Melissa Martin Email and Phone Number

Led the Global Employee Relations Center of Excellence and Employment Compliance organization.

Group Victory is a strategy, marketing and organization development consulting firm dedicated to increasing revenue, building capacity, guiding growth and facilitating change toward measurable results.

Served as HR leader for corporate business units, including supporting senior leadership team. Oversaw all HR function for strategy and implemented organizational initiatives, employee relations, talent acquisition, and development. Implemented long-term initiative to refocus and impact company culture. Developed communications, including websites, video, collateral, and employee events. Partnered with employee engagement action committee to impact morale and engagement initiatives.

Managed back office of HR function for largest corporate division and coordinated staff of ten. Led division-wide HR project initiatives and implementations, including global PeopleSoft application to newly merged higher education affiliates in UK. Managed immigration and visa requirements with outside counsel. Oversaw initiatives, including applicant-tracking software Kenexa/BrassRing and SuccessFactors for employee development and succession planning, as well as imaging and adding technological solutions to various manual process workflows. Directed team in high volume recruiting and onboarding faculty for Kaplan University. Created and maintained HR websites for all staff and an internal site for distributed members of HR. Led corporate-wide initiatives for crisis intervention, health and safety emergencies, and natural disasters. HR lead for acquisitions, including assimilation into shared services model.Served as one of five Criterion Chairs on steering committee for comprehensive five-year re-accreditation site visit by Higher Learning Commission. Directed cross-functional team to collect research to present in Self-study. Evaluated university’s relationships with internal/external constituents and coordinated evidence with departments and corporate staff. Led large cross-functional and departmental team to build a proprietary software application for faculty management, including profiles, multiple levels of compensation, course scheduling and assignment.

Focused on management of employee relations for Kaplan University, including performance/risk management procedures, grievances, investigations, and resolutions. Oversaw generalists across multiple sites. Collaborated with inside and outside counsel on agency filings/lawsuits. Advised employees, managers, and HR staff.

Created and led newly created HR function for Kaplan College. Managed recruiting, employee relations and administrative functions, including payroll and employee communications. Oversaw all HR initiatives, including merging of benefit plans and organizational restructuring. Implemented new employee handbook to reflect company’s rapid expansion.

Liaised between departments and IT to implement workflow automation and build technology infrastructure. Defined business requirements of initiatives, developing operating procedures and creating training materials. Reconciled data among legacy financial systems, and implemented online recruiting, and open enrollment. Oversaw paperless expense reimbursements, employee surveys, and development of database for state filings. Managed company intranet site and compiled content for corporate communications. Resolved issues between departments by facilitating meetings and negotiating with impacted personnel.

Human Resources Consultant, 1998-1999. Served as contact between HR and employee groups. Oversaw employee relations, performance management, benefits administration, compensation issues, recruiting/retention, and training. Advised on policy, procedures, and issue resolution. Investigated and resolved complaints, including harassment, coworker conflicts, workers’ compensation, and disability issues. Acted as employee advocate. Conducted development training for management and staff. Led HRIS conversion to PeopleSoft and provided training to HR staff.

Developed and managed successful yacht charter/sailing school. Offered yacht owners investment opportunity by chartering yachts and advised potential boat owners on yacht ownership to yield highest return. Annually increased number of yachts under management. Coordinated services for refurbishing and outfitting vessels. Offered sailing plans and nine levels of curriculum certified through American Sailing Association. For several years, earned recognition from American Sailing School as School of the Year in the Southeast for quality instruction and outstanding captains.

Designed profit and loss centers for nine business units. Consolidated and audited results for the region, generating monthly operating statements. Implemented operations report, including performance-tracking data on sales, marketing activities, client tracking, consultant productivity, and office utilization. Managed operations for region. Introduced administrative processes and led staff of ten. Oversaw staff during large-scale consulting engagements with Fortune 500 client companies. Designed and established operating procedures for accounting, operations, HR, and communications.