Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Military Service
HR Tools/Technologies
Websites
Timeline
Generic

April Collazo

Cary,NC

Summary

Dynamic Human Resources Executive with over 26 years of progressive, global experience driving transformative people strategies across diverse industries. Proven leader in end-to-end HR management, talent acquisition, and employee engagement, with a strong record of aligning workforce strategies to business objectives. Skilled in shaping high-performing cultures, optimizing organizational effectiveness, and reducing turnover through innovative programs, and data-driven solutions. Trusted partner to executive leadership, consistently fostering environments of growth, agility, and operational excellence.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

HR Director Durham & ESDT Europe

Cambrex
Durham, North Carolina
08.2023 - Current
  • Optimized HR operations across Durham and Europe, boosting employee engagement and retention through streamlined processes.
  • Standardized global HR policies, ensuring compliance, while enhancing operational effectiveness and scalability.
  • Developed and executed data-driven strategies that drove a measurable decline in turnover, and improved talent retention.
  • Facilitated leadership development initiatives, strengthened team cohesion, and elevated managerial effectiveness.
  • Led organization-wide change management programs, enhancing adaptability and cross-functional responsiveness to evolving business needs.
  • Directed cross-regional HR efforts to support strategic growth and unlock operational efficiencies across global teams.
  • Revamped employee feedback systems, embedding a culture of continuous improvement, and innovation.
  • Provided expert counsel on employee relations matters, improving conflict resolution, and fostering a more constructive workplace environment.

Global Head of People Operations & Talent Acquisition

Spine Media-adtech/martech
08.2021 - 08.2023
  • Directed a global people operations team fo three, including two HR generalist and a Talent Acquisition Partner, to execute strategic initiatives and support business growth
  • Served on the Executive Leadership Team reporting directly to the CEO, crafting long-term organizational development strategies.
  • Developed and implemented company-wide performance management system, resulting in 15% increase in employee ratings.
  • Established end-to-end HR infrastructure encompassing Talent Acquisition, Performance Management, Talent Development, Compliance, and Employee Relations, all aligned with evolving business objectives.
  • Revamped employee feedback systems to foster continuous development and a culture of learning.
  • Led employee engagement initiatives, boosting engagement scores from 43% to 70%, and reducing turnover from 9.96% to 4%.
  • Upgraded interview and onboarding workflows through tech integrations, enhancing candidate experience, and operational efficiency.
  • Negotiated the transition from TriNet to ADP WorkforceNow, achieving $25K in annual savings while increasing HR process efficiency by 30%.

HR Director

OFM (Division of HNI Corporation)
03.2020 - 07.2021
  • Led a high-performing team of four across HR Analytics, Generalist, Manager, and Talent Acquisition functions, driving cross-functional alignment, and strategic execution.
  • Directed HR and Talent Acquisition operations, optimizing payroll, benefits, and HRMS processes—resulting in a measurable 6% boost in employee satisfaction and engagement, month over month.
  • Facilitated enterprise-wide change management initiatives, improving processes, and supporting scalable business growth.
  • Engineered workforce planning strategies, enhancing leadership ratios, and driving efficient resource allocation.
  • Streamlined core HR workflows, cutting employee turnover from 4.80% to 1.40% through targeted planning and retention strategies.
  • Collaborated with executive leadership post-M&A to unify policies, raising engagement scores from 2.33 to 3.96.
  • Built out comprehensive compensation models, aligning pay structures with market benchmarks, and performance expectations.
  • Implemented short- and long-term incentive plans, driving retention and engagement across key talent segments.
  • Implemented HR Scorecard with key people metrics, increasing feedback survey participation from 56% to 77%, and uncovering actionable development opportunities.
  • Led data-driven workforce analytics, uncovering trends that improved productivity and efficiency by 20%.
  • Championed talent development programs, boosting internal promotion rates by 25%, and lowering recruitment costs by 15%.

Global Director Human Resources & Talent Acquisition

Digital Turbine-adtech
11.2015 - 01.2020
  • Led HR and Talent Acquisition team, supporting 450+ employees globally, reporting to CFO and CEO.
  • Developed integration programs for five acquisitions, growing company from 135 to 450 employees.
  • Partnered with executives on M&A objectives, policies, and employee engagement programs.
  • Implemented programs increasing engagement score from 44% to 78% and satisfaction score by 40%.
  • Negotiated benefits renewals, reducing costs by $50K while maintaining superior coverage.
  • Spearheaded HR tech integrations, enhancing operational efficiency by 30% and aligning HR processes with global business objectives.
  • Directed strategic HR initiatives, driving a 25% increase in employee engagement through tailored development programs and leadership training.
  • Partnered with cross-functional teams to streamline talent acquisition, reducing time-to-hire by 20% and boosting team productivity.
  • Optimized compensation structures, achieving a 35% rise in employee retention and maintaining competitive market positioning.
  • Redesigned onboarding process, reducing employee ramp-up time by 30% and enhancing new hire retention by 20%.
  • Audited and revamped compliance protocols, ensuring 100% adherence to international labor laws and reducing legal risks.

Sr. HRBP & Sr. Talent Acquisition Partner

RegEd-Fintech
04.2012 - 11.2015
  • Managed HR functions for employees across four locations, ensuring smooth operations.
  • Collaborated with HQ on payroll, benefits, and terminations for 2000 employees, enhancing efficiency.
  • Developed training and performance programs, boosting employee engagement and retention.
  • Led recruiting and onboarding processes, successfully filling key positions and reducing turnover.
  • Administered compensation and benefits, ensuring compliance and employee satisfaction.
  • Streamlined HR processes, reducing onboarding time by 20% and improving payroll accuracy.
  • Managed labor relations and performance programs, ensuring compliance and boosting overall workforce productivity.
  • Designed an employee recognition program, boosting morale and increasing productivity by 10%.
  • Conducted compliance audits, ensuring adherence to labor laws and reducing risk of legal issues.
  • Introduced a digital onboarding platform, cutting onboarding time by 30% and enhancing new hire experience.

HR Manager

GFI Software-IT Solutions Software
01.2010 - 01.2010
  • Managed recruitment processes, reducing time-to-hire by 12 days through efficient screening methods.
  • Implemented employee engagement programs, boosting satisfaction scores by 18%.
  • Developed and enforced HR policies, ensuring compliance with labor laws and company standards.
  • Conducted training sessions, enhancing team skills and reducing turnover by 8%.
  • Resolved employee conflicts, maintaining a positive and productive work environment.
  • Managed HR processes, ensuring compliance and efficiency, while fostering a productive and harmonious work environment.
  • Led strategic workforce planning, aligning talent acquisition with company growth objectives, ensuring optimal staffing levels.
  • Executed compensation analysis, optimizing salary structures and achieving a 95% retention rate among top performers.
  • Monitored HR metrics, identifying trends and implementing corrective actions, resulting in a 15% increase in operational efficiency.

Head of Human Resources

Shawsmith London-ecommerce/retail
01.2008 - 01.2010

Career Development Counselor

Aveda Institute Chapel Hill
01.2008 - 01.2009

Head of Human Resources

Smart Online -software as a service
01.2005 - 01.2007

On Site Performance Manager

Greene Resources Staffing-manufacturing/distribution
01.2004 - 01.2005

Senior Regional HR Manager

Allied Barton Security-corporate security industry
01.2004 - 01.2004

Senior HRBP/Senior Recruiter

Mellon HR Solutions-accounting firm
01.2000 - 01.2004
  • Company Overview: (previously benefits outsourcing division of PricewaterhouseCoopers)

Education

MBA - Business Management

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC
12-2027

Bachelor of Science - Business/HR Management

Colorado Technical University
Colorado Springs
11.2011

Associate Degree - Business/HR Management

Colorado Technical University
Colorado Springs
01.2009

Skills

  • Strategic workforce planning
  • Talent acquisition and employer branding
  • Performance and succession management
  • Total Rewards Strategy (compensation, benefits, and incentives)
  • Organizational and leadership development
  • Change management and culture transformation
  • HR analytics and scorecard design
  • Technology-enabled HR (HRIS and automation)
  • Employee experience and engagement
  • M&A integration and post-acquisition alignment
  • Operational excellence and process optimization
  • Cross-functional collaboration and COE partnership
  • Employee relations and conflict resolution
  • Feedback and continuous improvement systems

Military Service

  • 77F/88M
  • US Army
  • US Army National Guard

HR Tools/Technologies

HRMS/HRIS/PEO

  • ADP WorkforceNow, ADP TotalSource, ADP Enterprise, Workday, PeopleSoft, TriNet, Ripple, JD Edwards, Oracle, Kronos, BambooHR, SuccessFactors

ATS

  • Jazz, Taleo, Lever, Jobvite, Greenhouse, ADP, Bullhorn, ICIMS

Compensation Software

  • Comp Analyst, WTW, Payscale, Mercer

Performance Management & Employee Engagement

  • Cornerstone, Culture Amp, Lattice, Engagedly, Survey Monkey

Project Management

  • Asana, Smartsheets

Administrative (Email, Documents, Reporting)

  • Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Publisher), Visio, Adobe Creator, Google Suite(Sheets, PowerPoint, Reports, Email), eFax, DocuSign, PandaDoc, SignEasy

Timeline

HR Director Durham & ESDT Europe

Cambrex
08.2023 - Current

Global Head of People Operations & Talent Acquisition

Spine Media-adtech/martech
08.2021 - 08.2023

HR Director

OFM (Division of HNI Corporation)
03.2020 - 07.2021

Global Director Human Resources & Talent Acquisition

Digital Turbine-adtech
11.2015 - 01.2020

Sr. HRBP & Sr. Talent Acquisition Partner

RegEd-Fintech
04.2012 - 11.2015

HR Manager

GFI Software-IT Solutions Software
01.2010 - 01.2010

Head of Human Resources

Shawsmith London-ecommerce/retail
01.2008 - 01.2010

Career Development Counselor

Aveda Institute Chapel Hill
01.2008 - 01.2009

Head of Human Resources

Smart Online -software as a service
01.2005 - 01.2007

On Site Performance Manager

Greene Resources Staffing-manufacturing/distribution
01.2004 - 01.2005

Senior Regional HR Manager

Allied Barton Security-corporate security industry
01.2004 - 01.2004

Senior HRBP/Senior Recruiter

Mellon HR Solutions-accounting firm
01.2000 - 01.2004

MBA - Business Management

North Carolina State University

Bachelor of Science - Business/HR Management

Colorado Technical University

Associate Degree - Business/HR Management

Colorado Technical University

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