Tracy Parris
Cowpens,SC
Summary
Seeking a position where I can leverage my technical and non-technical leadership skills to contribute meaningful and collaborate effectively with my employer and teammates.
High energy, self-motivated, customer service driven professional with 20+ years of IT / PM experience. Proficient in working across different platforms and business units. 15+ years in Management / Leadership Experience. Top 5 Clifton Strengths: Woo, Communication, Positivity, Empathy and Arranger. Disc Profile: Strategic, Command, Coach, Catalyst, Deliverer
Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Strategy Realization Office (formerly ePMO)
Horace Mann
01.2024 - Current
- Spearhead and mentor a high performing team of 15+ project managers, scrum masters, and program managers, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence
- Coached cross functional teams on best practices, encompassing Emotional Intelligence (EQ), various Project Methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, etc.), and effective communication strategies
- Develop and implement change management strategies and roadmaps, ensuring alignment with the organization's strategic objectives
- Manage a robust project portfolio comprising approximately 85 active projects company-wide
Director, IT Leadership & SRO
American Credit Acceptance
12.2020 - 01.2024
- Acted as a strategic business partner to align the PM office with key organizational initiatives
- Directed all Project Management functions company-wide, leading a team of project managers and scrum masters
- Collaborated daily with IT and Business Units to monitor resource alignment and project status
- Partnered with Product Owner teams to maximize the value and out of innovation teams, ensuring alignment with their goals and roadmaps
- Collaborated with other IT leaders to run the department efficiently, achieve goals, and maximize decision-making
- Partnered with Compliance and Audit teams to ensure all processes align with legal and company standards
- Led the IT Service Desk, managing a team of 15 to deliver high-level support organization-wide
- Served as interim CISO for the Information Security team, providing leadership at personnel and project levels
Sr. Manager, SRO
American Credit Acceptance
07.2019 - 12.2020
- Led Project Management and Business Analyst staff, overseeing all aspects of their work
- Acted as Scrum Master for the Originations vertical across the company
- Supported leadership in transitioning from Waterfall to Agile / Scrum Methodology
- Served as an ambassador to multiple Community of Practice (COP) groups, focusing on Project and Agile practices
Sr. Program Manager
American Credit Acceptance
07.2015 - 07.2019
- Acted as a Project Manager and Scrum Master for incoming projects, focusing on legal / compliance (CFPB / NYDFS), risk and operational verticals
Network & Technical Support Manager
Michelin / TCI Tire Centers
09.2012 - 07.2015
- Led Network Services, Technical Support (Help Desk) and Telecom for the company
- Manage daily activities, included training, coaching, organizing, planning and staff operations, while providing input to senior management on customer service, infrastructure improvements, new technology and budget expenditures
- Oversaw a comprehensive networking environment, including MPLS, VMware (100% virtualized), Avamar Backup data grid, VNX storage, EMC, SQL, Unix and Mobile Iron for mobility
- Responsible for Disaster Recovery at off-site locations, ensuring redundancy and conducting quarterly testing
- Directed Technical Support and Telecom, handling all incoming calls and managing asset management for all devices (cellular, hardware, and software)
- Managed vendor relations, conducting monthly meetings to assess SLA and contract performance
Sr. IT Project Manager
Michelin / TCI Tire Centers
02.2011 - 09.2012
- Managed all assigned projects, ensuring adherence to SDLC, Project Way / Process, and Executive Sponsorship controls
Manager IT Project Management Office
Security Finance
01.2008 - 01.2011
Sr Project Manager
Advance America
09.2005 - 01.2008
Sr Programmer
Extended Stay America
12.2003 - 09.2005
Programmer Analyst
KEMET Electronics
04.2000 - 12.2003
Education
Degree - Focus on Development
Computer Technology
05.2000
Degree -
Business Administration / Management
05.1995
Skills
- Atlassian (JIRA, Confluence, Service Desk)
- Microsoft Office
- Various PPM software tools (including MS Project)
- SQL
- Visio
- SharePoint
- Strategic Planning
- Verbal and written communication
- People Management
- Operations Management
Certification
- Advance Certified Scrum Master (ACSM), 07/2020
- Certified Product Owner (CSPO), 03/2020
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM), 12/2015
- PMP & ACP Certification Courses, Change Management
Leadership Experience
High energy, self-motivated, customer service driven professional with 20+ years of IT / PM experience. Proficient in working across different platforms and business units. 15+ years in Management / Leadership Experience., Woo, Communication, Positivity, Empathy, Arranger, Strategic, Command, Coach, Catalyst, Deliverer
Timeline
Director, Strategy Realization Office (formerly ePMO)
Horace Mann
01.2024 - Current
Director, IT Leadership & SRO
American Credit Acceptance
12.2020 - 01.2024
Sr. Manager, SRO
American Credit Acceptance
07.2019 - 12.2020
Sr. Program Manager
American Credit Acceptance
07.2015 - 07.2019
Network & Technical Support Manager
Michelin / TCI Tire Centers
09.2012 - 07.2015
Sr. IT Project Manager
Michelin / TCI Tire Centers
02.2011 - 09.2012
Manager IT Project Management Office
Security Finance
01.2008 - 01.2011
Sr Project Manager
Advance America
09.2005 - 01.2008
Sr Programmer
Extended Stay America
12.2003 - 09.2005
Programmer Analyst
KEMET Electronics
04.2000 - 12.2003
Degree -
Business Administration / Management
Degree - Focus on Development
Computer Technology
Similar Profiles
Toni HoweToni Howe
Customer Service Representative at Horace Mann InsuranceCustomer Service Representative at Horace Mann Insurance
Devin GardellaDevin Gardella
Inside Sales Representative at Horace MannInside Sales Representative at Horace Mann
Terrance HicksTerrance Hicks
Recruiter / Talent Acquisition Specialist at Horace MannRecruiter / Talent Acquisition Specialist at Horace Mann
David RussellDavid Russell
Insurance Producer at Horace Mann InsuranceInsurance Producer at Horace Mann Insurance
Joshua LoweJoshua Lowe
IT Specialist and Customer Service at Savy BuildersIT Specialist and Customer Service at Savy Builders