Print Production Group Leader

Group Leader Performance Communications
Boston, MA;

Operations – Aug 08, '08

About MFS Investment Management:
In 1924 MFS Investment Management established the first mutual fund in the United States. Today, MFS offers a wide range of products and services to investors, including more than 70 mutual funds, fixed and variable annuities, separately managed accounts, and retirement plans to retail customers, institutional investors, and insurance offerings.  
 
At MFS we hire talented individuals and allow them to work in an environment that fosters teamwork. We strive to make MFS a company where our employees can grow and succeed. While MFS provides a supportive work environment, we maintain high standards of accountability to ensure that employees meet our standards of excellence. We value intelligence and hard work. We value the perspective you bring. We will reward you for your good ideas, your work ethic, and your experience. We believe that our unique culture directly benefits our business.

Job Description:


Using discretion and judgment, manages team of professionals to facilitate and project manage  performance literature projects for distribution through web and print. Lead enterprise-wide initiatives to promote automated publishing programs for appropriate communications vehicles that will ensure customer value and time-to-market.Manages Performance Communications group personnel: drafts and positions job descriptions, interviews, hires, coaches, oversees training programs, makes salary recommendations and conducts performance appraisals.Manages complex document and workflow automation project implementation. Leads team in applying automation rules to repetitive document production, database publishing, variable data document creation and other customized, automated workflow and processes. Manages quarterly and monthly performance literature production cycles, as well as ad-hoc off-cycle document production. Creates schedules and communicates assignments for regular production cycles as well as individual initiatives. Troubleshoots throughout production process and resolves major problems. Monitors actual vs. projected deliveries and prepares reports as appropriate. Adjusts schedule templates to address data load timing changes, new products, new funds, etc.Oversees database content management; designs and implements best-practices based management of automated processes, including new workflows and tools, and adjusts existing workflows to increase efficiency and time-to-market.Establishes and maintains superior quality standards while developing technology based workflow/process/cost-cutting efficiencies. In close collaboration with Automation team, implements use of new automation technologies and methods of information distribution.

Requirements:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and/or experience.Minimum 5-7 years' experience in a documentation design/database publishing/printing environment. Management experience required, including creation and development of working groups in a collaborative team environment.Extensive project management experience required, including creation and tracking of complex schedules.Thorough knowledge of PC and Macintosh based applications including but not limited to Quark Xpress, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Project. Database management experience and familiarity with data structures (e.g., XML) a plus. Ability to direct multiple workflows and projects efficiently.High level of technical competence.Strong communication skills.Exceptional attention to detail.

Additional Information:
-Actively encourages teamwork and builds close, collaborative relationships with managers and teams from other departments.  
-Plays a key role in assessment and implementation of ongoing technology initiatives, including job tracking, corporate document management, web publishing projects, electronic reviews and archiving, and specific electronic document distribution initiatives.