Marsela Qafzezi
Worcester
Summary
Accomplished Project Manager with a proven track record at the Social Security Administration, demonstrating expertise in strategic project planning and cross-functional collaboration. Spearheaded major initiatives, achieving significant efficiency improvements and fostering a culture of innovation. Skilled in risk management and personnel oversight, consistently delivering projects that exceed strategic goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Manager
Social Security Administration
09.2004 - Current
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with the agency's goals.
- Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
- Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or efficiencies.
- Established and maintained effective communication among team members and other stakeholders for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion.
- Monitored progress against established goals, adjusting schedules and resources as needed to keep projects on track.
- Developed strong relationships with stakeholders through regular communication updates, fostering trust and confidence in the team''s ability to deliver results.
- Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
- Fostered a culture of innovation and creativity within the project team, leading to improved problem-solving capabilities and enhanced outcomes.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Achieved high levels of team engagement and morale by promoting collaborative and inclusive work environment.
- Ensured projects aligned with strategic objectives, working closely with senior management to refine project goals.
- Recruited and oversaw personnel to achieve performance and quality targets.
Project Manager
Social Security Administration - Program Integrity
11.2021 - 11.2022
- Led a team of twelve analysts responsible for program integrity and compliance initiatives.
- Advised senior executives on policy implementation, fraud prevention strategies, and legislative compliance
- Managed high-profile operational reviews, audits, and program integrity assessments.
- Drafted reports, policy recommendations, and strategic planning documents.
- Coordinated the National OSCAR Training Program and earned an OPSOS AC Honor Award
Project Manager
Social Security Administration
04.2014 - 04.2021
- Spearheaded high-profile regional initiatives, including Performance Quality Review (PQR) and agency-wide operational enhancements.
- Led regional security and automation projects, improving efficiency and compliance across components.
- Conducted executive-level briefings and prepared strategic reports for regional leadership.
- Managed integration of field office automation, digital transformation projects, and workforce restructuring efforts.
- Served as Deputy Director, overseeing workforce planning, recruitment, and financial management.
- Provided leadership for labor relations, employee benefits administration, and human capital strategies.
- Supervised staffing, classification, and succession planning efforts.
Team Leader Manager
Social Security Adminstration
04.2014 - 08.2018
- Lead and oversaw all operations and workloads under the purview of the Regional Security and Integrity Team.
- Coordinated team and cross component projects and workloads with region wide impact.
- Establishing team objectives and goals focusing on issues affecting the Agency, Regional Components or Field Offices in alignment with goals and deliverables set forth by the Deputy Commissioner for Operations (DCO).
- Served as the Onsite Security Control and Audit Review (OSCAR) Management Coordinator responsible to identify, target and schedule all onsite reviews for field office based on a high risk evaluation and in partnership with the Area Director’s office.
- Conduced executive briefings on programmatic and employee fraud cases.
- Prepared policies and developed strategies for implementing security policies and systems administration.
Social Insurance Specialist
Social Security Adminstration
09.2004 - 04.2014
- Improved claim processing efficiency by streamlining workflows and implementing best practices.
- Maintained meticulous records documenting client interactions, assessments, decisions made regarding eligibility determination.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction levels by providing personalized assistance and prompt responses to inquiries.
- Coordinated outreach efforts to community organizations, increasing public awareness of available social insurance programs and services.
- Assisted the public, attorneys, and third-party representatives with online services, ensuring compliance with filing procedures.
- Monitored trends in online applications, identifying errors and recommending process improvements to management.
- Researched and applied Social Security policies to ensure compliance and accurate claims adjudication.
- Addressed discrepancies in online applications to prevent misrepresentation and fraud.
- Managed NICU-related SSI claims, coordinating with UMASS Memorial Hospital to determine newborn eligibility.
- Conducted interviews, including for Albanian-speaking customers, to assess eligibility for Social Security programs.
- Adjudicated claims, resolved discrepancies, and determined eligibility for various benefits.
- Investigated and resolved post-entitlement actions, including suspensions, resumptions, and terminations.
- Led reconsideration conferences and issued final decisions with clear policy justifications.
- Provided technical guidance, answered inquiries, and ensured adherence to Social Security policies.
- Completed advanced coursework in social insurance programs and pursued additional training.
- Processed windfall-offset diaries and Medicare Part D applications.
- Assisted with Medicare enrollment for retired state employees.
Education
Master of Arts - Public Administration
Suffolk University
Boston, MA05-2008
Certificate - Paralegal Professional Program
Northeastern University
Boston, MA12-2003
Bachelor of Arts - US Politics
Clark University
Worcester, MA05-2002
Skills
- Project management
- Strategic Project Planning
- Project Development Management
- Project scheduling
- Networking Expertise
- Strategic planning
- Project tracking
- Personnel Oversight
- Workflow Optimization
- Advanced problem solving
- Risk management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Contract Oversight
- Productivity improvement
Languages
Albanian
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Project Manager
Social Security Administration - Program Integrity
11.2021 - 11.2022
Project Manager
Social Security Administration
04.2014 - 04.2021
Team Leader Manager
Social Security Adminstration
04.2014 - 08.2018
Project Manager
Social Security Administration
09.2004 - Current
Social Insurance Specialist
Social Security Adminstration
09.2004 - 04.2014
Master of Arts - Public Administration
Suffolk University
Certificate - Paralegal Professional Program
Northeastern University
Bachelor of Arts - US Politics
Clark University
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