Heather Richards Email & Phone Number

Billerica, Ma, Us

Massachusetts

Direct comprehensive human resources operations, including leadership development, employee and labor relations, talent acquisition and staff retention, compensation and benefits, HRIS, policy development, regulatory compliance, and other critical functions for 23 sites. Coordinate HR functions for large school districts, serving over 1,500 employees in Fitchburg and more than 3,500 employees in Newton. Spearhead organizational restructuring, performance management, and building teams through effective relationships. Oversee contract negotiations, labor relations, and grievances across 10 bargaining units. Administer $2M HR budget and $200M in staffing budget. Hired and supervised a team of 8 HR professionals.• Successfully saved the district more than $100M from 2010 to 2018, effectively reducing legal fees and expenses.• Displayed outstanding ability to handle numerous sensitive public investigations in a discrete and professional manner, sometimes involving media relations.• Posted an exemplary record mitigating and settling workers compensation, FMLA, ADA, harassment and discrimination cases saving millions in exposure.• Implemented a new district-wide electronic absence reporting system allowing for streamlining and improved data analysis.• Recognized for exceptional results, in 2018 selected by the Spanish Embassy and Dept. of Education to travel to Spain to recruit for 13 school districts in Massachusetts.

Concord, Nh

Oversaw organizational operations of professional fiduciary, healthcare, and legal services. Facilitated advancement in business development, organizing financial, operational, marketing, and HR functions, in addition to developing operational organizational and strategic business design. Executed strategic plans that drove deliverables in numerous diverse locations. • Increased institutional effectiveness, collaborating with the State of New Hampshire courts to conduct legal planning, compliance and risk assessments, and governance issues.• Created and nurtured strategic relationships with clients to provide 100% successful and legally-compliant solutions.• Effectively represented clients as a consultant, negotiator, and lead client guardian and conservator.

Manchester, Nh

Conceptualized and executed numerous corporate, real estate, tax, estate, and probate contracts and legal documentation. Advised leadership on critical HR issues, conducting all necessary internal training and coaching opportunities. Coordinated paralegal duties, capitalizing on advanced critical thinking skills to analyze needs and direction. • Successfully developed business plans, integrating strategic assessments and grant writing to achieve desired results.• Effectively orchestrated needs assessments and compensation planning to optimize operational budgets.

(Semiconductor, Aerospace, Chemicals Industry)

Facilitated HR management for multiple sites in the US, United Kingdom, and Asia within the chemical, semiconductor, optical, and defense industry. Aligned operational planning with global human capital and company strategic goals. Led change management integration throughout mergers and acquisitions. Achieved business goals, integrating long-term succession planning and position clarification. Collaborated with leadership to identify critical issues and develop innovative solutions. Initiated cross-functional team building and leadership development. Championed process improvement initiatives to maximize financial efficiency. • Posted a company savings of more than $10M through successful negotiation of terms and contracts with external vendors.• Ensured regulatory compliance with SOX, ethics, and legal standards, consistently minimizing risk exposure.• Streamlined organizational operations, designing and facilitating SAP and HRIS training programs.

Progressive promotions included New England, East Coast, National, and Global responsibilities:• Routinely provided HR advisement to Executives, Commercial Contacts, National Field Offices, and Global Research Center for Safety and Health.• Spearheaded field management of national markets, claims, sales, loss prevention, safety and medical managed care. • Effectively launched a Call Center, recruiting top talent and collaborating with senior leadership during the selection process.• Consulted with management on issues related to organizational structure, including office openings, closings, and restructuring efforts. • Served as sole HR leader for the world renowned Global Research Center for Safety & Health, successfully spinning off a Medical Device Company.

Multiple Locations (While In Undergraduate Studies)

Jd, Law

M.B.A., Business & Leadership Development

Activities and Societies: Honors - 3.9 Overall GPA while handling the East Coast territory during full-time employment.

B.A., Psychology, Business, & Criminology - Pre-Medical Focus

Activities and Societies: Security Team, Intramural Sports

Education record

Transferred to University of South Florida

Education record