ALIDA SMITH
Groton,NY
Summary
Experienced HR leader with a proven track record in higher education, adept at driving organizational change and enhancing employee relations. Skilled in mentoring teams and promoting inclusivity to achieve strategic workforce goals. Advisor to senior leadership on HR strategy, ensuring effective alignment with academic, diagnostic and clinical objectives.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of Human Resources (Currently Interim Co-Director)
Cornell University-College of Veterinary Medicine
Ithaca, NY
11.2023 - Current
- Influenced HR strategy and workforce planning by advising 20+ senior leaders (Deans, Associate Deans, Department Chairs, Directors, and enterprise leaders), directly influencing academic and non-academic HR strategy, workforce planning, organizational design, and succession decisions.
- Led strategic HR support for multiple academic departments, administrative units, and large scale 24/7 clinical and enterprise operations, improving engagement for 1,000+ faculty, staff, academics, interns/residents and union employees.
- Lead and support strategy and execution for mission critical, and senior level roles, frequently serving as a search committee member, supported successful, equitable hires across highly competitive academic and clinical markets.
- Resolved complex employee relations issues, including investigations, grievances, layoffs, accommodations, and workplace conflicts, achieving timely outcomes that minimized institutional risk and policy adherence.
- Oversee compensation activities including position classification, market analysis, internal equity reviews, compression analysis, and administration of the Salary Improvement Program for staff and faculty.
- Guided HR staff in transactions, leave administration, and reporting to ensure compliance and enhance staff capabilities.
- Developed HR analytics using university dashboards and Workday data to strengthen workforce strategy and support leadership decisions. .
- Designed and delivered HR training and supported college faculty development programs, manager forums, and orientations to enhance organizational effectiveness, engagement, and retention.
HR Generalist III
Cornell University-College of Veterinary Medicine
Ithaca, NY
07.2021 - 11.2023
- Partnered with managers and department leadership on recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention for academic and non-academic appointments.
- Supported academic faculty HR activities by streamlining recruitment support, appointment processing, reappointment's, leaves administration, and ensuring compliance with Faculty Handbook and academic policy.
- Managed employee relations activities by coaching managers, documenting disciplinary actions, developing performance improvement plans, and executing probationary reviews and exit processes to support fair and effective resolutions.
- Facilitated performance management processes by coordinating annual performance dialogues and tracking outcomes to ensure accountability and support employee development.
- Conducted classification and compensation reviews, revised position descriptions, and analyzed market and internal equity data to support informed reclassification and salary actions.
- Delivered HR consultation and support to academic and non-academic departments, including CVM leadership, as the primary point of contact for HR policy interpretation and application.
- Utilized Workday and HR systems to process, audit, and report on HR transactions, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely resolution of issues.
- Coordinated with central HR, Payroll, HRIS, and Benefits to resolve complex transactional and system issues, enhancing service delivery.
Human Resources Assistant
Cornell University-College of Veterinary Medicine
Ithaca, NY
03.2017 - 07.2021
- Supported recruitment and hiring activities by drafting position descriptions, processing transactions, and coordinating with hiring managers and HR partners, facilitating timely and effective staffing.
- Acted as the first point of contact for HR policy and procedural inquiries, providing high-quality customer service with discretion and sound judgment.
- Assisted with compensation related actions including salary changes, reclassifications, and Salary Improvement Program support, ensuring accuracy and policy compliance.
- Coordinated academic and non-academic HR activities across multiple departments within College of Veterinary Medicine, managing temporary staff, student hourly employment, and payroll functions to maintain operational efficiency.
- Maintained and organized personnel records in accordance with university retention and confidentiality standards.
- Enhanced collaboration within HR team through cross coverage and process support, contributing to continuous service improvement initiatives.
Applications Systems Assistant II (HRIS)
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
07.2012 - 03.2017
- Functioned as a technical subject matter expert, providing resources and troubleshooting support to HR and campus users on Workday processes and academic appointment tracking (AIS).
- Supported HR technology operations on Human Resource Information Systems Helpdesk team, focusing on Workday systems support for campus units, ensuring data integrity and accurate reporting.
- Improved HR system adoption and data quality through analysis and targeted user support, collaborating with campus stakeholders.
- Conducted data integrity audits and analysis, partnering with campus stakeholders to resolve discrepancies and enhance accuracy of HR records.
- Developed and analyzed HR metrics and reports to identify trends and inform training and support strategies.
Customer Lead Expert (Part-Time)
JCPenney
Cortland, NY
11.2011 - 07.2012
- Delivered exceptional customer service in high-volume environment, enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Facilitated training and led shifts, supervising associates and reinforcing performance standards to uphold operational excellence.
- Executed daily operational tasks accurately, ensuring smooth workflow and consistent service delivery.
- Collaborated with diverse coworkers to achieve team goals and effectively resolve product and service-related issues.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
Human Resources/Payroll
Fidelity/Datrose, Inc.
Endicott, NY
09.2006 - 11.2011
- Administered payroll services for IBM client, ensuring compliance and accuracy which supported client satisfaction during tenure with Fidelity and Datrose, Inc.
- Delivered payroll support in fast-paced professional services environment, achieving timely and accurate processing to meet client expectations.
- Processed payroll transactions and calculated overpayments and final pay while ensuring compliance with wage and hour regulations.
- Facilitated benefits administration and resolved employee inquiries on pay and eligibility.
Education
Master of Science - Human Resource Management
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, INMaster of Business Administration - Financial Management and International Business
Benedictine University
Lisle, ILBachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZSkills
- Strategic Workforce Planning
- Employee & Labor Relations
- HR analytics and Reporting
- Leadership Development
- Compensation and Classification
- Talent acquisition
- HR strategy
- Workplace wellbeing
HR Qualifications
- HR Strategy & Organizational Effectiveness
- Employee & Labor Relations (union contracts)
- Recruitment, Retention & Employer Branding
- Executive & Senior Leadership Advising
- Organizational Change & Workforce Planning
- Compensation, Classification & Pay Equity
- Academic HR Administration
- HR Analytics, Reporting & Decision Support
- HR Operations, Payroll & Workday Governance
- Inclusion & Workplace Wellbeing
Professional Development
- ECornell – Human Resources Management
- Ongoing professional development through SHRM, CUPA-HR, and higher-education HR networks
Timeline
Assistant Director of Human Resources (Currently Interim Co-Director)
Cornell University-College of Veterinary Medicine
11.2023 - Current
HR Generalist III
Cornell University-College of Veterinary Medicine
07.2021 - 11.2023
Human Resources Assistant
Cornell University-College of Veterinary Medicine
03.2017 - 07.2021
Applications Systems Assistant II (HRIS)
Cornell University
07.2012 - 03.2017
Customer Lead Expert (Part-Time)
JCPenney
11.2011 - 07.2012
Human Resources/Payroll
Fidelity/Datrose, Inc.
09.2006 - 11.2011
Master of Science - Human Resource Management
Indiana Wesleyan University
Master of Business Administration - Financial Management and International Business
Benedictine University
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix