Chris Hazle-Cary

Philadelphia, PA

Chris
Hazle-Cary

PMP®  ·  Technology & Operations Leader

Turning complex public sector technology programs into lasting operational capability — from vision through delivery and beyond.

Career Highlights Get in Touch
10 Years in technology
project management
$50M+ Government IT program
delivered on time & budget
PMP® Project Management
Professional, PMI

About

The work behind the work

Strategic IT Leadership PMO Development Continuous Improvement Vendor Management Org. Change Management QA & Testing Security Governance Stakeholder Engagement Team Development KPI & Dashboards

I’m a PMP-certified technology and operations leader based in Philadelphia, with nearly a decade of experience managing critical government IT systems at the intersection of public service, organizational change, and complex stakeholder environments.

“I don’t just deliver projects — I build the operational infrastructure that makes them last.”

My career has been defined by one long, consequential program: the modernization of Philadelphia’s integrated tax system. I joined at the planning stage, led implementation through two successful go-lives — including during the COVID-19 pandemic — and have spent the years since building the support, governance, and continuous improvement capability that turns a project into a durable institutional asset.

Along the way, I’ve built teams from scratch, developed business analysts from internal staff with no prior technical background, maintained peer relationships across jurisdictions through the annual FTA Technology Conference, and advocated for disciplined, best-practice system management that serves the public for the long term.

Outside of my professional work, I’m a Philadelphian through and through — interested in urbanism, cycling, writing, design, and the people and neighborhoods that make this city worth caring about.

Career Highlights

What I’ve accomplished

$50M+
Program Delivered On Time & On Budget
Led a multi-year modernization of Philadelphia’s 35-year-old tax system through two successful go-live phases — both on schedule and within budget, including during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
900+
User Accounts Under Security Governance
Oversee security administration and compliance for over 900 system user accounts across multiple environments, maintaining audit readiness with IRS and internal standards at all times.
4 ★
Average Taxpayer Rating on Philadelphia Tax Center
Led implementation of the City’s taxpayer-facing portal and drove continuous improvement initiatives that brought average user satisfaction ratings to 4 stars across web service requests.
10+
Staff Developed from Non-Technical Backgrounds
Built a high-performing operations team from the ground up, transitioning Revenue staff — auditors, customer service representatives — into skilled Business Analysts, System Trainers, and Security Administrators.
2
Successful Go-Lives During COVID-19
Navigated full project delivery during pandemic disruption, adapting in-person methodologies to fully remote operations while keeping both implementation phases on track.
DMAIC
Continuous Improvement Framework in Practice
Currently co-leading a formal Lean Six Sigma improvement initiative for the Annual Year Change process, including full process mapping, RACI matrix, and project timeline — the first structured PMO-style governance for this critical annual program.

Career

Experience & background

2023 – Present

Operations Manager — PRISM Tax System

City of Philadelphia, Department of Revenue

Lead strategic oversight of production support, business analysis, security administration, and continuous improvement for the City’s mission-critical PRISM integrated tax system. Manage the full enhancement lifecycle, oversee security governance for ~900 accounts, and serve as primary liaison between Revenue’s operational divisions, IT partners, and the GenTax vendor. Built and developed the PRISM support team from the ground up, transitioning internal Revenue staff into skilled Business Analysts.

Operations LeadershipTeam DevelopmentVendor ManagementSecurity GovernanceContinuous Improvement

2018 – 2023

Project Manager — PRISM Implementation

City of Philadelphia, Department of Revenue

Led delivery of a $50M+ modernization of the City’s 35-year-old tax system across two major go-live phases — both on time and on budget, including during COVID-19. Managed all PMI knowledge areas and led implementation of the Philadelphia Tax Center. Directed organizational change management across a highly unionized organization.

$50M+ ProgramPMP / PMI MethodologyChange ManagementGo-Live Leadership

2016 – 2018

Project Coordinator — PRISM Implementation

City of Philadelphia, Department of Revenue

Supported early-stage planning, procurement, and requirements definition for the PRISM modernization initiative during the pre-implementation and design phases.

RequirementsProcurementCoordination

2014 – 2016

Channel Operations Coordinator

Thomson Reuters, Philadelphia, PA

Operations and project management in a global agile environment, managing sales channels, eCommerce, product migration, and data warehouse projects for professional STEM customers.

AgileeCommerceData Analysis

2012 – 2014

Associate Program Manager, e-Strategy

Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia, PA

Program manager for 150+ mobile app and eBook projects at a global medical publishing company. Managed budget, schedule, and scope across multidisciplinary teams.

Program ManagementKPI ReportingPublishing

2009

B.A., English & Textual Studies

Syracuse University  ·  Renée Crown Honors Program  ·  Magna Cum Laude

Minor in Political Science.

Portfolio

Selected work

Government Technology · 2020–Present

Philadelphia Tax Center

Led the implementation of the City of Philadelphia’s taxpayer-facing self-service portal as subject matter expert lead — from design sessions through go-live and ongoing continuous improvement. The Tax Center now handles thousands of taxpayer interactions annually, averaging a 4-star user satisfaction rating across web service requests.

Visit Philadelphia Tax Center →

Operations · Ongoing

PRISM Business Analysis Team

Built a high-performing business analysis team from scratch, transitioning internal Revenue staff with no prior technical background into skilled BAs who serve as the front-line bridge between the Department’s operational divisions and the development team. Developed all team processes, documentation standards, training programs, and performance metrics.

Process Improvement · 2024

Annual Year Change Process Redesign

Co-leading a Lean Six Sigma (DMAIC) improvement initiative for the critical Annual Year Change process — the first time this program has been managed with formal project governance. Deliverables include a full visual process map, RACI matrix, project schedule, and structured kickoff framework.

Beginnings by Gene Cary

Self-Publishing · 2020

Beginnings by Gene Cary

Managed the full self-publishing process for my grandfather’s collection of short stories, poems, and anecdotes — cover design, layout, ISBN registration, and Amazon distribution in hardcover and Kindle. A labor of love and one of my proudest personal projects.

View on Amazon →

Personal

Life outside of work

Chris in Mexico City

A Philadelphian

I’ve lived in Philadelphia for nearly twenty years, and I’m genuinely in love with this city — its neighborhoods, its history, its stubborn character. I live in a row home in the city, which comes with the full Philadelphia experience: the neighbors, the block, the concrete backyard I’ve been gradually turning into something green.

I care about Philadelphia’s future not just as a professional but as a resident. I’m a member of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and a supporter of the Philadelphia Bike Alliance and 5th Square — organizations doing important work on safe streets, transit, and building the kind of city where people can actually get around without a car.

Outside of work and advocacy, you’ll find me riding my bike, reading, thinking about cities, and spending time with Rosie.

Out & about

Cycling through cherry blossoms Philadelphia Museum of Art
Mexico City
Mountain biking Spring ride in Philly

Mexico City • Cherry blossom ride in Philadelphia • Wissahickon trails

Meet Rosie

Border Collie. Frisbee enthusiast. Professional squirrel herder.

Rosie loves the outdoors, snow, any sport involving a ball or frisbee, and swimming. On a normal day she can be found staring intently at the local neighborhood chickens, herding squirrels back up their trees, and ensuring cats stay in their yards and alleyways where they apparently belong. She loves toys and milkbones. She does not love skateboards, or the beeping sound trucks make when they back up.

Rosie in the snow in Philadelphia Rosie on a Philadelphia street at sunset Rosie on the couch Rosie with her toys Rosie at home

Interests & involvement

🚲
Cycling & Urbanism
Member of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. Supporter of Philadelphia Bike Alliance and 5th Square. Interested in how cities move, grow, and care for their residents.
📚
Reading & Writing
A lifelong reader with a background in English literature. Interested in the craft of clear communication — whether that’s an executive memo, a process document, or something more personal.
🌱
Plants & Home
Gradually turning a concrete Philadelphia backyard into something worth spending time in. Interested in the slow, satisfying work of making a space feel like home.
🌎
Travel
Curious traveler with a preference for cities. Recent highlight: Mexico City. Always looking for places that change how you see the ones you already know.
💰
Personal Finance
Self-directed investor with about 15 years of experience managing my own portfolio. Interested in long-term thinking, compounding, and financial independence as a form of autonomy.
🏛
History
Particularly drawn to American political and economic history — how institutions form, how they fail, and what that tells us about the present moment.

Contact

Get in touch

Whether you’re exploring a collaboration, a professional opportunity, or just want to connect — I’d be glad to hear from you.

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