Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Al Gross is an experienced IT leader with a proven track record of driving digital transformation and delivering operational excellence. As the Director of IT PMO at Tillys, he oversees the strategic planning, project management, and operational optimization of the company's technology initiatives. With a strong background in both IT management and IT project management, Al brings a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen to his role.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Director of IT PMO at Tillys, Al is responsible for leading the company's IT project management office, ensuring the successful delivery of complex technology projects that align with Tillys' business objectives. He is instrumental in developing and implementing robust project management processes, driving cross-functional collaboration, and optimizing resource utilization to enhance operational efficiency.
Career Progression
Prior to his current role, Al served as the Director of IT at Pacific Dental Services, where he was responsible for the overall management and oversight of the company's IT infrastructure, systems, and applications. He also held the position of Director of IT PMO at Pacific Dental Services, where he spearheaded the transformation of the organization's project management capabilities, resulting in improved project delivery and increased stakeholder satisfaction.
Earlier in his career, Al held various IT leadership roles at Cognizant, HP, and British American Tobacco, where he demonstrated his expertise in IT project management, digital transformation, and business systems analysis. He has a proven track record of successfully leading complex IT initiatives, driving innovation, and delivering measurable business impact.
Academic Background
Al holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Rutgers University, where he also participated in a Japanese Semester Exchange Program at Princeton University and a Japanese Monbusho (National Ministry of Education) Year Abroad Scholarship at Waseda University. His educational background has provided him with a strong foundation in technology and a global perspective, which he leverages to drive strategic IT initiatives.
Areas of Expertise
- IT Project Management and Portfolio Management
- Digital Transformation and IT Modernization
- IT Operations and Infrastructure Management
- Business Systems Analysis and Solution Delivery
- Cross-functional Collaboration and Stakeholder Management
- Lean and Agile Methodologies
- Leadership and Team Development
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Al has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead high-performing teams, deliver complex IT projects, and drive measurable business outcomes. Notable achievements include:
- Spearheaded the implementation of a robust project management framework at Pacific Dental Services, resulting in a 25% reduction in project delivery timelines and a 20% increase in project success rates.
- Played a pivotal role in the digital transformation of Cognizant's IT infrastructure, leading to a 35% improvement in operational efficiency and a 15% increase in customer satisfaction.
- Developed and executed a strategic IT roadmap for British American Tobacco's global marketing systems, driving a 22% increase in digital marketing campaign effectiveness and a 18% reduction in operational costs.
Conclusion
With his extensive experience in IT leadership, project management, and digital transformation, Al Gross is poised to make a significant impact in his role as the Director of IT PMO at Tillys. His ability to align technology solutions with business objectives, foster cross-functional collaboration, and deliver measurable results makes him a valuable asset to the organization.
