Carol Figueroa, SHRM-SCP
Irvine,CA
Summary
Strategic HR leader with 13+ years of progressive experience spanning hospitality, environmental consulting, engineering, and construction environments. Proven ability to translate business and people priorities into enterprise-wide change strategies, talent initiatives, organizational solutions, and associate engagement programs. Trusted advisor to C-suite and senior leaders with experience leading HR teams, partnering across Centers of Excellence, and guiding organizations through complex transformation, organizational design, talent, and workforce initiatives. Known for executive presence, thoughtful change leadership, cross-functional influence, and the ability to simplify complex issues into actionable strategies.
Overview
1
1
Language
1
1
Certification
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Human Resources
SCS ENGINEERS
2026.04 - Current
- Lead enterprise HR strategy and organizational effectiveness for a 1,500-employee professional services organization, partnering directly with the COO, Chief People Officer, VP of HR, business unit leaders, and corporate executives. Lead a team of five HR Business Partners supporting operational and corporate functions across environmental consulting, engineering, construction, field operations, Finance, IT, Marketing, and Talent Management.
- Serve as a strategic HR advisor to the COO, CPO, VP of HR, and senior business leaders, translating organizational priorities into people strategies spanning organizational design, workforce planning, talent, engagement, leadership effectiveness, and organizational change.
- Lead and develop a team of five HR Business Partners, establishing clear priorities, increasing strategic ownership, and strengthening consistency in how HR partners with leaders across the organization.
- Direct HRBP involvement in enterprise-wide Job Architecture and Compensation transformation, partnering with leaders to build job families, career paths, employee levels, capability expectations, training and development pathways, and long-term program sustainability.
- Lead change and stakeholder engagement efforts associated with enterprise talent initiatives, helping leaders understand the business rationale, employee impact, required behaviors, and implementation considerations.
- Partner on the implementation of Workday Talent, supporting organizational readiness, stakeholder alignment, process adoption, and integration of talent practices into the broader employee experience.
- Translate employee and organizational data, engagement insights, and business needs into actionable recommendations and change priorities for senior leadership.
- Lead company-wide engagement survey analysis and action planning, partnering with leaders to identify organizational themes, develop targeted interventions, and communicate progress to executive leadership.
- Partner across Talent Management, Compensation, Employee Relations, Learning & Development, and HR Operations to align enterprise initiatives, streamline processes, and drive consistent adoption across business units.
- Advise business leaders through organizational changes, leadership transitions, workforce planning, performance challenges, employee relations matters, and organizational effectiveness opportunities.
- Develop executive-ready recommendations, presentations, and communications that simplify complex HR and organizational issues and enable leaders to make informed decisions.
- Lead organizational design and workforce planning initiatives, including evaluating role requirements, organizational structure, leadership capacity, and talent needs to support evolving business priorities.
- Coach leaders through change, strengthening sponsorship, communication, accountability, and adoption while balancing business objectives with employee experience.
Human Resources Director
GREAT WOLF LODGE
2021.11 - 2023.11
- Led the full-service HR function for a 750-employee hospitality operation, partnering with hotel leadership to drive employee experience, engagement, talent development, organizational effectiveness, and business performance.
- Served as senior HR advisor to hotel executive leadership, aligning people strategies with operational priorities in a high-volume, guest-focused hospitality environment.
- Led employee engagement, talent development, performance management, succession planning, recruiting, training, benefits, leaves, compensation, workers’ compensation, and employee relations.
- Designed and executed engagement strategies based on employee feedback and organizational insights, partnering with leaders to improve the associate experience and strengthen accountability.
- Coached leaders and managers through organizational change, performance challenges, employee relations matters, and evolving business priorities.
- Led talent reviews, succession planning, performance processes, and leadership development initiatives to strengthen the organization’s leadership pipeline.
- Partnered with corporate HR teams to implement enterprise programs locally, translating broader organizational strategies into actionable plans for a diverse frontline and leadership workforce.
- Communicated HR strategy and organizational priorities to leaders and frontline associates, adapting messaging to different audiences and levels of the organization.
- Selected for the company’s Key Talent Program cohort in 2022 in recognition of leadership potential and organizational impact.
Opening Human Resources Director
GREAT WOLF LODGE
2019.06 - 2021.10
- Built and led the HR function for a new hospitality operation, establishing foundational people processes, leadership practices, staffing strategies, employee engagement programs, and organizational infrastructure.
- Partnered with executive leadership throughout opening and ramp-up to align workforce strategy, talent acquisition, training, employee experience, and operational readiness.
- Developed leaders and managers through rapid organizational growth, coaching them on performance, employee engagement, communication, and people leadership.
- Led change initiatives associated with opening a new operation and transitioning teams through significant organizational growth and evolving business requirements.
Education
Bachelor's in Arts - Art History
Cal-State Fullerton
Fullerton, CASkills
- Enterprise Change Management
- Organizational Transformation
- Associate Engagement
- Talent Strategy
- Organizational Design
- Job Architecture
- Workforce Planning
- Leadership Development
- Internal Communications
- Executive Communications
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Change Readiness
- Talent Management
- Succession Planning
- Performance Management
- Workplace culture
- HR Technology & Systems Implementation
- Organizational Effectiveness
- HR Business Partnership
- Executive Coaching
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Employee Engagement
- Relationship management
- Strategic planning
Certification
SHRM-SCP
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Director, Human Resources
SCS ENGINEERS
2026.04 - Current
Human Resources Director
GREAT WOLF LODGE
2021.11 - 2023.11
Opening Human Resources Director
GREAT WOLF LODGE
2019.06 - 2021.10
Bachelor's in Arts - Art History
Cal-State Fullerton