Project Management & Team Performance Improvement
Challenge — Across Vox Media, Group Nine, and most recently LeafLink, I identified significant gaps in project management approaches that were leading to inefficient resource utilization, unclear expectations with leadership, and difficulty in planning and executing work effectively. Without structured project management, teams were struggling to handle service desk tickets promptly, cross-functional projects lacked coordination, and there was no systematic way to communicate changes that affected users.
Approach — I implemented a comprehensive project management transformation:
Introduced Agile methodologies including sprints, stand-ups, Kanban boards, and retrospectives at Group Nine
Established OKRs and created an Asana board for quarterly planning at Vox Media
Adapted approaches based on team size and structure (e.g., daily stand-ups for smaller teams, weekly roundups on Slack for larger ones)
Implemented a change management review process where any change affecting more than 5 users required documentation and leadership review at Vox Media
Built service desk forms & implemented SLAs at LeafLink
Created regular team recognition opportunities including weekly shout-outs for notable contributions
Built relationships and trust with team members while implementing these new processes
Results —
Increased service desk ticket on-time delivery rates from 77% to 92% at Group Nine
Achieved zero attrition on my team during my tenure at Vox Media
Attained a 93% department satisfaction rating in the employee engagement survey (the highest in the company) at Vox Media
Improved the team's ability to handle more project-based work while maintaining service levels
Enhanced communication around changes, reducing friction with users
Created a model that other departments adopted (e.g., Finance implemented my OKR framework)
Business Impact — I was able to transform organizational performance through strategic implementation of project management disciplines. My approach not only improved operational efficiency but also enhanced team engagement and satisfaction, proving that structure and process can actually increase rather than diminish team morale when implemented thoughtfully. The frameworks I established created sustainability, allowing the organization to handle more complex work with greater predictability.
