Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Jalaja Narra

Evansville

Summary

Accomplished technology leader with 15+ years of experience delivering enterprise solutions across HR and Payroll domains. Adept at managing global implementations, data migrations, and M&A systems integration. Skilled in leading onsite-offshore teams, mentoring junior consultants, and overseeing technical delivery. Recognized for aligning technology strategy with HR operations to drive performance, compliance, and user experience.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Lead Consultant

CenterPoint Energy
03.2021 - 04.2025
  • Acted as technical lead overseeing end-to-end SAP Payroll and HR support for 7M+ customer utility business.
  • Led and mentored a blended team of onsite and offshore resources; conducted peer code reviews and knowledge-sharing sessions.
  • Designed and deployed PCRs and schema changes aligned with complex payroll rules and regulatory updates.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams (HR, Finance, IT) to integrate SAP Payroll with timekeeping and GL systems.
  • Managed SOX-compliant documentation, change controls, and system testing across dev, QA, and prod environments.
  • Reduced payroll support tickets by 30% by standardizing root cause analysis and peer code reviews.
  • Led offshore resources, contractor onboarding-offboarding and established QA review process to ensure consistent code quality.
  • Optimized team performance through effective communication, training, and leadership techniques.
  • Spearheaded the successful completion of complex projects through effective risk management and mitigation strategies.
  • Mentored junior consultants, improving their skills and knowledge through hands-on coaching and guidance.
  • Analyzed requirements, developed cost estimates, evaluated alternative solutions and supported information system acquisition and implementation.
  • Managed client expectations effectively by providing timely updates on project progress and addressing concerns promptly.
  • Enhanced project efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing innovative strategies.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of project milestones and deliverables.
  • Reduced overall project costs by identifying areas for improvement and implementing cost-saving measures.
  • Evaluated entry and exit criteria for applications, working with clients to capture enterprise technical requirements comprehensively.
  • Received customer orders, quoted pricing information, performed consultative selling to customers and recommended company products and services tracks.
  • Developed comprehensive project plans, outlining key tasks, timelines, resources, and budget requirements.
  • Championed quality assurance initiatives to ensure adherence to industry standards in service delivery.
  • Streamlined internal processes for better resource allocation and improved operational efficiency.
  • Implemented best practices in change management to facilitate smooth transition during organizational restructuring initiatives.
  • Assisted clients in fully integrating company solutions into current business environments, providing input on best practices and recommendations for maximizing utility of company solutions.
  • Led the development of customized solutions for clients based on their unique business needs and requirements.
  • Configured [Software] systems to meet unique business requirements of individual clients.
  • Performed gap analysis and provided plans based off of identified recommendations.
  • Led team providing [Type] project management support, managing tasking, schedules, deliverables and customer relations for high-visibility enterprise-wide projects.
  • Developed custom solutions based upon clients' strict requirements.
  • Developed program schedules and monitored milestones, managing production flow to guide production orders to correct and timely completion.
  • Conducted regular progress meetings to update stakeholders on project status, challenges, and solutions implemented.
  • Prioritized projects and project tasks depending upon key milestones and deadline dates.
  • Facilitated knowledge sharing among team members to build a collaborative work environment that fostered innovation and creativity.
  • Liaised with customers, management, and sales team to better understand customer needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
  • Provided reporting for forecast analysis and ad-hoc reporting in support of decision-making.

Sr Technical Lead | HR & Payroll Systems | Banner App

Vectren Corporation
11.2001 - 02.2021
  • Directed HR system integration during Vectren’s $6B merger with CenterPoint Energy.
  • Managed end-to-end data conversion from Oracle to SAP for 2,500+ employees, ensuring payroll continuity.
  • Supervised a team of four technical analysts, conducted regular code walkthroughs, and provided hands-on mentoring.
  • Coordinated task allocation across offshore developers, ensuring project milestones and SLAs were met.
  • Led internal implementation of Oracle Advanced Benefits, eliminating vendor dependency and reducing costs.
  • Oversaw technical operations for Oracle HR, Payroll, Recruiting, Compensation, Time, and Learning modules.
  • Acted as reviewer and approver for all ERP code deployments; enforced standardization and quality control.
  • Collaborated and implemented cybersecurity best practices, including firewall rule configurations and access controls to safeguard HR applications and sensitive employee data.
  • Coordinated the merger activities from Mainframe to Oracle
  • Led design, configuration, and support of Banner application for Customer Information Systems (CIS) - billing, metering, and work order management.
  • Spearheaded the integration of Banner with SCADA, GIS, and AMI platforms to ensure real-time data flow and operational efficiency across metering and outage management systems.
  • Developed and optimized SQL scripts, APIs, and ETL pipelines to automate utility billing, rate structures, and regulatory compliance reporting, reducing manual errors by 75%.
  • Collaborated cross-functionally with engineering, customer service, finance and regulatory teams to align technology solutions with energy usage analytics, smart grid data, and utility service delivery goals.
  • Oversaw patching, upgrades, EDI config and custom development in Banner to support utility-specific workflows (e.g., service turn-ons/offs, net metering).
  • Mentored junior technical staff, conducted code reviews, and ensured system reliability through robust testing and documentation practices.

Education

Master’s - Finance

Bachelor’s - Accounting

Skills

  • HRIS Architecture
  • System Integrations (SAP, Oracle, SuccessFactors)
  • SAP Payroll Configuration (Schemas, PCRs, Wage Types)
  • Data Migrations
  • M&A System Consolidation
  • Technical Leadership
  • Team Mentoring
  • Offshore Coordination
  • Integrations, Fit-gap analysis, Coding standards
  • Code Reviews
  • Solution Quality Assurance
  • Cybersecurity
  • Compliance, SOX Documentation, Risk Management
  • Agile & Waterfall Delivery
  • Reporting (OBIEE, BI/XML, PowerBI)
  • HR Platforms: SAP HCM/Payroll, SuccessFactors, Oracle EBS/HRMS
  • Languages/Tools: PL/SQL, Unix Shell Scripting, OBIEE, XML/BI Publisher, PowerBI
  • Integration & DevOps: APIs, SFTP, EDI/ANSI, Encryption, GIT
  • Methodologies: Agile (CSM Certified), Waterfall, AIM, Kaizen, CI/CD

Certification

  • Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
  • Certified Scrum Developer (CSD)
  • DDI Leadership Program
  • Kaizen

Accomplishments

  • Spearheaded Oracle → SAP conversion during M&A, managing team and delivering on aggressive timelines.
  • Established code review standards and an offshore collaboration model that improved delivery velocity by 25%.
  • Implemented Oracle Benefits in-house, saving $150K+ annually in vendor costs.
  • Designed test automation strategy and transitioned ERP team to GIT-based source control.

Affiliations

  • Technical Mentor & Team Lead: Led and coached team members across ERP projects; created onboarding plans and shared best practices.
  • Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair | Safety Team Captain | Wellness Program Ambassador
  • Board Member – twiSTEM, Volunteer Telugu Teacher – ManaBadi, Leadership Graduate – DILT

Timeline

Lead Consultant

CenterPoint Energy
03.2021 - 04.2025

Sr Technical Lead | HR & Payroll Systems | Banner App

Vectren Corporation
11.2001 - 02.2021

Bachelor’s - Accounting

Master’s - Finance

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