contract modifications to enhance value and service delivery
Sr. Client Advocate – Commercial Client Management
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
04.2012 - 11.2016
- Established, built, and maintained sustainable client relationships at strategic, tactical, and operational levels
- Ensured client communication, focus, and control of priorities by coordinating with client organizations
- Identified opportunities for innovation, cost reduction, and improved efficiencies
- Acted as a liaison between Information Systems (I/S) and leadership for assigned business units
- Ensured the design and integration of system, software, and hardware solutions to support business growth
- Tailored I/S solutions to customer strategies by understanding business needs from initial requirements to final implementation
- Fostered relationships between customers and the I/S organization, resolving disputes and negotiating within contractual boundaries
- Helped customers define business needs and prioritize work requests
- Monitored work requests to ensure timely delivery of products and services
- Reviewed service levels with customers to identify improvement opportunities
- Established and reported metrics measuring I/S performance and customer satisfaction
- Designed products and services with common components for multiple customers
- Communicated features from the I/S Product Catalog and proposed tailored solutions
Technical Team Lead – Information and Communication Technologies
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
11.2000 - 11.2016
- Coordinate a team of technical specialists through all assigned work requests
- Review and distribute approved work requests based on staff availability and skill
- Monitor progress and performance, troubleshooting any arising issues
- Meet with management teams to review active and planned work efforts
- Assemble qualified teams for project support, adjusting resources as needed
- Assign and schedule tasks based on availability and skill, coordinating efforts among teams
- Identify and escalate issues impacting projects, ensuring appropriate decision-making
- Conduct status meetings to review active projects and resolve problems
Project Leader II – Commercial Project Management Office
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
02.2008 - 04.2012
- Directed all activities in a Line of Business (LOB) Program Management Office (PMO)
- Planned, coordinated, monitored, and oversaw the implementation of multiple IT projects
- Provided guidance to personnel responsible for the organization’s project portfolio
- Maintained efficiency in planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk assessment
- Ensured corporate projects were completed on time and within budget
- Developed project plans, risk management plans, and project documentation
- Identified activities required to define business goals
- Executed communication plans for projects, facilitating effective communication among all parties
- Communicated with personnel and management on items impacting project scope, budget, risk, and resources
Business Systems Analyst – Information Systems
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
10.2006 - 02.2008
- Defined customer needs in technical and business contexts, ensuring solutions met customer objectives
- Provided guidance on planning and prioritization of business analysis activities for large projects
- Resolved daily business needs by researching problems and providing solutions
- Facilitated communication between business areas and customers to negotiate agreements
- Contributed to identifying business objectives, workflows, and design solutions
- Communicated customer needs to technical teams and proposed application solutions
- Maintained documentation for new processes and workflows
Business Analyst – Major Group Division
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
06.2003 - 10.2006
- Conducted complex business process analyses, needs assessments, and cost/benefit analyses
- Prepared functional, system, and program specifications
- Served as Customer Project Analyst on major projects within the Major Group Division of BCBSSC
- Coordinated with Information Systems and customers on the development, setup, and testing of new RULEs Database Tables
- Provided training, support, and access authority for RULEs Databases
- Managed and coordinated tasks within the RULEs department, ensuring task completion
- Conducted periodic quality control of RULEs to ensure proper code loading and functionality
- Created and maintained a database to track departmental activities
- Assisted with system testing and provided technical support as needed
System Support Specialist
Companion Technologies
05.2002 - 06.2003
- Supported newly registered physician customers with software installation, implementation, education, and usage for Internet-based electronic claims submission
- Managed all phases of customer implementation from initial registration to product training and usage
- Communicated customer information and requirements to programming staff and payer/supplier liaisons
- Trained new employees on customer implementation procedures
- Developed new procedures/manuals and provided training to peers, customers, and Marketing staff
- Maintained regular contact with major accounts to ensure satisfaction with products
- Assisted with software development and tested new product functionality
- Served as project leader for system changes as needed
- Conducted daily training meetings and kept peers updated on procedural and system changes
Claims Associate III
TRICARE
07.2000 - 05.2002
- Provided prompt, accurate, and courteous responses to complex customer inquiries
- Researched and resolved inquiries, reviewed, and adjudicated complex or specialty claims and non-medical appeals
- Processed an average of 200+ claims daily while responding to provider and beneficiary telephone inquiries
- Developed proficient PC skills and mastered ICD-9 and CPT-4 coding and medical terminology
- Designed and implemented flexible work schedules for call center representatives
- Monitored automatic call display to ensure statistical requirements were met
- Assisted management with day-to-day operational activities
Education
Project Management Certification Program -
Furman University
Greenville, SC11.2010
Master of Arts - Health Services Management
Webster University
Columbia, SC10.2003
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance
Francis Marion University
Florence, SC05.2000
Timeline
Sr. Client Advocate – Commercial Client Management
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
04.2012 - 11.2016
Project Leader II – Commercial Project Management Office
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
02.2008 - 04.2012
Business Systems Analyst – Information Systems
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
10.2006 - 02.2008
Business Analyst – Major Group Division
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
06.2003 - 10.2006
System Support Specialist
Companion Technologies
05.2002 - 06.2003
Application Development Manager, Information Systems
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
11.2000 - Current
Technical Team Lead – Information and Communication Technologies
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
11.2000 - 11.2016
Claims Associate III
TRICARE
07.2000 - 05.2002
Project Management Certification Program -
Furman University
Master of Arts - Health Services Management
Webster University
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance
Francis Marion University
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