Dynamic, people-focused professional with a comprehensive background in employee relations, benefits management, and people operations. Proven ability to oversee benefits programs, drive employee engagement, and ensure regulatory compliance across dispersed teams. Partners with senior leadership to align programs with company goals, fostering a positive workplace culture.Key Areas of Expertise:Benefits Leadership: Oversight of all employee benefits, including health, dental, vision, supplemental, life insurance, 401(k), and leave administration. Serve as 401(k) Plan Administrator, managing compliance, renewals, and open enrollment. Skilled in benefits negotiations and vendor management to optimize offerings and ensure federal, state, and ERISA compliance.Employee Relations & Operations: Trusted advisor on employee relations and conflict resolution, fostering an inclusive environment. Manages people operations across multiple offices, streamlining HR processes from onboarding to offboarding. Champions EEO/AAP and diversity initiatives, supports philanthropic programs, and ensures visa compliance for non-citizen employees.Strategic HR Initiatives: Leads HR strategy to align with organizational goals in engagement, talent management, and development. Developed and maintained a digital employee portal, ensuring efficient HR processes, from open enrollment to PTO requests. Up-to-date on HR trends and legal changes, regularly updating policies to stay compliant and competitive.This role synthesizes high-level expertise in employee relations, benefits management, and strategic HR, supporting a cohesive culture and sustainable engagement. A collaborative approach ensures that people-focused initiatives are in step with business goals, fostering a thriving workplace.

In my role as the People Operations Manager for both Capella Space and Capella Federal, I oversaw all facets of human resources management and strategy across both divisions.I took the lead within the People function, serving as a crucial influencer and supporter throughout various business phases. This involved close collaboration with the CHRO and the Director of People Programs & Operations to craft and execute organizational goals and strategies centered around People, Engagement, and Culture.Additionally, I served as a trusted advisor to both employees and management, addressing a myriad of employee relations issues and facilitating conflict resolution while nurturing a positive work environment.Managing the benefits and perks programs was a significant aspect of my role, ensuring they remained competitive and compliant with relevant regulations. Moreover, I actively participated in various People programs encompassing leave administration, performance management, talent development, and coaching.Spearheaded the company's transition from benefit brokerages and 401k providers, overseeing the process from initiation to implementation, ensuring a seamless transition and alignment with organizational objectives.I handled the onboarding and offboarding processes, including conducting Reduction in Force (RIF) procedures when necessary, to ensure smooth transitions for all employees.Managed a global workforce, which entailed staying abreast of local regulations and compensation practices to ensure compliance and competitiveness across different regions.I managed a dedicated team consisting of a People Operations Generalist and an Office & Culture Manager.Remaining up-to-date with HR trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies was essential. This allowed me to oversee internal HR systems and operations, ensuring alignment with industry best practices for both the Capella Space and Capella Federal divisions.

Reporting to CLO and CEO.Provided hands-on leadership and strategic advice in the development of human resource policies and procedures that recognize the evolving needs of a growing company. Developed the talent management strategy for the organization, focused on recruitment, retention, and recognition of talented staff including assessing compensation plans, employee engagement, and talent development. Ensured reporting on data and trends concerning turnover, vacancy and outcomes of exit interviews. Led integration efforts during acquisitions, aligning compensation and benefits programs to ensure consistency and compliance.Championed a company-wide culture of high-quality employee engagement through effective communications across a partially to fully remote work force.Created strong morale and spirit in the team; sharing wins and successes, while fostering open dialogue and innovation.Managed the benefits and compensation programs being instrumental in evolving them as the company grew.Implemented appropriate HR systems for all aspects of the employee experience.

Oversaw the comprehensive spectrum of Human Resources functions for a privately owned company, assuming responsibility for all facets of HR operations. Reporting directly to the CFO, I functioned as a strategic advisor, crafting HR strategies to enhance employee engagement, talent management, performance, and development company-wide.My role entailed managing HR strategy and operations with a focus on various areas, including employee relations, recruitment, compensation, benefits, training and development, and onboarding. I brought specialized expertise to these areas, ensuring alignment with the company's overarching goals and objectives.In addition to managing HR functions, I provided coaching and counseling to employees at all levels of the organization, fostering a supportive and growth-oriented work environment. I spearheaded planning and project management initiatives that directly contributed to the company's overall success, aligning HR practices with broader business objectives.

Led HR and payroll departments for two business units: recruiting, hiring, onboarding, employee relations, employment law, compliance, employee handbook development, policy and procedure development and review, FMLA management. Management and administration of all benefits, 401(k) plan, time off and leave programs. Managed high-volume payroll processing department.

Managed all aspects of Human Resources including employee relations, regulatory claims, hearings and litigation. Coached leadership team on performance management issues, influenced employee retention/engagement, engaged mediation services, and participated in employee terminations. Dual finance and HR role. Managed accounting functions: transactional, account balance/reconciliation, month-end close, AP/AR, budget preparation, and monthly financial summaries and reports.