HR Systems / Product Management

Sara S. Conroy
9304 Ledgestone Terrace
Austin, TX 78737

Home phone: (512) 402-1845
Cell Phone: (512) 565-5782
E-mail: saraconroy@austin.rr.com

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Over twenty years experience across a broad range of industries and functions, including Human Resources, Management, Software Development, Professional Services, Customer Education, Account Management, Product Marketing, Product Strategy, and Project Management. Ability to work well in team environments and look for creative approaches to delivering results. Experience working in large multi-national environments and meeting the challenges of cultural differences and diverse industries.

WORK HISTORY

Temple-Inland Inc. – Austin, TX 02/05 – 01/08
? Director, HR Systems, Corporate Human Resources
Led an organization providing HR systems and services to diverse lines of business across Temple-Inland. Provided strategic direction on utilizing technology to support Human Resources in the most effective and efficient manner. Provided support for all Human Resources systems including payroll. Worked closely with the IT organization and internal Project Management Office (PMO) to ensure Human Resources’ systems needs were met. Provided management to groups responsible for HR data management, payroll production in 37 states, regulatory and management reporting, business requirements analysis, system administration and project management. Provided direction in the evaluation of new project initiatives, development of business cases, and leadership as a sponsor to HR systems projects.

Dell Inc. – Austin, TX 04/02 – 01/05
? Senior Manager, Global HR Information Management (HRIM)
Responsible for managing a team of professionals to provide operational and development support for Dell’s Human Resource systems, including employee and manager self-service applications worldwide. Worked closely with the IT organization and provided guidance to regional HRIM teams globally. Supported ongoing development and deployment of new applications, including requirements reviews, quality assurance, and obtaining ongoing customer feedback. Developed processes to ensure excellent customer support. Key accomplishments included participation in the rollout of core HR systems to approximately 50 countries globally, and development and implementation of a global HR systems support model.

PeopleSoft, Inc. – Pleasanton, CA 7/00 – 7/01
? Product Strategy Manager
Responsible for competitive market research, setting product direction, developing high-level business requirements, guiding development resources, developing key marketing messages and marketing collateral, and coordinating across all areas of the organization to champion PeopleSoft HRMS products. Worked closely with the Sales organization and with existing customers to determine product gaps and opportunities and determined priorities for future product development. Promoted products via corporate customer visits, advisor calls, focus groups, conference presentations, analyst presentations, and development of sales tools. Established alliances with external partners and suppliers to fill product gaps where needed. Coordinated launch of new products/releases across organization, including Development, Marketing, Sales, Sales Support, Customer Services, Education Services and Consulting.

ProBusiness Services, Inc. – Pleasanton, CA 2/99 – 7/00
? Product Manager
Responsible for managing the product lifecycle for ProBusiness’ second generation HRMS product line. Working within the R&D organization, this position involved defining product strategy, working with developers in application planning and design, defining and prioritizing release content, communicating with stakeholders and executives regarding product development status, and working closely with Product Marketing and customers.

The Consulting Team / (a division of ARIS Corporation) – San Francisco, CA 5/98 – 12/98
? Practice Manager, PeopleSoft Business Unit
Responsible for managing the PeopleSoft implementation consulting practice for western U.S. This involved hiring and managing consultants and project managers, placement of staff to balance resource demands and available consultants’ skill sets, and ensuring client satisfaction. Also worked closely with sales staff in preparation of proposals, and participating throughout the sales process.

Levi Strauss & Co. – San Francisco, CA 11/94 – 5/98
? Manager, HRIS & Compensation
Responsible for managing all aspects of human resource systems for LS&Co. domestic operations, including successful implementation and deployment of PeopleSoft to over 500 HR users across the U.S.
Responsibilities also included design and administration of all compensation programs for domestic salaried and hourly employees at LS&Co. including incentive programs, salary program administration and consulting to managers.
? Manager, Global HRIS
Developed human resource systems strategy and evaluated best use of information technology to meet the needs of human resource organizations globally and provided consulting on HRIS issues to divisions worldwide.
? Strategic Consultant, Information Systems
Served as liaison between Information Systems and Human Resources organizations. Provided consultation and strategic planning for human resource systems to senior management within the HR organization.

PeopleSoft, Inc. – Walnut Creek, CA 4/92 - 11/94
? Account Manager, Account Management
Served as key contact at PeopleSoft for group of assigned accounts. Worked with customers in planning implementations and coordinated delivery of services needed to ensure successful projects.
? HR / Benefits Consultant, Professional Services
Provided consulting services to clients on PeopleSoft's HRMS product, including implementation planning and guidance, fit analysis and customization of base product to meet individual client's needs.
? Education Specialist, Education Services
Developed course curriculum and conducted formal training classes for PeopleSoft clients and consultants on use of HRMS applications, as well as design and delivery of customized on-site client training.

BHP Petroleum / Pacific Resources – Honolulu, HI 7/89 - 3/92
? Manager, Benefits / Systems Administration
Responsible for managing health and welfare benefits, retirement benefits, HR systems, and payroll operations.
Led an assessment of HR information needs, conducted a software evaluation and selected PeopleSoft HRMS. Managed the successful implementation of PeopleSoft HR, Benefits and Payroll.

Far West Federal Bank – Portland, OR 3/83 - 4/89
? Human Resources Assistant Manager
Managed a staff of 10 in administration of corporate programs in the areas of compensation, benefits, HR systems, employment, employee relations, and affirmative action.
? Compensation & Benefits Manager
Designed and implemented a flexible benefits program, including development of employee benefit communications. Developed and administered salary administration programs; designed job analysis and evaluation, performance appraisal and incentive systems. Developed and implemented 401(k) and ESOP programs.
? Employment Manager
Responsibility included managing all recruiting and placement activity. Administered corporate affirmative action programs and counseled managers on handling of EEO-related problems.

EDUCATION

George Fox University - Newberg, Oregon. B. A. degree in Human Resource Management.
University of Montana - Missoula. Associate degree in Liberal Arts.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

? Member of IHRIM (International Association for Human Resource Information Management) – served on Board of Directors for San Francisco Bay Area chapter for five years.
? Member of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) - served as board member for Pacific Northwest chapter.
? Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation through World at Work (formerly the American Compensation Association.)
? Professional member of the Human Capital Institute
? Participated as a speaker at several local and national human resource technology conferences.