Cara Waymire
Albuquerque,NM
Summary
Dynamic HR leader with a proven track record in driving strategic initiatives and optimizing executive operations. Expertise in streamlining processes to enhance organizational efficiency, combined with a strong commitment to team development and effective communication. Results-oriented approach consistently leads teams to achieve measurable outcomes, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and excellence. Recognized for adaptability in meeting evolving organizational needs while maintaining a sharp focus on collaboration and operational success.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Manager, HRS Customer Service and Talent Acquisition 03521
Sandia National Laboratories Human Resources Solutions
03.2025 - Current
- Led the HR Solutions Customer Service team with an emphasis on outstanding customer service, efficient performance including driving meeting metrics through audits, scorecards, transparency, and context for the impact of the work
- Building enhanced teaming and collaboration to ensure optimal partnership for employee engagement and to provide simple, knowledgeable, and efficient solutions that drive operational excellence for employees, dependents, and retirees with emphasis on consistency and quality
Chief of Staff and Manager Division Operations and Executive HR Services
Sandia National Laboratories Human Resources Division Office
05.2024 - 03.2025
- Led the team responsible for division operations, Executive HR Services, and HRBP strategic services for ESD, HR, and Legal
- Led the completion of a record number of executive hires
- Led the Executive and senior executive performance and compensation with the senior leadership team and Board of Managers
- Drove operational excellence responsible for the management operating system development and implementation, quarterly management training and connection meetings
- Delivered exceptional services to Sandia executives and worked as a strategic partner to Labs leaders
- Led training and implementation of change management model and principles
- Enabled greater connection and collaboration across the division for more successful and cohesive outcomes through communication, transparency, joint goals and time together
- Directly partnered with and supported the Chief Human Resources Officer with the variety of needs that come to the division from inside and outside Sandia, NNSA, DOE, Board of Managers and others
Manager, Communications and Marketing 03646 then 3245 (re-org), Reentry/Stockpile Communications and Information Management and ND and Surety Knowledge Management
Sandia National Laboratories Communications and Marketing, Human Resources, Knowledge Management
10.2015 - 05.2024
- Successfully led and managed the highly effective team of Information Managers and Technical Writers supporting much of 2300, 2400, 7200 and other areas of 2000 and 7000 and various weapon programs, Stockpile Systems, and tester and high-level component groups on multiple NW programs across Divisions 2000, 7000, and group in 8000 and partnering closely with the similar team in 8000 to coordinate
- Function as an integrated part of the management and partners team for 2300 supporting management initiatives to improve communications, documentation, morale, work environment, internal recruitment, retention, and employee satisfaction
- Built more effective relations between 2330/2340 and 3600/3200
- Integrated ND technical writing and information management practices for standardization across programs and phases of work for information and staff across programs and phases
- Design, enhance and lead the leader and staff matrix success courses with partner
Manager, Human Resources, Organization 03513
Sandia National Laboratories Health, Benefits and Employee Services
12.2010 - 10.2015
- Managed the highly regulated Retirement Administration, Benefits Customer Service, Absence Management, and Employee Services teams in a complex funding environment through substantial change and partnership with legal and finance including record retirements and plan changes and implementation of full FMLA, medical case management, and time off integration
- Managed the on-site food service operations from the Cafes and catering to vending machines to improve quality and health focus
- Developed positive close partnership with the Sandia Livermore HBE team on these programs and compliance
Vice-President, Chief Development Officer, Human Resources Leader for Southwest and Mountain Hubs as well as Financial Services Organization
Hub International (Formerly Talbot Financial Corporation)
05.2000 - 11.2010
- Company Overview: Top twenty, multinational insurance brokerage with about 1 billion dollars in revenue and 6,000 employees.
- Responsible for the HR strategies, planning, management, programs, and functions across 10 western states to align with company needs and strategic plans as well as integrate parent company HR initiatives and programs
- Designed and implemented new performance management, leadership and employee development, succession planning, employee relations, employee retention, risk mitigation, acquisition integration, compensation, and complaint resolution systems with a focus and emphasis on aligning performance with company vision and values in each individual position while fostering trust based partnerships with employees and leaders
- Managed the matrixed Albuquerque-based Employee Relations area of Human Resources
- Managed due diligence to integration for mergers and acquisitions
- Resolved employee complaints made internally and to external authorities, including appropriate investigation, review, resolution and response
Human Resources
The Kemtah Group, Inc.
09.1995 - 05.2000
- Company Overview: Fast growing high technology staffing and training company of about 300 employees
- Developed and implemented strategy in all areas of Human Resources operation including implementation of new processes to ease hiring, reduce turnover and increase employee satisfaction and productivity while improving ease of recruitment and cost effectiveness of employee management
- Managed legal compliance, manager training and coaching, HRIS implementation and use, policy systems and policies, compensation structures, benefits, and orientation and termination operations
Education
BBA - Organizational Behavior/Human Resources
University of New Mexico
MBA - Organizational Behavior/Human Resources
University of New Mexico
Skills
- Strategic decision-making
- Effective verbal communication
- Effective team leadership
- Service excellence
- Skilled in resolving conflicts
- Workforce optimization
- Strategic issue resolution
- Professional development
- Organizational strategy development
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Guiding professional development
- Strategic time allocation
Accomplishments
- Strong record of success leading in a matrix environment; successfully hired, developed, led, assessed performance, assigned work, and integrated a high performing team of more than 30 matrixed communicators while developing employee growth and strengthening positive behaviors to ensure customer needs were met safely and securely
- Facilitated the development of complex HR and communications strategies and execution of those activities
- Developed trust base relationships with line managers and executives while providing technical assistance and expertise in the development and execution of HR-related policies, procedures, programs, and systems
- Successfully crafted and implemented large scale company and division programs deployed through HR Business Partners continent-wide
- Continually partnered with customers, management, and direct reports to execute programs and strategy that align with and support overall business need and performance objectives
- Developed and implemented succession and development planning to add bench strength for evolving customer needs
- Developed and increased positive partnerships with all levels and remote sites
- Applied organization and industry knowledge to ensure alignment of performance and results with customer need and strategies
- Maximized staff strengths and skills to mitigate staffing needs and team size
Certification
- Long Term Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) 1998 -2022
- Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources in California (SPHR-CA) 2013-2022
- SHRM -Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)
- Knowledge Management Certified since 2024
Timeline
Manager, HRS Customer Service and Talent Acquisition 03521
Sandia National Laboratories Human Resources Solutions
03.2025 - Current
Chief of Staff and Manager Division Operations and Executive HR Services
Sandia National Laboratories Human Resources Division Office
05.2024 - 03.2025
Manager, Communications and Marketing 03646 then 3245 (re-org), Reentry/Stockpile Communications and Information Management and ND and Surety Knowledge Management
Sandia National Laboratories Communications and Marketing, Human Resources, Knowledge Management
10.2015 - 05.2024
Manager, Human Resources, Organization 03513
Sandia National Laboratories Health, Benefits and Employee Services
12.2010 - 10.2015
Vice-President, Chief Development Officer, Human Resources Leader for Southwest and Mountain Hubs as well as Financial Services Organization
Hub International (Formerly Talbot Financial Corporation)
05.2000 - 11.2010
Human Resources
The Kemtah Group, Inc.
09.1995 - 05.2000
MBA - Organizational Behavior/Human Resources
University of New Mexico
BBA - Organizational Behavior/Human Resources
University of New Mexico
Training
- Various training courses and certificates in leadership development, communications, employee relations, employment law, compensation, strategic management, benefits, software applications, and other areas including the Sandia National Laboratories Management Curriculum
- Developed and Teach Comm 413 and LDR 304 Courses How to Thrive in a Matrix Environment and How to Lead in a Matrix Environment
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