Erika Watson Email & Phone Number

Remote

PM Director for Winsight program. Initiate, develop, drive, and implement best practices and processes for program management and client readiness.

Greater Chicago Area

Remote

• Took on a two year project to rehabilitate a program that began in the red and was successful in bringing it in under budget by year four of the program.• Repaired client relationship by learning and adapting to the preferred method/frequency of communication. Gained trust and confidence of a very demanding client.• Developed/maintained master schedules for each program in Microsoft Project to guide the successful delivery of all products/services per the specified deadlines.• Led/managed teams averaging 20 key players across functional groups.• Contributed to the writing, review, and preparation of 3 to 4 RFPs per year, including pricing practices.• Monitored/managed program expenditures to ensure program was on track within budget.• Responsible for writing project related materials such as Test Coordinator Manuals, marketing materials, directions for administration and score interpretive guides.• Mentored, motivated, and coached new contract management staff.

• Managed statewide testing program as a Senior Coordinator which was visible to senior management. Successfully ran this program for four years. Responsible for bringing the scoring in-house which resulted in a 15% profit increase for the company.• Led three to four weekly project status meetings with internal program team in addition to reporting to executive level management on the status, risks, and issues for each project.• Provided/planned key dates for program schedules and successfully managed each program without missing a test window or not being fully prepared to test.• Co-Developed program material lists and supported the manufacturing/production departments regarding material specifications for a range of 25 to 75 titles per project.• Led initiative to develop formal training for new department employees including cross-departmental exposure.

• Proven capability to manage several projects at the same time while maintaining an excellent sense of priority.• Communicated regularly with school districts about the testing program and resolved their issues within a 24-hour time period.• Monitored general project performance by keeping tracking of specific details and critical tasks.• Developed cost tracking worksheets for departmental use on all assessment programs.• Reviewed specifications for the distribution, collection, and processing of all test materials.• Integral part of company-wide training initiative for approximately 100 employees which included the creation of questionnaire, calendar of classes, and training scripts for six different topics.

• Received award for implementation of three cost solutions that saved the company a total of 210% and for the renovations of many departmental resources within the first 6 months of employment. • Prepared, assembled, and distributed presentation and review materials on a daily basis.• Planned, scheduled, and executed statewide mailings, exhibits, conferences, workshops, and special events. • Actively participated in the planning and coordination of the company’s annual sales conference for an estimated 300 participants.

Bachelors, Elem Education

Education record