Problem? Solved!
M. S. Kelley
BRM
Enterprise Communications
Contract Negotiation
Project Management
Vendor Relations
Publishing Technologies
Management Consulting
Strategy
Quick Intro
Name:
Michael S.Kelley
Email:
michael@themskelley.com
Phone:
617-943-1613
Availability:
Open to New Challenges
Location:
Boston Area
Nationality:
United States
Hi there! I’m Michael Kelley, a management professional with extensive experience in the publishing industry. I’ve managed large production teams, served as the “tech whisperer” to reconcile time, resource and capital constraints between IT and creative teams, resolved capacity and resource needs between corporate IT and divisional business units and served as a business relationship manager to the CIO/CTO, interacting directly with C-Suite personnel.
I’ve supported domestic and international needs assessment and technology deployment, negotiated contracts, supported mergers and acquisitions and migrations and implemented enterprise-scale software implementations. I have a passion for well-crafted, user-focused communications, and have created weekly, monthly and annual report pieces to support brand management. My inter-personal style has often been described as “therapeutic”, focusing on solving the challenge at hand with objective, goal-focused analysis rather than blame assessment.
In my personal life, I’m a strong believer in giving back to the community, and serve on a variety of local boards and charities as well as the Chair of my local school committee. During the pandemic, I took the opportunity to earn an MBA, to keep cabin fever at bay.
I’d love to talk to you to see how I could help meet your needs.
Big Picture
Snapshot
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
2013 to 2017
VP, Business Relationship Management & Governance
A frequent translator between corporate technical subject matter experts and divisional creative content creators, I’ve often been described as the “tech whisperer,” reconciling enterprise resources with divisional technology needs. My focus is on providing program and project resolution based on collaborative results rather than blame assessment. I’ve applied these skills to corporate acquisitions, annual divisional needs assessment, enterprise software evaluation and deployment and project-based crisis management, with heavy budgeting experience.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
2008 to 2013
VP, Technical Production Services
Directed a multidisciplinary department across four states that provided electronic workflow, production and archiving services to create multi-language educational products in both print and digital format. Implemented a stage-based composition system that enabled domestic and international service providers to rapidly create and modify existing product at reduced cost. Collaborated with senior Editorial, Design and Global Supply Chain executives to realize corporate cost and production goals.
Houghton Mifflin
2004 to 2008
VP, Director, Electronic Production
Directed a 100+ person team in the creation of industry-leading Reading, Math, Science , Pre-K and Social Studies educational materials. Implemented a development model that leveraged off-shore composition capacity to reduce cost and time-to-market. Instituted a product digital archive that supported rapid development of orginal and reprint materials.
What I bring to the table
Professional Strengths
A lifelong learner knows there is always room to grow.
Mastery of the skills needed to manage effectively — whether it be an enterprise migration, multi-team project or individual contributor — require a continuous reevaluation of assumptions, process, procedure and the toolset available.
That being the case, I leave room for growth and actively seek to provide it for those I manage.
Skillsets and Competencies
My professional experiences leading large team-based functional groups and serving as an individual contributor to the CIO have provided opportunities to develop a deep toolbox.
- Enterprise Portfolio Management
- Program/Project Management
- Enterprise Communication
- Conflict Resolution / Compliance
- Contract Negotiation
- RFP / Roadmap Development
- Publishing Technologies
- Merger / Acquisitions Support
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Strategic Transformation
- Collaborative Thought Leadership
- Business Planning and Development
Career Composition
My professional career has been a strong mix of independent contribution and team leadership, divisional and corporate performance.
Education
Northeastern University
BA, English Literature
BA
Exceptional communication skills begin with a solid grounding in composition. Graduated with high honors and departmental distinction.
Endicott College
MBA
MBA
The Covid lockdown provided a perfect opportunity to formalize acknowledgement of core skills. Program completed in one year with 4.0 GPA.
Giving Back
Rockport School Committee
2009-2015; 2019-present
Chair
Currently serving my fourth term as chair of the elected Rockport Public Schools School Committee.
Awesome Rockport
2023
Board Member
A local chapter of the international Awesome Foundation focused on acts of micro-philanthropy to improve local communities.
The Educational Foundation for Rockport
2022-present
Corporate Board
Focused on providing funding support in the fields of science, technology, arts and the humanities, the Foundation underwrites enrichment programs, field trips, scholarships and other financial support to supplement tight public school budgets.
Thought Pieces
Let's Meet!
Quick Takes
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Testimonials
"I have known Michael professionally for more than 15 years. My firm provided IT systems and support to Michael’s organization, and I worked directly with him and his staff. Michael is someone that always stood out. He is incredibly bright and talented, a tremendous communicator, and an exceptional leader. He has the unique ability to intricately understand his business and industry, with the visionary ability to leverage new technologies to move it forward. Not only is both creative and analytical, he is also just an incredibly warm and caring person."
Richard S. Waidmann
President & CEO, Connectria
"Michael brings a proven track-record of success in large, complex business operations. He has built a reputation as someone who know how to build effective personal relationships and can deliver needed results. He combines a focus on product development and delivery with a genuine dedication to creating and sustaining effective teams."
James T. Diamond
SVP, Finance, Strategic Realization, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Few would argue that, despite the advancements of feminism over the past three