15803 Bear Creek Parkway, E502, Redmond, WA 98052
425-208-5130 | michael@heavenr.com | www.communicationsintegrator.com
Over 15 years of experience in strategic planning and execution of large web, print, and multimedia projects, including managing content development for external/ecommerce and internal websites; managing design, development, production, and implementation processes; and developing website and publishing structures to enhance user interfaces and user experiences. He is proficient with web tools for content and site development, including XML and content management systems and is able to publish large volumes of content on tight deadlines
Areas of expertise include: strategic planning and branding; managing projects, budgets, and cost control; managing client relationships; leading multifunctional teams; writing, editing, and developing content for web, electronic, multimedia, print publications, marketing collateral, newsletters, presentations, and video scripts for products, services, and training; directing photography and graphic design; designing and testing user interfaces; defining and enforcing written and visual styles; coordinating media and press relations; supervising staff and vendors; and managing dynamic calendars, schedules, and timelines. Proven ability to work in deadline driven environments.
Contracts Lead, Volt at Microsoft -Contract Excellence Team, Redmond, WA 11/2009 to present
Brought in to test integrity of legal contract data posted on the web.
· Tested formatting and content of legal contracts in 34 languages.
· Quickly learned and pioneered the use of SharePoint 2010 (beta); trained team on new features.
· Redeveloped and maintained the Contract Excellence portal which serves as a resource center for legal group, domestic and international sales teams, and contract librarians.
Marketing Manager, Corestaff at Microsoft HRWeb, Redmond, WA 3/2009 – 6/2009
Managed content and communications for employee benefits programs and performance review training, and supported employee benefits website and print collateral for HR communications group of international software company.
· Created new content and worked closely with subject-matter experts and content owners. Edited written and visual content for clarity, accuracy, detail, and brevity.
· Edited audio training scripts for enhanced acting performances and accessibility by podcast delivery.
· Developed and maintained site content inventory, updating, and tracking processes.
· Managed site/document planning, including wire-framing, mapping new and existing content to new structures, and adherence to corporate and business group style guides.
· Managed external vendors for content development, updating, and maintenance.
Web Content Editor/Producer, TechStaff/Pace Recruiting at MultiCare Health System, Tacoma, WA 9/2008-11/2008
Managed integration of content from two hospital employee websites into company-wide intranet for hospital staff, and medical and health care professionals.
· Edited, rewrote, and uploaded content, ensured site functionality and performance.
· Created structures and maintenance in content management system (CMS).
· Developed, maintained, and supported website changes and updates, workflows, and approval processes.
· Assisted human resources and employee communications departments to develop ongoing site strategies, and wrote instructional documents for staff.
Web Producer, Partner Communications, S&T at Microsoft SMS&P, Redmond, WA 8/2007 – 8/2008
Developed and facilitated website design, navigation, content flow, standardized content management, and maintenance of website for partner and channel marketing group of international software company.
· Edited and updated written and visual content for all business groups; supported development of sales tools, presentations, collateral, and all forms of communications.
· Deployed new intranet design, navigation, and content, and coordinated with technical staff for production, delivery of content, web statistics, and traffic analysis reports.
· Managed site properties, naming, content, security, and libraries for content, pages, documents, images/photos, page templates, and all content.
· Conducted business processes scope analysis and reporting, maintained consistent issue tracking systems, monitored usage and traffic, and developed site statistical reports.
· Trained program and communications managers to use SharePoint content management, page creation, and usage tracking and traffic measuring/reporting tools.
· Managed user acceptance and site production testing for usability, functionality, design quality, and accessibility of internal company-wide portal.
· Worked with stakeholders to develop testing for specific users that highlighted critical flaws in delivery and content; applied testing results to improving site before launch and during ongoing subsequent development.
Communications Specialist/Writer/Editor, The Hartman Group, Bellevue, WA 5/2007 – 7/2007
Wrote and edited communications programs for health/fitness research firm.
Web Producer, S&T at Microsoft PCOE, Redmond, WA 9/2006 – 4/2007
Managed design, development, and execution of programs for internal communications, intranet, and website for the worldwide supply management teams for international software company.
· Monitored and evaluated effectiveness of SharePoint processes for driving stakeholder needs into program development, outreach programs, communications strategies, and branding/positioning.
· Monitored web log files, developed web analytics, and created usage reports.
Product Marketing Program Lead, Volt at UIEvolution, Bellevue, WA 7/2005 – 7/2006
Planned and managed internal and external communications programs, including advertising, trade shows, audio-visual/presentations, and training for product launches for wireless/mobile software company.
· Wrote and edited external online and print content and internal training materials for international software tools developer; coordinated with technical staff for production.
· Supervised media relations, design, and production agencies and vendors.
· Monitored and evaluated program effectiveness; produced user statistics reports.
· Supervised branding, including all collateral, handout items, signage, printing/mailing services, and direct distribution.
· Coordinated trade shows, including logistics, materials, preparation, shipping, and travel arrangements.
Web/Print Marketing Communications Manager, Tally, Kent, WA 9/1999 – 5/2004
Managed design, development, and execution of international websites, extranets, intranet, and company and retail partner websites, in addition to audio-visual productions, advertising, external communications, and employee training; promoted products and services in technology, health care, and retail industries.
· Developed and implemented new website standards, style guides, design, navigation, content creation, change/update, workflows, approval processes, and security.
· Wrote, edited, and created internet, intranet, and external content, working closely with product managers, marketing, sales teams, and technical staff.
· Created, edited, and optimized digital assets, photos, images, and graphics to match content; developed and maintained image libraries for internal and external uses by employees, partners, and customer.
· Created and maintained page templates and template hierarchy. Developed websites, content inventories, and graphics templates for use by partners, engineering, customer service, quality assurance, human resources, and sales and marketing.
· Trained IT, engineering, and technical employees in production and delivery of web services, statistics, traffic analysis, reports, and online support for employees, customers, sales, and marketing.
· Planned usage and deployment of worldwide websites and intranets, outbound and inbound web servers, security, and firewalls, and conduct day-to-day technical administration and maintenance.
· Managed all websites and solutions hosted on IIS and Apache servers, including researching and implementing high-level security, high-level delivery and deployment, and content management processes and technologies.
· Increased website traffic by 700% (to more than one million pages per month) by working collaboratively with product managers, sales managers, IT, engineers, and service/support groups to improve content and technology.
· Boosted lead generation by 200% by strategic analysis of survey, traffic, and other measurements.
· Supervised design vendors and production of full-color printing, digital production, mailing, and fulfillment.
· Led cross-division international teams to identify intra-departmental content and branding needs, and improve processes and communications.
· Managed all site and project testing functions, including user acceptance testing for international website. Developed testing processes, applied testing standards, and collaborated with engineering group to ensure all testing goals were achieved.
· Developed dual delivery processes using IIS and Apache servers, including discovering an obscure Apache error-trapping code that enabled staging and production using common server side page code on dissimilar operating systems. Tested code extensively that made deployment smooth and uneventful.
Consumer Documentation Lead/Web Producer, S&T at Microsoft Exchange, Redmond, WA 6/1997 – 8/1999
Executed product and technical communications programs for international software company.
Marketing/Sales Communications Manager, Rena Ware, Redmond, WA 7/1980 – 11/1996
Managed international marketing communications programs, including planning, strategies, training, and branding/positioning initiatives that delivered consistent communication through sales channels for international consumer products company.
· Managed creation, design, development, and execution of customer communications, collateral, field newsletters, glossy sales magazines, audio-visual productions, presentations, and training materials.
· Advised corporate executives, department managers, and field sales managers on communications policy, strategy, implementation, and tactics.
· Supervised in-house staff, freelancers, agencies, vendors, and production companies, and led cross-division teams, including creative, IT, translations, and product development.
· Created and managed international media/press relations and advertising campaigns.
· Supervised design vendors and production of full-color printing, digital production, mailing, and fulfillment.
· Developed communications programs that delivered 20% increase in worldwide sales ($13 million) by identifying consumer needs and developing communications programs fitted to corporate objectives.
Master of Arts, Business/Organizational Management, University of Phoenix, Renton, WA
Bachelor of Arts, Communications/Journalism, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA
Accredited Business Communicator (ABC), professional development credential conferred by International Association of Business Communicators for demonstrating globally accepted standards of professional knowledge, proficiency, and communications ethics essential to organizational communication.
Content/Tools
Microsoft Office: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Access, Microsoft Project, Visio, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS)
Web/Internet
Microsoft SharePoint (MOSS), HTML/XHTML, CSS, Dreamweaver/HomeSite, JavaScript, Apache, CGI, ASP, XML, Broadvision/Oracle, Microsoft Visual SourceSafe, Internet Information Services (IIS)
Graphics
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Flash, Microsoft Publisher, Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Producer, Adobe Captivate, QuarkXPress, Freehand, PageMaker, CorelDraw
Platform/OS
PC & Macintosh; Windows Vista and XP, Windows Servers (2003 and NT 4.0), Mac OS, UNIX, Lotus Notes
Projects included work for: Seattle YMCA, Redmond Association of Spokenword, International Association of Business Communicators Seattle Chapter, Gold Wing Touring Association, Redmond Regional Library, Redmond Young Authors Competition, Redmond United Methodist Church, and Redmond Community Forum.
· Developed and counseled communications strategies and branding/positioning initiatives.
· Guided website and brochure/newsletter redesigns and overhauls, content and templates for collateral, promotions, book publishing, outreach, and training programs, and local media relations.
· Analyzed, determined, and managed client expectations, functional requirements and specifications, producing deliverables within extremely tight budgets.
· Presided and overhauled boards of directors, advisory groups, and member professional development.
· Managed communications, training, and video/audio programs/systems for tax-exempt organizations.