E-Learning & Publishing Management Professional
Washington D.C. Metro Area
- Current
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- Director of Program Management, Product Development at K12 Inc.
- Past
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- Director of Product Delivery, Product Development at K12 Inc.
- Associate Director of Product Delivery, Product Development at K12 Inc.
- Senior Project Manager, Product Development at K12 Inc.
- Art Director, Assistant Manager at Education Statistics Services Institute
- Consultant (Self-employed)
- Production Artist at Chesapeake Publishing
- Art Director at Senior Beacon Newspaper
- Production Artist at The Original Copy Shop
- Production Artist, Editor at University of Alaska Press
- Consultant at Epicenter Press
- Technical Editor at Technology Transfer, AK DOT
- City and Features Desk Intern, Freelance Photojournalist at Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Newspaper
- Managing Editor at Sun Star Newspaper
- Editorial Correspondent at Cosmopolitan Magazine
- Art Director, Production Artist, Writer, Editor at Alaska Space Ventures Magazine
- Freelance Photojournalist, Production Artist, Editor at Fairbanks Arts Magazine
- Freelance Photojournalist, Production Artist, Editor at Alaska Living Magazine
- Education
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- Project Management Institute
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Austin E. Lathrop High School
- Recommended
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4 people have recommended Jennifer - Connections
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90
connections
- Industry
- E-Learning
- Websites
Jennifer Thompson’s Summary
I am a veteran problem solver and courageous leader with more than 7 years’ experience managing the production and delivery of hundreds of industry leading, critically acclaimed, and award-winning multimedia education products. I also have more than 10 years of deadline-oriented management, design, photography, writing, and editing experience in the fields of journalism and print publishing.
Almost all of my experience has come from getting new endeavors off the ground or from revamping existing operations. I've been instrumental in helping a startup product development company, several new print departments, magazines, newspapers and more thrive and reach strategic goals in short order. Drop me into any situation and I will analyze, collaborate, and then orchestrate successful outcomes, earning the trust and respect of my colleagues, clients, and vendors along the way. I am passionate about teamwork and at my best leading creative professionals through difficult challenges.
Jennifer Thompson’s Specialties:
e-learning, virtual, education, project, product, program, management, leadership, budget, risk mitigation, scheduling, process, development, workflow, efficiency, communication, planning, mentoring, resourcing, CMS, LMS, growth, delivery, tools, tracking, deadlines, reporting, metrics, curriculum, business, multimedia, online, web, print, classroom, distance learning, homeschool, requirements, documentation, teamwork, writing, editing, photography, design, publishing, pre-press, publications
Jennifer Thompson’s Experience
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Director of Program Management, Product Development
K12 Inc.
(E-Learning industry)
March 2007 — Present (1 year 10 months)
+ Provides program direction for cornerstone business line, including all planning, scheduling, resourcing, and budgeting for curriculum development.
+ Oversees ~$18M in new product initiatives, as well as maintenance and enhancement of 11,000+ existing K – 8 lessons.
+ Instrumental in the evolution of processes, proprietary CMS and LMS systems, and best practices.
+ Instrumental in developing new business and forming fledgling PMO group.
+ Provides leadership and advocacy, including mentoring of project managers and other staff.
+ Promotes collaborative and solutions-oriented approach in all endeavors.
+ Reports to all levels regularly on progress and issues.
+ Direct reports include Project Managers, Senior Project Managers, and Program Managers. Reports to the Vice President of Program Management. -
Director of Product Delivery, Product Development
K12 Inc.
(Public Company; 501-1000 employees; LRN; E-Learning industry)
September 2006 — March 2007 (7 months)
+ Responsible for delivery of all K - 8 and high school products.
+ Oversaw project planning and budgeting for all new development efforts.
+ Formalized resourcing process and ensured that 200+ person department was fully utilized.
+ Provided leadership for entire department.
+ Briefed company’s President, CEO, CFO, Executive Management Group and senior managers on project and department progress and issues.
+ Coordinated the efforts of multiple groups in and outside of Product Development (e.g., Content, Design, Evaluation & Research, User Experience, Product Support & Technology, Logistics, and more).
+ Instrumental in the restructuring of the Product Development department for scalability to meet huge growth demands.
+ Oversaw all departmental processes, best practices, and documentation.
+ Direct reports were Project Managers, Senior Project Managers, Director of Publications, and Quality Control Specialists. Reported to the Senior Vice President of Product Development. -
Associate Director of Product Delivery, Product Development
K12 Inc.
(Public Company; 501-1000 employees; LRN; E-Learning industry)
March 2005 — September 2006 (1 year 7 months)
+ Created new production process for groundbreaking, high profile and press-worthy classroom product while managing a volatile client.
+ Assisted senior management with project planning and budgeting for all new development work.
+ Managed multiple vendor relationships worldwide.
+ Provided leadership for project managers.
+ Coordinated delivery efforts of multiple groups in and outside of Product Development.
+ Oversaw all related processes, best practices, and documentation.
+ Reported weekly to senior managers on performance, progress, and issues.
+ Managed several parallel multidisciplinary production teams, each with 20+ staff and contractors (e.g., teachers, writers, editors, designers, subject matter experts, media specialists, and more), through the creation of hundreds of multimedia lessons in the K – 8 market, all for just-in-time delivery.
+ Direct reports were Project Managers and Senior Project Managers. Reported to the Director of Product Delivery. -
Senior Project Manager, Product Development
K12 Inc.
(Public Company; 501-1000 employees; LRN; E-Learning industry)
October 2000 — March 2005 (4 years 6 months)
+ Developed processes to build quality multimedia education products at mind-boggling speeds for start-up company.
+ Created or improved all processes, tools, and best practices for large product development department.
+ Managed several parallel multidisciplinary production teams through the creation of thousands of multimedia lessons in the K – 8 market, all for just-in-time deliveries.
+ Consistently given the most challenging teams and projects — and led them to success!
+ Supported production efforts by assisting with hands-on tasks during crunch times, especially those related to design, editing, and print.
+ Instrumental in developing K12’s first Publications group and company’s best practices for print publishing.
+ Managed prepress production of printed materials and successfully delivered thousands of unique titles for a single and seemingly impossible first year deadline.
+ Direct reports were Project Managers. Reported to the Director of Product Development. -
Art Director, Assistant Manager
Education Statistics Services Institute
(Research industry)
October 1998 — October 2000 (2 years 1 month)
Helped develop new print department and best practices for service of sole client, the National Center for Education Statistics. Directed creation and procurement of digital media. Oversaw and engaged in the creation and preflighting of digital design and print projects. Assisted with development of new opportunities and management of staff.
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Consultant
Self-employed
(Self-Employed; Myself Only; Publishing industry)
January 1997 — January 2000 (3 years 1 month)
Created digital design and performed preflighting and paste-up for printed books, brochures, postcards, newsletters, catalogues and advertising. Gave guidance on and implemented redesign of publications. Procured media, managed deadlines, and created original artwork (e.g., logos, illustrations, book covers, etc.). Digitally-restored and edited photographs for professional clients.
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Production Artist
Chesapeake Publishing
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Newspapers industry)
June 1999 — October 1999 (5 months)
Completed prepress production and preflighting for several 4-color magazines and advertising collateral. Scanned media for press. Edited digital images and copy. Provided best practices for staff.
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Art Director
Senior Beacon Newspaper
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Newspapers industry)
October 1995 — October 1998 (3 years 1 month)
Established new in-house digital design and production department. Developed best practices and documentation. Managed deadlines for and engaged in all digital production and paste-up efforts. Scanned media for press, edited digital images, and procured media. Created original artwork. Edited and wrote copy. Revamped “look and feel” of this beloved 60-page monthly tabloid for senior citizens (color, circulation of 150,000+).
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Production Artist
The Original Copy Shop
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Printing industry)
February 1995 — August 1995 (7 months)
Created and managed delivery of a wide variety of print products and digital artwork for a myriad of clients.
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Production Artist, Editor
University of Alaska Press
(Educational Institution; 1-10 employees; Publishing industry)
October 1991 — November 1994 (3 years 2 months)
Applied to fulfill book orders as a student with eye on an editorial and design position. Quickly advanced as a manuscript editor and production artist. Created original artwork, procured media, and performed digital layout and design for books. Was offered a full-time, non-student position.
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Consultant
Epicenter Press
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Publishing industry)
January 1993 — January 1994 (1 year 1 month)
Performed investigative and historical research for authors, including the interviewing of local living legends and in-depth public record searches. Also conducted market research to help establish pricing and locate potential retail vendors for titles in development.
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Technical Editor
Technology Transfer, AK DOT
(Government Agency; 201-500 employees; Transportation/Trucking/Railroad industry)
January 1993 — December 1993 (1 year)
Photographed people and events, interviewed engineers and senior staff, wrote technical articles, and edited technical copy for monthly AK Department of Transportation newsletter.
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City and Features Desk Intern, Freelance Photojournalist
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Newspaper
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Newspapers industry)
January 1993 — December 1993 (1 year)
Developed and chased leads. Photographed people and events. Interviewed contacts, wrote articles (including coverage of sensitive cultural issues and controversial investigative pieces), and edited copy for established daily newspaper (color, circulation of 180,000+) — first as an intern and then as a paid correspondent.
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Managing Editor
Sun Star Newspaper
(Educational Institution; 1-10 employees; Newspapers industry)
September 1992 — June 1993 (10 months)
Developed and chased leads. Photographed people and events. Interviewed contacts, wrote articles (including coverage of sensitive cultural issues and investigative pieces which resulted in changes to university policy), and edited copy. Edited digital images, procured media, and performed digital design and manual paste-up. Assigned all stories and managed staff and deadlines for small weekly campus newspaper.
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Editorial Correspondent
Cosmopolitan Magazine
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Publishing industry)
December 1992 — May 1993 (6 months)
Wrote copy for yearly college life edition.
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Art Director, Production Artist, Writer, Editor
Alaska Space Ventures Magazine
(Educational Institution; 1-10 employees; Publishing industry)
September 1991 — December 1991 (4 months)
Procured media and directed photoshoots and creation of original artwork. Interviewed scientists, wrote articles about engineering and space for children, and edited copy. Edited digital images, performed digital design and manual paste-up, and checked technical facts for special edition of children's science magazine.
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Freelance Photojournalist, Production Artist, Editor
Fairbanks Arts Magazine
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Publishing industry)
September 1990 — December 1990 (4 months)
Photographed people and events. Interviewed local talent. Performed digital layout and manual paste-up. Wrote and edited articles for special edition of local monthly magazine (color, circulation of 10,000+).
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Freelance Photojournalist, Production Artist, Editor
Alaska Living Magazine
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Publishing industry)
January 1990 — May 1990 (5 months)
Photographed people and events. Interviewed local celebrities. Performed digital layout and manual paste-up. Wrote and edited articles for special edition of monthly magazine (color, circulation of 35,000+).
Jennifer Thompson’s Education
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Project Management Institute
PMBOK 2008 — 2009 (expected)
Currently working toward PMP certification.
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University of Alaska Fairbanks
BA, Print Journalism, Art, 1989 — 1993
Was awarded Society of Professional Journalists Scholarship. Graduated with a 4.0 GPA in major, 3.44 overall. Worked in field during college and was widely known throughout state and beyond for being a motivated, talented, and professional photojournalist — even as a student.
- Activities and Societies:
- managing editor (Sun Star newspaper), Dean's List
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Austin E. Lathrop High School
1986 — 1989
Advanced Placement English, Leadership Award
- Activities and Societies:
- managing editor (yearbook), honor roll, writer (newspaper), photographer (newspaper), basketball
Additional Information
Jennifer Thompson’s Websites:
Jennifer Thompson’s Interests:
Washington Capitals hockey, photography, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, gardening, cooking
Jennifer Thompson’s Groups:
Product Development and Management Association, Project Management Institute
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Washington D.C. Chapter of PDMA -
Members of the Project Management Institute Washington, DC Chapter (PMIWDC) -
Project Management Institute - Members Network -
PMI/PMBOK Self Study Group -
(E-)learning network -
Children's Publishing -
PMI - Project Management Professionals (PMP) Network -
eLearning Advocates -
Digital Hunter
Jennifer Thompson’s Honors:
What people have said ...
In the context of problem solving, referred to as “redoubtable” and a “rock star” — Bror Saxberg, Ph.D., M.D., Chief Learning Officer, K12 Inc.
“[K12 is the] most organized and deadline-oriented client we’ve ever worked with.” — 2007, William Newell, President, North South Studios, Los Angeles, California
“K12 would literally not be here today without the processes [Jen] put in place.” — 2006 Performance Review, Jeannine Reilly, Director of Product Development, K12 Inc.
“Jen was born to be a project manager!” — 2003 Performance Review, Janice Gruneberg, Director of Product Development, K12 Inc.
“[Jen] is a conscientious, responsible, and responsive team player, very pleasant to work with. She is also detail-oriented, thoughtful, creative, and productive.” — 2000, Letter of Recommendation, Qiwu Liu, Ph.D., Program Manager, Education Statistics Services Institute
Jennifer Thompson’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
