Michelle Alvarenga Email & Phone Number

Cayman Islands

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

• Responsible for department recruitment and onboarding.• Assist with employee and labor relations, compensation, employment issues and implementation of County HR initiatives within the Department.• Assist in providing oversight of all aspects of staff performance; performance evaluation, progressive discipline, mediation of staff disputes and grievance procedures in accordance with employment laws, policies and procedures.• Increase awareness and compliance, through the provision of consultation and guidance, of policies and procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and employment laws including FMLA, OEO, ADA and Worker's Compensation.• Facilitate labor and employee issues, discipline and grievance processes for three Port specific collective bargaining units.• Administer department level Worker’s Compensation and FMLA processes.

Cayman Islands

Temporary assignment while incumbent undertook a temporary assignment in another department.• Directly supervised 8 section managers while providing strategic oversight of the various administrative sections, inclusive of Call Center, Customer Service, Accounts Payables and Receivables, Human Resources and Training. • Achieved organization’s strategic goals such as improved staff development and retention; faster turnaround of processes undertaken by front line staff while improving accuracy. • Managed migration processes and made high level decisions affecting applicants’ employment and visitor authorizations, while contributing to the protection of the country’s border (approximately 50,000 residents with 22,000 of those being work permit holders).• Significantly improved internal and external communication gaps.• Reduced security risks for staff and the Department, particularly in areas where funds were received on a daily basis (revenue intake approximately US$100m annually).• Monitored fiscal year budget for compliance.• Contributed to legislation development and ensured compliance with the Immigration Law, Regulations, policies and practices.• Voting member on the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Board. Part of the decision-making process related to allowing companies to enter the country and conduct business in the SEZ.

Cayman Islands

• Responsible for recruiting and orienting over 170 staff. Reduced staff turnover by improving staff orientation and training, addressing morale issues, improving communication and employee relations while fostering staff buy-in.• Oversight of all aspects of staff performance; performance evaluation, progressive discipline, mediation of staff disputes and grievance procedures in accordance with employment laws, policies and procedures.• Increased awareness and compliance with employment laws, policies and best practices through developing and implementing several HR Policies, systems and practices as well as facilitating focus groups, surveys and other forms of collaboration.• Advised and supported management, supervisors and staff relative to organizational changes, workforce issues, disciplinary matters, compensation, and benefits.• Improved candidate selection through updated testing for recruitment and promotion purposes.• Compensation, payroll and employee contract management.• Contributed to budget preparation and compliance.

Cayman Islands

• Responsible for recruiting and orienting over 450 staff. Reduced temp agency usage and staff turnover by improving staff orientation and training, addressing morale issues, improving communication and employee relations while fostering staff buy-in.• Fostered greater HR input by securing a place for HR at Senior Managers meetings.• Oversight of all aspects of staff performance; performance evaluation, progressive discipline, mediation of staff disputes and grievance procedures in accordance with employment laws, policies and procedures.• Increased awareness and compliance with employment laws, policies and best practices through developing and implementing several HR Policies, systems and practices as well as facilitating focus groups, surveys and other forms of collaboration.• Advised and supported management, supervisors and staff relative to organizational changes, workforce issues, disciplinary matters, compensation, and benefits.• Improved candidate selection through updated testing for recruitment and promotion purposes.• Compensation, payroll and employee contract management.• Implemented automated leave processes utilizing an electronic leave application and tracking system.• Contributed to budget preparation and compliance.

Cayman Islands

• Led recruitment services for the Ministry and most of its agencies as well as provided advice, guidance and support to staff and managers.• Increased efficiencies by developing and implementing recruitment tools and templates.• Improved the efficiency and effectiveness of practices and procedures through research and analysis.• Improved policy and legal compliance through HR Audits of the agencies under the Ministry.• Promoted information dissemination though the development and maintenance of an HR intranet and external website for the Ministry.

Bachelor Of Business Administration - Bba, Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General, Magna Cum Laude

Certificate In Personnel Practice, Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General

Associate Of Arts (Aa), Business Administration And Management, General, Honors

Education record