
Jim O'Brien
General Manager/Owner/Founder

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About me
President/Founder of SeekUp Strategies | Former Director of Sales/Recruitment at BizAnalytica/Mastek | Sales Leader | Business Advisor | Head Hunter | Startups | Executive Search | Speaker | Cloud, Data & AI Enthusiast
Education

Northeastern Illinois University
2008 - 2010Bachelor’s Degree Communication, General
Western Illinois University
2006 - 2007
Experience

TJ OBriens Bar & Grill
Aug 2010 - Mar 2017General Manager/Owner/FounderIn the role of General Manager/Owner/Founder at TJ O'Briens Bar & Grill, leading a vibrant team to deliver exceptional customer service was a top priority. By focusing on creating an engaging atmosphere for patrons, customer satisfaction scores soared by 35%, which significantly contributed to a 20% increase in repeat customers. Crafting innovative marketing strategies was another key aspect of this role; these efforts notably propelled annual revenue from $1 million to $1.5 million within three years. Additionally, new staff training programs were implemented to enhance service delivery while reducing turnover rates by 25%. Building strong relationships with local businesses led to a remarkable 40% growth in catering sales. Managing a diverse team of about 30 individuals fostered collaboration and improved efficiency by 15%. The experience gained during this time laid the foundation for future entrepreneurial endeavors. Competencies: Customer Engagement Strategies, Operational Efficiency Improvement, Team Leadership Show less

RYB Inc.
Dec 2012 - Mar 2014FounderKey accomplishments include:* Founded RYB Inc., a mobile application development company, successfully guiding the organization from initial concept through to launch within a 16-month timeframe.* Managed a dedicated team of 6 developers, ensuring that all project milestones were achieved on schedule while maintaining high-quality standards in app development.* Implemented agile methodologies to streamline project workflows, resulting in a 30% increase in team efficiency and faster turnaround times for app updates.* Developed comprehensive project plans that aligned with client requirements, leading to a 95% satisfaction rate among early adopters of the mobile applications launched.Skills: Mobile Application Development, Project Management, Team Leadership Show less

Rose Paving LLC
Jan 2017 - May 2018Project ManagerAs a Project Manager at Rose Paving LLC in the Greater Chicago Area, I established project objectives, created project plans, and managed project budgets to ensure successful project completion. I collaborated with subcontractors, tracked client interactions, and maintained a safe working environment to uphold company standards.

Midway Staffing
Apr 2017 - Aug 2022VP of SalesIn the role of VP of Sales at Midway Staffing, the focus was on driving significant revenue growth through innovative sales strategies. Leading a dedicated team of professionals created an environment where collaboration thrived. The result? An impressive $50 million in annual revenue generation. By implementing strategic plans tailored to market needs, the sales cycle was reduced by 30%, allowing for quicker responses to client demands. Establishing clear KPIs transformed how the team approached their goals; productivity soared by 40%, showcasing the power of data-driven decision-making. This experience reinforced the importance of aligning team efforts with client satisfaction while exceeding growth targets consistently.Competencies: Strategic Planning, Team Management, Performance Metrics Analysis, Client Engagement Strategies Show less

Trova Advisory Group
Apr 2017 - Aug 2022PresidentKey accomplishments include:* Spearheaded the growth of Trova Advisory Group to achieve $20 million in annual revenue through strategic executive search and talent acquisition across multiple high-demand verticals.* Facilitated full life cycle recruiting for upper-level positions in sectors such as Cloud Data, AI/ML, FinTech, and Cyber Security, ensuring successful placements that aligned with client needs.* Developed comprehensive training programs for sales teams and recruiters that enhanced performance metrics by 30%, significantly improving candidate sourcing and client satisfaction rates.* Established strong partnerships with clients through consultative sales approaches that resulted in a 25% increase in repeat business within the first year of operation.* Implemented advanced reporting and analytics systems to track recruitment performance metrics, leading to data-driven decisions that optimized staffing strategies across various industries.Skills: Executive Search, Talent Acquisition, Sales Leadership, Cloud Data Solutions, AI/ML Recruitment Show less

MedOP Solutions
Apr 2017 - Aug 2022Account ExecutiveIn the role of Account Executive at MedOP Solutions, I thrived on crafting innovative sales strategies that directly contributed to substantial revenue growth. By focusing on building robust client relationships, I achieved a remarkable 30% increase in annual revenue over my tenure. Understanding market dynamics allowed me to identify new business opportunities that expanded our client base by an impressive 40%. Collaborating with various teams enhanced our communication processes and improved lead conversion rates by 15%, ensuring we were always aligned with our customers' needs. The experience reinforced my passion for driving results in the healthcare sector while maximizing customer satisfaction.Competencies: Sales Strategy Development, Client Relationship Management, Market Analysis Show less

BizAnalytica
Jul 2022 - Jan 2025Executive Director of Recruitment/Clients/DeliveryIn the role of Executive Director of Recruitment & Delivery at BizAnalytica, I had the incredible opportunity to lead a diverse team focused on driving talent acquisition strategies during a pivotal period of growth. One of my proudest achievements was spearheading the expansion of our workforce from just 15 to an impressive 120 employees within a single year as part of our M&A activities. This rapid growth was fueled by innovative recruitment strategies that effectively addressed our clients' needs across technical roles like Service Now and AWS.I also played a crucial role in generating $20 million in annual revenue through my leadership in pre-sales efforts and solutions consulting. Daily SCRUM meetings became instrumental for fostering collaboration among my onshore/offshore teams; this not only improved productivity but also enhanced our hiring processes significantly. Engaging as a public speaker at various industry events allowed me to establish thought leadership while boosting our brand’s visibility among potential clients who were eager for high-quality talent solutions.Skills: Talent Management | Revenue Growth Strategies | Team Collaboration | Technical Recruitment | Public Engagement Show less

SeekUp
Oct 2023 - nowPresident/FounderSeekUp Strategies is a startup advisory firm dedicated to guiding early-late stage companies through pivotal growth phases. We specialize in crafting tailored strategies for business development and a powerhouse in recruitment. Major Duties:* Recruiting for early to late stage startups. Fulfilling roles in Tech, Sales, Operations, Marketing, Finance, Executive and more. Verticals in IT, Cybersecurity, Financial Services, SaaS, Staffing, Application/Software Development, AI/ML, Cloud Data Analytics, Robotics, Life Sciences, Healthcare, Retail, Gaming, Manufacturing, Logistics, Entertainment and more.* Develop comprehensive GTM strategies for startups, driving market entry and scaling efforts across diverse industries.* Provide strategic advisory services to founders and executive teams, focusing on sustainable growth and operational efficiency.* Foster partnerships and alliances to unlock new business opportunities for clients.Key accomplishments include:* Spearheaded the expansion of a gig talent marketplace’s consultant network from 500 to 5,000 vetted professionals within one year, achieving an impressive 900% growth rate. * Developed comprehensive go-to-market strategies for startups across multiple industries, successfully driving market entry and scaling efforts that resulted in measurable business growth. * Implemented strategic advisory services to founders and executive teams focused on sustainable growth and operational efficiency while enhancing overall organizational performance. * Executed a large-scale fundraising event for pediatric cancer research that engaged the community and raised significant funds for ongoing research initiatives. * Facilitated workshops on optimizing sales processes which improved client acquisition rates by over 30%, significantly enhancing brand presence in competitive markets. Skills: Business Development, Talent Acquisition, Strategic Advisory Services, Go-To-Market Strategy, Sales Optimization. Show less

RISE Nutrition
Apr 2024 - nowSVP of B2B SaaS Sales, SeekUp Strategies AdvisorIn the role of SVP of B2B SaaS Sales at RISE Nutrition, I had the incredible opportunity to partner with the founding team to shape innovative strategies aimed at positioning our platform as a premier solution for athletes. My focus was on aligning our mission with measurable growth goals while leveraging my expertise in sales strategy and market research. One of the most rewarding aspects was designing a comprehensive sales strategy targeting professional women’s sports leagues. This initiative led to a remarkable 40% increase in brand visibility within just six months. Additionally, I forged strategic partnerships with dietitians and coaches that not only enhanced our service offerings but also resulted in a 30% rise in client referrals. Conducting detailed market research allowed us to refine our unique value proposition effectively. This refinement contributed significantly to a 25% increase in user engagement metrics. Tailored outreach campaigns expanded our client base by an impressive 50%, fostering strong relationships with team managers across various leagues. Tracking KPIs related to client acquisition proved vital; these efforts ultimately improved customer retention rates by 20%. The journey has been both challenging and fulfilling as we strive to optimize athletic performance through personalized nutrition.Competencies: B2B SaaS, Sales Leadership, Strategic Partnerships Development, Market Analysis, Client Retention Strategies Show less

DvSum
Aug 2024 - nowSenior Recruiting Consultant, SeekUp Strategies AdvisorAs a Senior Recruiting Consultant at DvSum, the focus has been on transforming the talent acquisition landscape to align with the company's mission of enabling organizations to leverage clean data. Collaborating closely with leadership has allowed for the definition of key hiring priorities and the development of comprehensive recruiting strategies tailored for both technical and non-technical roles. This partnership led to a remarkable 30% increase in candidate quality. Leading full-cycle recruitment processes has streamlined every aspect from sourcing to onboarding. By implementing best practices in recruitment workflows, time-to-hire was reduced by 25%, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. Providing strategic insights into workforce planning has also been pivotal; aligning recruitment efforts with growth objectives contributed to a 40% increase in team capacity within just six months.Additionally, enhancing employer branding initiatives has been crucial. Promoting DvSum's culture through targeted campaigns increased candidate engagement by 50%, solidifying its reputation as an employer of choice in the tech industry. Building a strong talent pipeline of skilled professionals ensures that DvSum is well-prepared for future scaling needs.Skills: Talent Acquisition | Full-Cycle Recruitment | Employer Branding | Workforce Planning | Candidate Experience Show less
Licenses & Certifications

Basset
Aug 2010
Food safety and service
Illinois Restaurant Association
Sales Certified - Software as a Service Solutions [2014]
Snowflake
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer
Issued by Keep On Keeping On Foundation
Associated with Jim O'BrienVolunteer
Issued by Misericordia Heart of Mercy
Associated with Jim O'BrienVolunteer
Issued by Boys and Girls Clubs of America on Jan 2016
Associated with Jim O'Brien
Languages
- enEnglish
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