Each project Chris Allinger works on comes together a bit like a symphony.
One team provides the foundational bass line, another team adds the rhythm, and others chime in with melodies and harmonies — all coming together in one pleasing sound.
“It’s very fulfilling to work on a team that comes together to meet a deadline and get it done,” said Allinger, University Human Resources process improvement and project manager. “I love to be involved, and I love to take part in stuff like this. I consider it very special.”
Before working at the University of Georgia, Allinger earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences’ Hugh Hodgson School of Music. After graduating, he worked in Auxiliary Services as an assistant retail dining manager, helping run up to 13 eateries across campus at one point. During that time, Allinger also earned his MBA from Georgia Southern University and then took a new role as retail dining manager, supervising full-time staff and student workers.
After some time, he was ready to switch gears and accepted a position as a project lead for the OneUSG Connect implementation in 2017. As the lead for employee and manager self-service, he collaborated with campus units to gather requirements and communicate new business processes to end users. In his role as security lead, he contributed to the development of the OneUSG Connect security framework prior to its launch.
From there, he facilitated other related projects and processes to help them run more smoothly and efficiently, including the implementation of Smartsheet.
“Processes that once took weeks or even months can now be completed in a day,” he said. “It’s been a major improvement.”
Allinger attributes most of his managerial style to his time studying saxophone. It taught him to be self-motivated as well as learning important organization and time management skills.
“The teachers I had at the School of Music really helped build my work ethic just as much as playing notes and rhythms,” he said.
During his time with Auxiliary Services, Allinger gravitated toward process improvement. He constantly sought out ways to be more efficient, whether that meant streamlining processes or even implementing new technologies. He’s carried that forward to help make the process for retiree-rehires a little easier.
Allinger thrives on challenges and problem-solving, which works well in a role that might look different each day. His work might include policy updates, handling data requests from the University System of Georgia or even a series of project meetings.
Allinger’s day-to-day work centers on project and task management, keeping initiatives on schedule and ensuring processes run smoothly across multiple priorities.
He is actively involved in several strategic efforts, including assisting in the employee transitions for the new School of Medicine, contributing to talent management process improvements and providing support to Journeys, a project to modernize UGA’s approach to career development.
“Being part of efforts that are this significant, initiatives that impact so many people and will help shape UGA’s future, is incredibly meaningful,” he said.
Allinger enjoys getting to work with teams from across all of UGA’s schools, colleges and units. He’s always looking for ways to improve processes and welcomes conversations on how to make that happen.
“That’s my goal — to create a good experience for people and to help make their lives easier,” he said. “Being able to enhance people’s lives and make their work easier gives me the most fulfillment.”
Outside of work, Allinger still plays in a community band and frequently goes to concerts and movies. He also enjoys traveling with his family.
In life and at work, Allinger makes an effort to step out of his comfort zone and say yes to the new and unfamiliar.
“I’m humbled that people trust me to be able to do these things,” he said. “I really care about what I put out there. It means a lot to me to do what I get to do.”