Cynthia Picciano Email & Phone Number

Columbus, Ohio Headquarters, But Serving Clients Nationwide

As an Executive Recruiter and HR Consultant with Ability Professional Network (APN), my passion is to provide the BEST coaching and match-making that I can between hiring entities and outstanding candidates! I do this by merging my professional experiences as a Human Resources Executive, Operations Director and Engineer. This unique combination enables me to fully understand the business needs of hiring companies and identify top-quality candidates, from the C-suite to individual contributors, who can deliver the desired results and become a tremendous asset to the organization. This breadth of experience also allows me to serve as a career strategist and offer discerning coaching advice to those who are seeking the next step on their professional journey.I am proud to be have been a part of APN’s former organization, the Scioto Ridge Job Networking Group, as both a participant, presenter and jobs provider, as well as a former board member of its sister organization, Professional Career Development Network. These have been outstanding non-profit organizations that have helped thousands of professionals in job transition. I am delighted to be affiliated once again with APN where I can help companies and professionals find the perfect match that brings long-term success to both!

Columbus, Ohio Area

Sourced, recruited, interviewed and presented top-quality candidates for position openings with client organizations. Utilized my extensive experience in recruitment and hiring for technical and non-technical organizations to ensure an outstanding fit for both the candidate and the hiring entity.

Columbus, Ohio

Oversaw all Human Resources activities and support services for the largest school district in the State of Ohio with 51,000 students and 10,000 employees. Responsibilities included all recruiting, staff deployment, union relations, contract negotiations, compensation and benefit program design, performance management, HRIS, legal and policy compliance, and employee communications.• Brought business experience into the academic-led workplace environment and upgraded the professionalism of the Human Resources Department. • Served on the Senior Leadership Team to develop the strategic vision, implement the annual operational plan and lead the organization to higher levels of performance.• In concert with the CEO/Superintendent’s vision, spearheaded creation of the “Human Capital Development Plan” to employ HR best practices in support of workplace cultural transformation via three strategic initiatives: Talent Management, Workforce Optimization and Leadership Development. • Oversaw all recruiting, hiring and staffing activities across all levels - from executives to individual contributors to substitute and part-time employees.• Functioned as the organization’s primary point of contact for two unions and two employee associations. • Drove the design, implementation and expanded functionality of a Human Resources Information System (HRIS) as part of the District’s implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application. This enabled disjointed HR data systems to leap from a DOS-based and highly manual environment to a fully integrated, 21st century SaaS (Software-as-a Service) technology platform.• Overhauled the employee benefits offerings for both Core and Voluntary benefit offerings. Launched an Employee Wellness and Communication Program to improve employee health and drive down claim costs.

* Served on the executive team as a direct report to the CEO. Drove the HR agenda across the global enterprise (2300 employees; 21 countries). Led global team of 50 HR professionals; $17M budget.* Filled sr. mgmt. positions via external and internal sourcing across all disciplines* Key contributor to M&A resulting in successful acquisition and integration of 4 companies. * Achieved $1M savings in benefits programs. Revamped compensation structure to improve market alignment & implemented new executive compensation plans * Championed HR Transformation to reorganize the HR function from a tactical/reactive service provider to a strategic/proactive business enabler* Instituted HR best practices to build high performing organizational capability (PCMM, Competency Models, Strategic Work Valuation, and High Performance/High Potential Talent Management* Spearheaded HR Technology Strategy to provide employee self-service and global data capture utilizing Peoplesoft HRMS

* Responsible for global human resource activities and U.S. payroll for this $100M Group. 11 direct reports. * Led collaboration with other Group HR departments to improve and standardize U.S.-based employee benefit programs and policies across all Groups of Sterling Commerce. Revamped outdated, legally problematic Employee Handbook. New Handbook became the model across the Company. * Oversaw cross-company Peoplesoft implementation team. Success of implementation regarded as role model of large technology implementation at Sterling Commerce compared to numerous other less successful technology implementations.* Participated on Consolidation and Change Management Team that coordinated the merging of the 4 autonomously run Groups into one centralized corporate structure.

Responsible for managing the Human Resources and Internal Services Departments. Served as primary liaison to the parent company on all administrative policies, procedures, and facilities support.* Revamped group medical plan to save $250k annually while improving overall benefits to employees.* Coordinated roll-out of new 401(k) and pension plan investment vehicles that significantly improved investment return performance available to employees. * Steered organization through two major restructurings involving a RIF and involuntary terminations of several senior managers. Championed improved severance packages and termination procedures which ultimately prevented negative legal consequences from the downsizings.

Responsible for managing corporate infrastructure including human resources, order fulfillment, inventory, international distribution, the MIS System, and company facilities. Reported to the CEO.

Responsible for all internal operations and daily administrative functions of the company. Directed this division which encompassed 65 employees, $2+ Million budget, and six departments: Marketing Support, Human Resources, Licensing/Compliance, Data Processing, Corporate Services, and New Business Processing.*Managed the intensive build-up of operations to successfully process 12 month sales explosion of 544% (from $135 Million to $870 Million).

Cincinnati, Ohio

Provided technical support for production of consumer products. Managed engineering teams, schedule and cost control for projects, equipment selection and purchase. Key participant on design teams for new and renovated manufacturing facilities, production lines and warehouses. Supervised 60 employees on six production lines.

Bs, Engineering

Awarded one of "Top Ten Outstanding Seniors" from The Ohio State University graduating class.

Mba, Finance, Marketing