• Collaborates with senior leadership to understand the organization's goals and strategy related to staffing, recruiting, and retention.• Plans, leads, develops, coordinates, and implements policies, processes, training, initiatives, and surveys to support the organization's human resource compliance and strategy needs.• Administers or oversees the administration of human resource programs including, but not limited to, compensation, benefits, and leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; productivity, recognition, and morale; occupational health and safety; and training and development.• Identifies staffing and recruiting needs; develops and executes best practices for hiring and talent management.• Conducts research and analysis of organizational trends including review of reports and metrics from the organization's human resource information system (HRIS) or talent management system.• Monitors and ensures the organization's compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices; reviews and modifies policies and practices to maintain compliance.• Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law; applies this knowledge to communicate changes in policy, practice, and resources to upper management.

Recruited to develop, implement, and administrate human resources services, policies, and benefit programs. • Ensure delivery of quality and timely Human Resources policies, programs, processes, systems, and services to the leadership team and 600+ full-time and part-time associates at home office, and retail store locations across 11 states.• Participated in executive team meetings with CEO, CFO, Directors of Sales, Small Business, Operations, and H.R./Admin.• Led and directed a Payroll Specialist, and Training/HR Coordinator to provide exceptional service to constituents.• Enhanced organizational effectiveness during a rapid growth period, expanding from 60 stores with 450 employees to 120 stores with 600+ employees over one year, managing all H.R., and benefits programs. • Served as key contact for software implementation and process refinement of entire employment life cycle• Developed and implemented policies and programs to attract, retain, and promote an employee oriented, high performance work force; assisted with recruitment, selection, hiring, onboarding, and evaluating.• Advised, counseled, and trained management on coaching, performance management, conflict management and resolution, and applicable laws and regulations; served as trusted advisor to senior executives.• Administered benefits enrollment & programs, leave-of-absence programs, FMLA, and personnel records.• Led automation and streamlining of H.R. processes and benefits systems with an up-to-date knowledge of the industry.• Collaborated with insurance brokers to negotiate, implement, and oversee administration of health, workers’ compensation, long and short-term disability, life insurance, and critical illness coverage.

Filled temporary roles to oversee Human Resources departments at two small businesses in transition.Robinson Realty, LLC - Human Resources Manager - Collinsville, Illinois (Apr. to Nov. 2016); managed H.R. functions for a company with 50 employees that closed in Nov. 2016; recruited employees; managed LOA; administered benefits, handled workplace issues.Children’s Factory - Human Resources Generalist (Contract) - Union, Missouri (Feb. to Apr. 2016); managed H.R. functions for a manufacturer of soft play products with 300 employees; managed multiple projects for different stakeholders; supported development of best practices and tools for H.R. project management & execution; analyzed results and provided recommendations.

Hired to manage H.R. functions for a company with 150 employees prior to transitioning HR functions to Kansas City office for a full-service engineering, mapping, and custom software development provider; provides asset management for utility companies.• Worked as part of the senior management team to recruit employees for hard-to-fill positions; managed leave-of-absence programs and personnel records; administered benefits enrollment and programs; handled HR workplace issues.• Implemented the integration of a health insurance carrier into a web-based benefits administrator.• Supervised, coached, and developed a Receptionist and an H.R. Administrator.

Recruited to develop, implement, and manage H.R. functions for a company with 80 employees for a private, nonprofit, intermediate care facility, providing a safe & supportive environment for developmentally disabled individuals.• Served as the initial point of advice, problem resolution, and facilitation in the areas of employee relations, performance management, employee discipline, benefit administration, compensation, training, and workplace issues.• Advised both team members and management regarding policies and procedures; researched, identified and analyzed specific concerns and made appropriate recommendations to management and team members.• Managed the H.R. budget; saved $18,000 annually by conducting a time study and revising work schedules.• Created H.R. policies and procedures; recruited and on-boarded employees; managed leave-of-absence programs and personnel records; oversaw all disciplinary documentation, terminations, and resignations.• Administered employee benefits program including health insurance, life/disability coverage, 401(k), and paid time off.• Enhanced organizational effectiveness by establishing an effective recruiting program, interviewing candidates, counseling managers on candidate selection, assisting with candidate placement, and implementing orientation and training programs.

Earned credit toward MA degree and gained valuable experience in all facets of H.R. for one of the top 15 science centers worldwide with a mission to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning.• Worked independently on special projects including development of job descriptions and competencies for over 200 employees and 492 dedicated volunteers and interns; recommended additional title and position-leveling.• Assisted in internal and external recruitment efforts to fill open requisitions; screened resumes in HRIS system for qualified job applicants and provided rationale and recommendations for selecting candidates.• Researched and collected data for employee wellness initiatives; created organizational chart.

Started up and managed the H.R. function for franchised Hampton Inn hotel with 20 employees.• Developed policies; coached & trained the GM on H.R. issues; recruited, interviewed, and hired candidates; administered drug screening program; handled WC and unemployment claims; ensured legal compliance.