Aria Whitmire
Indianapolis,IN
Summary
Dedicated Director of Human Resources competent in developing widely accepted recruitment and retention strategies. Knowledgeable in new hire training and on-boarding methods. Offering successful career history comprising more than 18 years.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Human Resources
Hilton
Indianapolis, IN
07.2023 - Current
- Directed each phase of hiring process, encompassing employment verification, employee relations investigations, criminal background checks and onboarding.
- Maintained human resources regulatory compliance with local, state and federal laws.
- Coordinated and worked with management on performance evaluations, supervisory practices, dispute resolution, and employee accountability.
- Maintained company compliance with local, state, and federal laws, in addition to established organizational standards.
- Developed succession plans and promotion paths for staff.
- Participated at strategic and operational level to develop and strengthen human resources services, relationships and mission.
- Recommended appropriate resolutions to employee relations concerns and handled disciplinary issues and investigations of misconduct.
- Coordinated and engaged with leadership in planning and organizing calendars, events and activities.
- Conducted investigations and assisted with handling employee complaints involving Affirmative Action to promote equitable workplace.
- Fostered cross-functional relationships to connect managers and employees and improve overall efficiency.
- Enhanced team workflows and employee job satisfaction by coordinating communication between managers and employees.
- Developed comprehensive process for new hires and reviewed new hire productivity, optimizing onboarding effectiveness.
- Identified and implemented appropriate strategies to increase employee satisfaction and retention.
- Recruited top talent to maximize profitability.
- Fostered positive work environment through comprehensive employee relations program.
Director of Human Resources
The Alexander
Indianapolis, IN
10.2021 - 07.2023
- Within a 60 day period, I brought our current staffing levels from 52 team members to 75 through recruiting, scheduling and pre-screening
- In 2022 our turnover percent was 15% below our company average and 30% market average
- Celebrated a 10% internal promotion rate.
- Directed each phase of hiring process, encompassing employment verification, employee relations investigations, criminal background checks and onboarding.
- Coordinated and worked with management on performance evaluations, supervisory practices, dispute resolution, and employee accountability.
- Structured compensation and benefits according to market conditions and budget demands.
- Collaborated on hiring and training of new employees, professional growth of staff and team building and motivation.
- Maintained optimal staffing levels by tracking vacancies and initiating recruitment and interview processes to identify qualified candidates.
- Educated employees on company policy and kept employee handbook current.
- Interviewed potential hires, negotiated salaries and benefits and performed reference checks.
- Recommended appropriate resolutions to employee relations concerns and handled disciplinary issues and investigations of misconduct.
Complex General Manager
Woodspring Suites Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
05.2017 - 10.2021
- Consistently exceeded weekly & monthly sales targets while maintaining costs
- Raised guest service scores by 27%, current LTR YTD 8.6, Friendliness 9.8
- Reduced employee turnover to by 35% through relationship building
- Maintained an ADR of $68 during the pandemic, and $96 in previous years
- Consistently schedule 4 departments under our labor budget resulting in a positive deficit towards our bottom line
- Optimized profits by actively managing workloads, payroll costs, vendor costs & food waste
- Responsible for accounts payable, commission distributions, & purchasing
- Maintained 60% occupancy during renovation
- Motivated team members with one on ones, having an open door policy and being willing to lead by example and get my 'hands dirty'.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
Director of Task Force and Development
Island Hospitality Management
Lombard, IL
10.2010 - 05.2017
- Awarded 'team member of the year' in 2014 and 2015
- Increased GOP by 8% by implementing a new labor model
- Strategized & implemented marketing campaigns focused on new market segments
- Provided leadership and direction as a relief General Manager at various Hotel/s and brands including: Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Radisson, Wyndham and Choice
- Assisted in the selection, hiring, on-boarding, and training of the new General Manager
- Worked closely with the regional leadership regarding standards and training in order to determine the areas of opportunity within the assigned territory to achieve target goals
- Coordinated, directed and managed the staff and day-to-day hotel operations to achieve profitability, guest satisfaction, and efficiency while maintaining standards set by the company, assuring 100% guest satisfaction for up to 3 properties at a time.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Oversaw operations and provided corrective feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals.
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Managed daily operations while overseeing multiple locations to foster increased productivity.
General Manager
Staybridge Suites
Lincolnshire, IL
07.2009 - 10.2010
- Supervise full & part-time employees in areas of interviewing, training, & evaluation
- Oversee inventory control & purchasing of food & beverage
- Careful to adhere to budgeting practices
- Implement procedures that contribute to a safe & pleasant experience for customers
- Responsible for the payroll input & monitoring for 5 departments
- Decreased food cost by partnering with local restaurants & increase guest experience
- Developed a sales team who understood & adhered to positive growth within the market.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
Assistant General Manager
Hampton Inn
Lombard, IL
05.2008 - 07.2009
- Supervise full & part-time employees in areas of interviewing, training, & evaluation
- Purchased & maintained office supply inventories
- Resolving all guest issues & following up with all reviews
- Implement procedures that contribute to a safe & pleasant experience for customers
- Responsible for the payroll input & monitoring for 2 departments
- Identified process inefficiencies & made recommendations for process improvements.
- Motivated, trained, and disciplined employees to maximize performance.
- Resolved problems promptly to elevate customer approval.
Disney College Program Intern
Walt Disney Company
Orlando, FL
05.2007 - 05.2009
- Delivered daily guest service in a fortune 100 company
- Actively displayed the 'Four Keys' of the Walt Disney World Company
- Demonstrated the ability to manage multiple tasks and remain calm under pressure
- Actively mentor new members of the Disney College Program and assist with on-boarding
- Assist in the training, development and coaching of fellow cast members
- Believe in the magic and pass it on through 'pixie dust' to others.
- Analyzed problems and worked with teams to develop solutions.
Education
SHERM, Corporate Professional -
Ivy Tech University
05.2023
B.A., Business Administration -
Lewis University
05.2011
Associates degree, Hospitality & Restaurant management -
Lewis University
04.2009
Skills
- Hiring/Training/Development
- Budget Management
- Compensation Structuring
- Relationship Building
- Performance Evaluation
- Employee Relations
- Strategy Development
- Onboarding
Accomplishments
- The Alexander
- Nominated for "Leader of the Year" in 2022
- Nominated for the "We Care" Award in 2023
- Walt Disney Company, Received a total of 10 "four keys achievement" pins within a 3 month time period
- Island Hospitality Management, Awarded 'Team member of the year' in 2014 and 2015
Certification
- SHRM-CP - SHRM Certified Professional
- Certified ADA Proctor - Hilton
- Certified Venza Proctor - Hilton
Honors
The Alexander
-Awarded “Leader of the Year” in 2022.
-Nominated for “We Care” Award in 2023.
Walt Disney Company
-Received a total of 10 “four keys achievement” pins within a 3 month time period.
Island Hospitality Management
-Awarded ‘Team member of the year’ in 2014 and 2015.
Timeline
Director of Human Resources
Hilton
07.2023 - Current
Director of Human Resources
The Alexander
10.2021 - 07.2023
Complex General Manager
Woodspring Suites Indianapolis
05.2017 - 10.2021
Director of Task Force and Development
Island Hospitality Management
10.2010 - 05.2017
General Manager
Staybridge Suites
07.2009 - 10.2010
Assistant General Manager
Hampton Inn
05.2008 - 07.2009
Disney College Program Intern
Walt Disney Company
05.2007 - 05.2009
SHERM, Corporate Professional -
Ivy Tech University
B.A., Business Administration -
Lewis University
Associates degree, Hospitality & Restaurant management -
Lewis University