Molly McDermott

Background

About Molly McDermott

As a Senior Project Manager within our information technology division, I play a key role in supporting the successful completion of high-stakes projects across the university, primarily software development and integration. I excel at bridging technical and functional needs, and pinpointing the fundamental requirements for a project to be successful. I recognize that most projects change how individuals work in some way, and that people-dependent project outcomes are often overlooked. I draw on my background in change management to coach leaders, managers, and project teams so that projects have the needed support that leads to the successful adoption of a changed environment. I also lead internal evaluation and process improvement initiatives for our project management office to ensure consistency and quality across projects, and to learn from team members. SPECIALTIES: Evaluation and redesign of systems and processes, organizing complex information and objectives, goal management and tracking, working in multi-cultural situations, creative problem-solving, managing individuals and teams. PAST WORK: office management and administration, managing staff and student employees, working as a change management practitioner and consultant, event and project coordination, marketing and communications, and teaching ESL/EFL (elementary, middle school, and university level) including designing curriculum. I have also done freelance photography and professional photo editing. In previous roles at Illinois Institute of Technology, I managed the budget, events, and marketing and communications activities and staff for division under a vice provost; and was the interim director of the Student Employment Office during its formation. I worked in nonprofit administration from 2008-2010, and was a professional ESL Instructor in South Korea from 2010-2013-Prosci certified change management practitioner -TEFL certified (120 hours)-Mediation Skills Training from the Center of Conflict Resolution in Chicago (CCR)-For fun: potter and pottery instructor (10+ years)