Cara McElroy
Blue Bell,PA
Summary
Dedicated and versatile Project Management Professional with over 6 years of Talent Acquisition Operations experience, as well as a comprehensive background in Human Resources. Expertise includes HRIS implementation, program management, and HR Business Partnership. Strong track record in process management and improvement. Highly organized and effective communicator. Skilled in building and maintaining stakeholder relationships. Holds active Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and currently pursuing PMP certification. Utilizes strategic planning, project management, and stakeholder communication to enhance operational efficiency and drive team success. Proven leadership abilities in high-stakes environments.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Director, Program and Project Manager – HR Program Management Office
Organon, LLC
02.2023 - Current
- Company Overview: Merck Spin-Off
- Drove the implementation and stand up of Organon's first HR Program Management Office (PMO)
- Established project management structure and governance to ensure the successful implementation of HR project portfolio
- Improved overall team efficiency by streamlining project management processes and implementing new collaboration tools.
- Responsible for change management strategy development and implementation activities for global projects
- Develop and enhance PMO strategy, toolkits and change management approaches to ensure successful sustainment of the PMO
- Manage multiple stakeholders at varying levels of the organization globally to ensure project alignment, risk identification and mitigation and address concerns
- Implemented a new project management tool, improving team collaboration, project tracking and reporting for senior leaders
- Responsible for the annual portfolio selection process, partnering with the HR Leadership team and CHRO Chief of Staff to successfully identify, resource and execute the HR portfolio of projects
- Managed cross-functional teams for multiple large-scale projects, successfully completing each on time and within budget constraints.
- Trained and developed department leaders and management staff for specific projects and ongoing operational needs.
Global Talent Acquisition Operations Lead – Americas
Merck & Co, Inc.
04.2021 - 02.2023
- Oversaw and managed the Global Talent Acquisition (GTA) Operations team for the Americas, including GTA Support Services, University Relations Coordination, GTA Training, Issue resolution, and all GTA Organizational Readiness and Communication
- Supplier Manager for the Americas Recruiting Process Outsourcer ($12M) and Global Background Screening Provider ($2.5M), ensured suppliers met contract established SLAs and KPIs; managed all supplier related performance issues
- Project Manager for all global compliance related projects; Program Manager for all GTA Operations related projects
- Managed and participated in user acceptance testing, ensuring successful and smooth implementation of all system changes and enhancement
- Drove process improvements in GTA systems and processes, ensured robust training and communications were provided to all members of the GTA team globally
- Partnered with Procurement in the renegotiation of the Global Background Screening Provider contract, successfully negotiated a 10% savings across the board
- Enhanced team productivity by providing ongoing training and development opportunities.
- Fostered a positive work environment by promoting open communication, teamwork, and employee engagement.
Sr Project Manager, HR Operations
Merck & Co, Inc.
04.2019 - 04.2021
- Project Manager for the Organon divestiture, a $17B activity, establishing over 10,000 employees and contractors, as well as functions and processes for day one readiness
- Program Manager for the External Workforce, GTA workstreams and Executive Leadership Team and Managing Director selection and hiring processes
- Managed multiple workstreams within the Organon spin as both a program and project manager
- Partnered closely with key stakeholders to quickly establish trust and strong partnerships
- Executed against multiple aggressive, complex and competing timelines to successfully execute multiple workstreams for the Organon spin
- Facilitated numerous planning sessions with senior leaders across multiple functional areas to ensure alignment on processes and execution path
- Executed the ELT+1 and MD selection and hiring process in partnership with multiple sr. Leaders
- Project Manager for Equity Conversion workstream of Organon conversion
- Due to significant risk identified with this workstream, identified to step in and quickly gain trust among all senior leaders and stakeholders to successfully manage the final steps in the equity conversion process for both Organon and Merck
- Partnered with internal stakeholders and external suppliers and external consultants to ensure all necessary steps were completed to complete successful conversion
- Partnered with Organizational Readiness and external consultants to draft and execute both internal and external communications
- Facilitated stakeholder engagement throughout the transition process, promoting buy-in and support for change initiatives.
- Maintained schedules to meet key milestones at every project phase.
- Presented regular status reports to executive leadership, providing insights into progress made toward achieving key milestones.
HR Business Partner, Merck Commercial Organization
Merck & Co, Inc.
02.2018 - 04.2019
- Consulted regularly with senior leaders, directors and supervisors, providing HR guidance when appropriate
- Managed conflict resolution processes to maintain a positive work environment and resolve employee disputes effectively.
- Partnered with legal counsel to ensure compliance with employment regulations, reducing potential liability risks for the organization.
- Conducted monthly meetings with senior leadership for Chronic Care, Women's Healthcare and Hospital Specialty divisions to provide guidance and implementation of HR programs, policies and procedures in alignment with business objectives
- Maintained in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance
- Partnered with the legal department as needed/required
- Provided day-to-day performance management guidance to directors and supervisors (e.g., coaching, counseling, career development, disciplinary actions)
- Partnered with DCO talent leads in the development and implementation of the Chronic Care talent strategy
- Worked closely with senior management and directors to build morale, increase productivity and retention among front line sales representatives
- Partnered with Office of Ethics and Employee Relations to ensure appropriate closure for all disciplinary and performance cases
- Provided guidance and input on business unit workforce planning and succession planning
Program and Project Specialist, HR Operations
Merck & Co, Inc.
04.2016 - 02.2018
- HR Operations Program Manager for the supplier selection, program design and launch of a new global recognition program, which is utilized by 65,000 employees in over 80 countries
- In partnership with the Compensation COE, successfully navigated the Merck Procurement process, ensuring that the leading industry supplier was selected for this initiative
- Drove program design meetings with project core team and Compensation COE to determine the overall program strategy as well as system configuration needs
- Established relationships with regional Compensation Leads and HR Operations Client Relationship Managers to gather local and regional program requirements
- Executed on these requirements, where applicable by partnering with the supplier to ensure delivery
- Partnered closely with internal counsel to understand country specific works council and union requirements
- Successfully gained a positive response from all works councils, where applicable
- Partnered with the Organization Readiness Workstream Lead to drive a cultural shift in how employees and managers view the importance of recognition
- Worked closely with the HR Operations Solutions lead and the supplier Implementation Manager to ensure that business priorities and strategy were configured accurately within the recognition tool
- Communicated with and coached project team members to ensure timely and accurate completion of project deliverables
- Effectively established and maintained strong project sponsor and project stakeholder relationships
- Established clear lines of communication between all parties involved in projects, preventing misunderstandings or miscommunications from jeopardizing outcomes.
HR and Talent Acquisition Project Manager, Human Resources and Services
Cigna Healthcare
05.2014 - 04.2016
- Project Manager for the launch of the Taleo applicant tracking system in multiple countries, including leading requirements gathering sessions, managing system configuration, testing, communications and training
- Responsible for the day-to-day oversight of Recruiting Operation's RPO and employment screening suppliers and served as the liaison with the Cigna Talent Acquisition team
- Drove service improvements and efficiencies in the onboarding process and Talent Acquisition process
- Partnered with Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, Global Security and Supply Chain Management to conduct market scan, RFP activities, compliance and to minimize corporate risk
- Business Leader for Request for Proposal (RFP) process for both RPO and employment screening, including conducting market scans, RFP question creation and finalist selection
- Responsible for counseling Talent Acquisition leadership on recommended approach and selection of RFP vendors
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
Project Manager, Talent Strategic Initiatives
Cigna Healthcare
09.2012 - 05.2014
- Member of the Talent Strategic Initiatives team, responsible for process improvement of the Talent Acquisition team
- Seen as a recruiting subject matter expert in both process and systems for candidates, managers, HR and recruiters
- Project team member for the conversion from PeopleSoft 9.1 to Taleo Applicant Tracking System; Change Manager for deployment of the Taleo system globally, including the creation of training material, job aids and employee communications
- Managed the creation of the external Cigna career website, including launches in the U.S., India, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the U.K
- Manager of the Cigna Employee Referral Program
Recruiter
Cigna Healthcare
05.2006 - 09.2012
- Sourced and evaluated candidates for multiple business areas
- Developed and implemented effective recruitment strategies to meet business needs
- Collaborate with hiring managers to understand their requirements and provide timely updates on candidate progress
- Utilize data and metrics to optimize the recruitment process and improve candidate experience
- Provide exceptional customer service to both internal stakeholders and external candidates
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PASkills
- Project Management
- Analytical Thinking
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Relationship Building
- Decision-Making
- Team Collaboration and Leadership
- Process Improvement
- Project Risk Management
- Key Relationship Management
- Executive Presence
- Recruitment and Hiring
- Project Planning and Execution
Certification
- PHR
Systemstools
- Workday
- PeopleSoft HRIS
- Taleo
- MS Office Suite (including MS Project and MS Visio)
- Wrike project management system
Timeline
Associate Director, Program and Project Manager – HR Program Management Office
Organon, LLC
02.2023 - Current
Global Talent Acquisition Operations Lead – Americas
Merck & Co, Inc.
04.2021 - 02.2023
Sr Project Manager, HR Operations
Merck & Co, Inc.
04.2019 - 04.2021
HR Business Partner, Merck Commercial Organization
Merck & Co, Inc.
02.2018 - 04.2019
Program and Project Specialist, HR Operations
Merck & Co, Inc.
04.2016 - 02.2018
HR and Talent Acquisition Project Manager, Human Resources and Services
Cigna Healthcare
05.2014 - 04.2016
Project Manager, Talent Strategic Initiatives
Cigna Healthcare
09.2012 - 05.2014
Recruiter
Cigna Healthcare
05.2006 - 09.2012
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
The Pennsylvania State University
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