Adrien Merliss

• Developed and implemented agency-wide Talent Acquisition processes
• Supported the launch and optimization of the Paycom Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
• Streamlined requisition, offer, and onboarding processes - effectively reducing the time-to-fill and time-to-hire timelines
• Led recruitment efforts for the organization's largest and most understaffed program - started with over 100 vacancies to single digits vacancies in two years
• Acted as a team lead - supervising, training, and supporting - a team of temporary recruiters
• Organized and hosted on-site and virtual career fairs, community hiring events, and candidate engagement initiatives to grow pipelines and support DEI initiatives
• Created comprehensive policy and procedure documents (PDF, Word, video) covering requisition submission, ATS navigation, offer processes, and hiring manager toolkits
• Trained hiring managers on behavioral interview techniques, system use, and recruitment compliance best practices; served as subject matter expert on Paycom ATS
• Collaborated with senior leadership including CEO, CFO, and department heads to align talent acquisition strategies with organizational priorities
• Recruited for diverse roles across early childhood education, mental health, supportive housing, and operations — including Director-level and hard-to-fill positions

Key Projects & Accomplishments:

• Directly hired 50+ staff across all programs during tenure
• Partnered with a marketing agency to manage a $64K recruitment campaign including radio, Meta ads, and digital out-of-home media; collaborated cross-functionally to align branding and community outreach
• Streamlined the pre-hire background check and onboarding process, reducing the average time from 65 days to 20 days

Initially hired as a temporary recruiter through a staffing agency to support high-volume hiring needs at St. Anne’s Family Services. Due to performance and organizational impact, I was brought on as a full-time Talent Acquisition Specialist.

• Supported full-cycle recruitment for programs in early childhood education and social services, contributing to high-volume hiring efforts during a critical staffing period
• Collaborated with internal HR team to screen candidates, schedule interviews, and streamline onboarding processes
• Demonstrated effectiveness and initiative, leading to direct hire as a full-time Talent Acquisition Specialist

• RPO for MilliporeSigma, EMD Performance Materials, and EMD Serono
• Recruited across the electronics/semiconductor and life sciences/biopharma industries, supporting diverse client needs across six states and all U.S. time zones
• Managed full-cycle recruitment: intake meeting, job posting, candidate sourcing, resume review, screening, submittals, interview coordination, offer extension, and negotiation
• Conducted detailed intake meetings with hiring managers to align on job requirements, compensation expectations, and candidate profiles
• Performed compensation and market analysis to support equitable and competitive salary recommendations
• Authored job postings and published requisitions through the ATS to external job boards, ensuring reach and visibility
• Ensured OFCCP compliance by confirming all candidates met required qualifications and documentation standards
• Delivered regular status updates and recruitment metrics to client stakeholders, maintaining alignment and transparency
• Partnered with HR and onboarding teams to support seamless new hire transitions; served as the primary point of contact for candidate experience

• Led high-volume, full-cycle recruitment across 10 states: managing sourcing, screening, interviews, offers, and onboarding across all company roles
• Solely managed the Paycom ATS, including job postings, candidate tracking, and system configuration to better integrate with HRIS processes
• Overhauled ATS workflows to improve efficiency, reduce manual tasks, and strengthen alignment with HR operation
• Developed creative sourcing and recruitment marketing strategies to attract quality candidates in a competitive hiring market
• Collaborated with hiring managers at all levels—from Site Managers to the CEO—to align hiring needs with organizational goals
• Delivered regular recruitment and hiring performance reports to the Executive Leadership Team, offering data-informed recommendations

• Supported all facets of HR operations, including onboarding, offboarding, payroll coordination, compliance, and recruitment
• Created employee documentation (offer letters, promotions, terminations) and processed background checks and I-9s in accordance with federal and state guidelines
• Onboarded and terminated employees in Paycom HRIS, ensuring smooth transitions and full documentation compliance
• Managed the HR department's central communication inbox and maintained all physical and digital employee files
• Facilitated HRIS training for new management and conducted new hire benefits presentations
• Authored SOPs and created step-by-step training manuals to support scalable HR processes and consistent compliance practices

Key Projects & Accomplishments:

• Led a comprehensive I-9 compliance audit, identifying and resolving discrepancies to ensure federal compliance across multiple locations
• Created and implemented a fully digital onboarding process, improving new hire experience, reducing paperwork, and enhancing workflow efficiency
• Supported the organization through two business acquisitions; served as the sole on-site HR representative during the second acquisition, coordinating all HR-related activities including onboarding, employee communication, and system integration.

• Supported the Payroll Department in clearing a backlog of employee records, ensuring timely and accurate digital file conversions
• Utilized multiple interconnected database systems to organize and cross-reference personnel data with limited identifying information
• Maintained confidentiality and compliance with employee document handling policies

• Trained and supported over 400 new independent contractors (“Runners”), guiding them through recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and activation
• Conducted interviews, led training sessions, and facilitated ride-alongs to ensure readiness and compliance with company standards
• Audited the performance of Mentors and Runners, providing feedback and coaching to improve customer satisfaction and delivery efficiency
• Acted as a liaison between operations and new hires, ensuring a smooth onboarding experience and operational alignment