Sara Rice

Experience

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  University of Minnesota

  May 2003 - Sept 2004

  - Developed three 12-page issues each semester for 2,100 French and Italian undergraduate students - Guided newsletter production, including timelines, content deadlines, editing rounds, printing, and distribution- Initiated and incorporated student involvement to include feature writing, topic development, and photography - Designed newsletter’s new layout using Adobe InDesign and Photoshop - Used Quark! Express, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat, Macromedia Dreamweaver, and MS Access on Macintosh and Windows platforms to generate marketing and administrative materials - Refined existing admissions materials, including viewbooks, recruitment posters, applications and instructions distributed to more than 2,000 prospective students, reaching more than 10,000- Maintained mailing-list databases for nine publications totaling more than 7,000 members

  • Editor, "Culture Shock" magazine French and Italian undergraduate program

    Sept 2003 - Sept 2004

  • Assistant to the Director of Public Relations, School of Music

    May 2003 - Aug 2003
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  Target

  Jun 2004 - Aug 2004

  Stores Training Intern

  - Created entire training package for the Sweeps process (a way of returning overstocked product to the DC), including three web-based training modules, hard-copy reference documents, and learning plans- Integrated creatively the needs of Store Support and Technology Services clients with input from other team members to produce engaging training materials that address the needs of store teams and align with Target’s mission

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  Padilla Speer Beardsley

  Sept 2004 - Dec 2004

  Media Relations Intern

  - Executed multiple projects concurrently, securing coverage, assigning interview times, and responding to questions. Clients included Cheerios, TCF Holidazzle, and Hope Chest for Breast Cancer, and four others- Assisted with new business development through media audits, professional award entries, and other projects as needed- Made follow-up calls and emails to print, television, radio, and online media outlets to increase coverage, assign interview times, and respond to media and client questions Show less

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  Exponent PR

  Jun 2005 - Sept 2005

  Public Relations Intern

  - Wrote and edited copy based on AP and company-specific style guides for multiple clients and industries, including Pillsbury and Siku Vodka (consumer food); Novartis Animal Health (pet); Idexx Laboratories (medical and sales-support); Minnesota State Lottery (government); and Buffets Inc. (restaurant) - Assisted with RFP responses and client proposals- Researched potential spokespeople, satellite media tour and co-op opportunities to increase media coverage - Generated targeted media lists and made follow-up calls, with estimated ROI exceeding client expectations Show less

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  Target

  Oct 2005 - Aug 2007

  Associate Training Specialist

  - Collaborated with cross-functional subject-matter expects to ensure clear and accurate content - Wrote content for division’s internal communications vehicles to inform key stakeholders of training program updates- Developed library of web-based training simulations, saving $400,000+/ year, $1.2 million to date- Managed a team of 12 “Fast, Fun, and Friendly” committee members to plan an all-team summer volunteer and picnic outing for 300+ employees- Developed and maintained assigned area content for Target’s online 3,000+-page Distribution knowledge management site Show less

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  Biogen Idec

  Nov 2007 - Dec 2008

  Instructional Design Consultant

  Hired to launch eLearning practice for the IT Training department, while supporting overall IT Training projects.- Composed and designed seven web-based training modules- Supervised two eLearning developers to ensure successful project completion- Managed team’s online training initiative, building the program from scratch including designing the overall strategy, definition workflows, timelines, and development, coordinating pilots- Created a two-week global IT help desk training program; developed and maintained outlines, scheduled sessions, prepared materials, and evaluated 42 courses to train 25 new agents, resulting in a 30% increase in caller satisfaction and a 50% reduction in agent turnover- Reviewed, uploaded, and input search engine keywords for all training and promotional materials (SEO) Show less

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  Self-employed

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2011

  Independent Learning Consultant

  Independent consultant for key clients including Target and Allen Interactions.- For Target, edited and updated virtual training materials supporting Target Technology Services (TTS)- For Allen Interactions, write scripts and completed quality assurance for sales enablement trainings in multiple languages, ensuring proper functionality

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  Jewfolk Media, Inc

  Aug 2009 - Jan 2011

  Noshin' Columnist

  • Write “Noshin’,” a weekly food column for young Jewish adults in the Twin Cities covering all things food-related• Highlighted by Heavy Table, TC Daily Planet, City Pages' Hot Dish, and JCarrot.org• Featured presenter at Minneapolis Farmer's Market Sunday Cooks• Stay apprised of the broader Jewish and food communities

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  Tiger Oak Publications

  Sept 2009 - Dec 2009

  Editorial Intern

  - Promoted businesses, organizations and events within the communities served - Wrote an average of 4,500 words per month, including high-profile assignments- Improved intern processes, including information architecture of common files and streamlining calendar building• Took photos for placement with stories, as assigned by managing editor and art directors• Conducted interviews and verify facts with sources• Updated website (metromag.com), including articles, galleries, and events using content management database Show less

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  Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2014

  ELearning Consultant and LMS administrator

  Approached learning problems with strategic insight and creativity, building new programs and identifying courseware that could be purchased and reused over multiple years. - Integrated off-the-shelf courseware, saving the organization more than $100,000 over multiple years- Led the Council's internship program of 80+ summer interns, partnering with recruiting and hiring managers, leading onboarding and training sessions, and connecting talent to networking opportunities- Implemented Taleo/Oracle LMS Show less

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  Allen Interactions

  Mar 2010 - Apr 2010

  Associate Producer and Writer

  - Wrote eLearning sales training content for Motorola cell phones, including scripts, comparison charts, and roleplays- Completed quality assurance reviews of all eLearning and print materials• Coordinated with clients, developers, and designers to ensure timely execution and delivery

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  The Schwan Food Company

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2016

  Direct leadership of a team of six remote instructional designers on a centralized Learning & Development team. - Met with business unit leadership to identify learning needs and prioritized to maximize the impact of learning solutions against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)- Allocated projects based on employee skills and developmental goals to optimize output and team engagement - Provided mentoring across the team to current and prior employees- Researched and implemented micro-learning strategy Show less Developed training programs and materials, identified project needs, conducted research, and collaborated with subject-matter-experts. Promoted in-position to Senior Instructional Designer.- Designed and oversaw development of Depot Leadership Essentials, a new manager onboarding and training program for Home Service Area Managers; learner feedback indicated satisfaction with the experience - Established Home Service Field Leadership Development Program (FLDP) for new college graduates; Six people completed the program within 2 years Show less

  • Manager of Instructional Design

    Jan 2015 - Jan 2016

  • Senior Instructional Designer

    Jan 2014 - Jan 2015
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  Schwan's Company

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2019

  Learning & Development Business Partner

  Supported talent development and performance management for five business units and provided direct management of a summer intern.-Created competencies to assess marketing talent and development opportunities which drive succession planning and talent moves as well as identified learning needs and trends-Led a team through the development of a new hire onboarding program-Delivered a sales training program supporting the entire Food Service BU

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  Schwan's Company

  Sept 2019 - Jan 2023

  Instructional Design Manager

  Guide business partners on learning strategy as well as design, develop, and implement learning solutions leveraging the appropriate technologies and deployment mechanisms. - Managed the cascade of new culture and leadership framework to 11,000 professional, field leader, and frontline employee audiences- Oversaw the conversion of instructor-led courses to virtual format via Teams to acclimate 1,000 employees to corporate philosophy as part of the acquisition transition - Crafted leadership competency behaviors and actions to support a new culture and leadership framework- Coached senior leaders to improve their storytelling abilities including brainstorming, structure, and delivering messages with vulnerability, bringing culture to life and increasing engagement from employees across the organization- Provided mentoring to summer intern Show less

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  Midday Pigeon Consulting

  Feb 2023 - now

  Chief Storytelling Officer