ALYSE NICHOLSON
13525 S Erin Dr. Homer Glen ,IL
Summary
Detail-oriented and meticulous Director of People Operations with 11 years of experience in people-centered human resources, labor law, and staff engagement. Skilled in process improvement, risk assessment, and change management, ensuring comprehensive support for employees and strategic alignment with organizational goals. A masterful communicator and proactive leader, committed to fostering relationships and creating environments for growth.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of People Operations
4.0 Schools
New Orleans, LA (Remote)
01.2022 - Current
- Develop HR policies and ensure legal compliance for a remote workforce consisting of 15 FTEs and 30+ contractors, improving operations and enhancing morale resulting in zero legal infractions
- Deliver training programs to improve staff understanding and foster a positive work environment through team-building and mentorship
- Manage the entire HR lifecycle, optimize HR systems (Freshteam, Spark Hire, HR Ease, Justworks), and generate analytics for efficient operations and informed decision-making
- Cultivate a DEI-focused culture to attract and retain top talent
- Lead culture initiatives, develop surveys (Qualtrics), and analyze employee feedback for continuous improvement
Human Resources Manager
4.0 Schools
New Orleans, LA (Remote)
01.2022 - 10.2023
- Managed employee relations to foster a positive work environment, resolve disputes, and support employee well-being
- Streamlined onboarding and offboarding for efficient employee transitions
- Developed and maintained HR policies, payroll, benefits, and systems for compliance and operational efficiency
- Managed benefits administration and broker relationships to provide competitive and cost-effective options
- Designed and led an organization-wide pay equity project to ensure fair compensation resulting in 100% acceptance of offer letters
Director of Regional Operations
Lighthouse Academies, Inc.
Gary, IN (Hybrid)
10.2020 - 01.2022
- Directed daily operations for four K-12 school buildings in East Chicago and Gary, IN, overseeing 40 staff members in critical areas like school operations, food service, transportation, maintenance, facilities, and technology to ensure compliance and operational efficiency
- Successfully managed a multi-year $50M+ combined budget for operational spending resulting in zero financial findings on the annual audit
- Orchestrated planning, systems, and vendor communication for a diverse range of functions, ensuring efficient and effective operations
- Implemented and maintained effective COVID-19 procedures to protect the health and safety of students, staff, and the community
- Streamlined student enrollment and registration processes to improve efficiency and enhance the overall student experience
Director of Talent and Human Resources
Lighthouse Academies, Inc.
Wesley Chapel, FL (Remote)
08.2013 - 10.2020
- Developed and implemented HR and Culture function in collaboration with senior leadership and team, driving organizational transformation and fostering a positive work environment
- Led talent planning, development, and recruitment for the national team and 16 schools achieving a 4.6% selection rate
- Hired and managed a team of 4 HR professionals
- Designed innovative incentives to attract and retain top talent resulting in a 53% increase in applications and a 25% staff retention increase within one year
- Developed and implemented people-centered company policies for compliance and employee support
- Recruited over 500 new hires through targeted initiatives and employer branding
- Managed employee relations, administered compensation, and maintained accurate records resulting in zero compliance findings
- Provided training to managers on HR best practices and company policies such as performance management, to ensure consistent application and employee development
- Represented company at events and used social media to promote career opportunities
High School Mathematics Teacher
ASU Preparatory Academy
Phoenix, AZ
06.2011 - 07.2013
- Taught Algebra and Advanced Algebra to over 100 students annually as a founding teacher utilizing challenging and diverse curriculums, fostering a strong foundation in mathematical concepts
- Students achieved 200% increase in math scores on the Stanford 10 Mathematics Assessment
- Led the Knewton Math Readiness program, providing personalized instruction to support student success
- Taught a Capstone class using the Ashoka curriculum, guiding students in developing youth ventures to address social issues
- Served as a Teach For America corps member, contributing to the school's growth and development
Education
Master of Education - Secondary Mathematics
Arizona State University
Phoenix, AZ05.2013
Bachelor of Science - Sociology
Illinois State University
Normal, IL05.2011
Certifications and Organizations
- Arizona Department of Education Teacher Certification
- Helios Leadership Pilot Program Selected Participant
- REALITY Israel Community Program Selected Participant
- Teach For America Selected Participant
- Jumpstart Selected Participant
Volunteer Experience
- Northwest Indiana Lighthouse Charter Schools Board President
- PATH Crisis Center Crisis Hotline Volunteer and Shift Supervisor
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Skills
- Strategic Planning
- People Management
- Operations Management
- Project Management
- Creativity and Innovation
- Strategies and goals
- Budget Management
- Contract and Vendor Management
- Hiring and Retention
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance
- Crisis Management
- Talent Acquisition
- Human Resources Management
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Relationship Building
- Effective leader
- Decision-Making
- Process Improvements
- Staff training/development
- Performance Evaluation and Monitoring
- Hiring and Onboarding
- Change Management
- Management Team Building
- Employee Relations
Certification
- Licensed Teacher
Timeline
Director of People Operations
4.0 Schools
01.2022 - Current
Human Resources Manager
4.0 Schools
01.2022 - 10.2023
Director of Regional Operations
Lighthouse Academies, Inc.
10.2020 - 01.2022
Director of Talent and Human Resources
Lighthouse Academies, Inc.
08.2013 - 10.2020
High School Mathematics Teacher
ASU Preparatory Academy
06.2011 - 07.2013
Master of Education - Secondary Mathematics
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science - Sociology
Illinois State University