CAROLYN TSAO
Summary
Dynamic Human Resources leader with extensive experience and demonstrated success in strategic planning, implementation, and optimization of HR initiatives that drive organizational growth and employee engagement for start-ups and small enterprises.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Human Resources Manager
Ellison Institute
Los Angeles, CA
01.2021 - 02.2025
- Led the transition to new HRIS software, overseeing system selection, data migration, and staff training, from the initial HRIS, Zenefits, to Namely as the company scaled, and later to the HR and Payroll modules of UKG Ready as the business became more complex, ensuring each system met the evolving needs of the Institute.
- Managed and implemented all HR-related systems and integrations, including the HR Information System (HRIS), Applicant Tracking System (ATS), timekeeping system, training platform, payroll module, performance management platform, background check site, benefit and retirement portals, leave management, expense reimbursement system, government reporting sites, and company intranet pages. Oversaw system selection, integration processes, and ongoing troubleshooting and maintenance to ensure seamless functionality, data accuracy, and compliance across all platforms, improving HR operations and employee experience.
- Improved operational efficiency in leading the team by creating workflows and SOPs for manual HR processes, identifying inefficiencies and gaps, and developing new processes to improve collaboration and efficiency. These workflows also streamlined the implementation of our new HRIS, UKG Ready, and helped identify areas for process automation.
- Revamped the recruiting process by implementing new workflows, automating key steps, communicating to stakeholders, and training managers, resulting in a more efficient process and an enhanced candidate experience.
- Managed employee benefits, workers' compensation, health and wellness programs, and 401(k) plans, while analyzing benefit trends and cost analyses to recommend changes or additions to existing programs. Coordinated company-wide open enrollment activities such as meetings with vendors, communication campaigns targeting employees and benefit orientations for new hires.
- Developed a job leveling rubric and benchmarking tools to help managers establish promotion paths and career development plans, fostering employee engagement and retention by aligning career growth with the Institute’s goals.
- Oversaw payroll processing functions, supervised and trained payroll team while providing ongoing guidance and support to ensure timely and accurate payroll execution.
- Created resources and provided manager training and support in developing and reviewing job descriptions to ensure accuracy and relevance in alignment with evolving roles within the Institute.
- Researched industry trends and benchmarking tools to inform compensation and performance strategies, analyzing compensation data, and recommending salary adjustments. Developed a promotion and reclassification process and trained and collaborated closely with managers to ensure competitive, equitable pay practices.
- Ensured HR compliance by staying current with legal updates, proactively recommending and creating policy changes to address the evolving needs of the rapidly growing business.
- Collaborated with other departments such as Finance and Legal, on special projects involving human resources matters. Handled sensitive employee and company information with highest level of confidentiality and discretion.
- Created detailed reports from the HRIS database on personnel activity, including hiring trends, turnover rates, and other key metrics, and presented on department metrics and agenda topics to executive leadership on a biweekly basis. Prepared presentations outlining proposed changes or enhancements to reward policies for executive management review.
- Advised on complex employee relations matters, including grievances, disciplinary actions, terminations, and performance management and ensuring compliance with legal and organizational standards.
- Developed the organizational structure for the Institute's affiliated UK entity, Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford, which served as the foundation for creating strategic hiring plans to support the entity’s growth and operations.
- Set up benefits, ensured accurate payroll processing, and maintained compliance for the HR department of the Institute's UK project, collaborating with consulting companies to develop and implement HR systems for the UK team, including leading the implementation of BambooHR as the HRIS, ensuring seamless integration with the Institute’s operations.
Human Resources Consultant
Confidential Start-Up Company
Palo Alto, CA
09.2020 - 01.2022
- Developed and revised the employee handbook for compliance.
- Consulted client on best practices in payroll and benefit administration to support candidate pipeline.
- Advised client on the administration of HR policies and procedures and in building HR infrastructure.
- Informed client on the mechanics of worker's compensation and best practices for managing workplace injuries.
Human Resources Consultant
Confidential Company
Menlo Park, CA
12.2019 - 01.2021
- Developed team handbook incorporating federal and state labor laws, prioritizing workplace safety, anti-discrimination, and grievance procedures, and to align with the company's culture.
- Recommended and led the implementation of HR software solutions for payroll, employee data management, performance tracking, training and recruitment to streamline operations.
- Managed all activities relating to the administration and maintenance of payroll, including payroll processing, out-of-state tax registrations and reporting, Form 5500, EEOC and ACA reporting.
- Directed and monitored benefit programs to guarantee adherence, affordability, market competitiveness, and fairness among employees.
- Created and managed employee onboarding and offboarding processes, enhancing organizational culture by ensuring a welcoming experience for new hires through a structured program and fostering supportive transitions for departing employees.
- Designed the performance management system and established frameworks for setting goals, measuring performance, and providing feedback, including regular performance appraisals and continuous development opportunities.
- Advised on how to scale HR processes as the company grows, ensuring the infrastructure can adapt to a larger workforce and more complex operational needs.
- Served as the Human Resources lead on the cross functional team for the transition project, building the HR infrastructure to support the Institute’s successful separation from the University, including developing the compensation and benefits framework and human resource management systems, ensuring seamless operations as an independent entity.
Human Resources Consultant
Applied StemCell, Inc. and ASC Therapeutics, Inc.
Milpitas, CA
08.2019 - 06.2020
- Led due diligence of the spin-off process with zero impact on business operations; crafted the company communications strategy to drive a successful separation while managing employee relations for employee retention
- Built the HR infrastructure for the new company by implementing HRIS, payroll, timekeeping system, vendor systems and the benefits program
- Created the Return-to-Work program for Covid-19 safety at the company
- Provided guidance and support on driving culture change within a new organization
- Advised client on the legality in hiring and terminating employees according to various circumstances; Consulted client on administering HR programs, policies and procedures
Human Resources Director
Applied StemCell, Inc.
Milpitas, CA
07.2018 - 08.2019
- Built the HR infrastructure from the ground up for 85 employees in a mature company
- Drove culture change in a fast-paced environment through increased collaboration between employees, management, and human resources; Created programs that increased touchpoints between all departments to improve upon team building
- Championed the overhaul of the compensation program, by participating in benchmarking, bringing all positions within market range, creating merit and bonus plans to drive engagement, and implementing a career ladder for employee growth and retention
- Restructured benefit programs to enable business goal of a flexible workforce and ability to attract talent
- Revamped the performance review process to align with business goals; Created a merit system based on key performance indicators that enforced team building, managerial accountability and managerial subject competencies
- Developed the commission and bonus plans to be aligned with business goals and to promote collaboration between the sales and service teams
- Avoided costly litigation and legal expenses by managing employee relations, in providing consistent guidance and support for successful resolution of complex employee relations issues; Led robust investigations and actions on employee complaints
- Reduced turnover significantly by implementing a company-wide recruiting process that allowed for a stronger evaluation model in hiring employees of the right fit for the company; trained all hiring managers and members of the hiring team
- Conducted a mass layoff across the company for business needs, within legal compliance measures and with proper documentation and appropriate communication initiatives
- Led the implementation and transition to a new HRIS, payroll and benefits platform which allowed for cost savings
- Built and directed employee onboarding and offboarding processes that enhanced cultural assimilation and morale
- Led change management activities for organizational design and business direction changes; implemented a consistent process for feedback and crafted communications to ensure employee engagement and to improve employee-manager relations
- Attended board meetings and prepared quarterly reports on HR metrics for the Board
- Created company policies and the employee handbook
- Managed all immigration sponsorships and applications, including J-1, B-1, H1-B, O-1, OPT and Green cards, with legal counsel
Director of Human Resources
Genemed Biotechnologies
South San Francisco, CA
01.2007 - 01.2015
- Built the HR infrastructure from the ground up for 45 employees
- Increased retention rate while maintaining high engagement and turnover at a rate of less than 5%
- Average tenure increased by over 150%
- Led culture change to a performance-based organization with an emphasis on teamwork building by developing HR programs and policies to provide an employee-oriented and high-performance culture
- Created and directed company-wide process of organization development that addresses issues such as compensation planning, superior workforce development, key employee retention, organization design, and change management
- Developed financial strategies with the CFO by estimating, forecasting and anticipating requirements, trends and variances concerning human resource, minimizing the impact of variances with corrective action plans; Implemented and maintained market-based competitive compensation strategies in the creation of the compensation plan
- Kept abreast of current legislation and make sure Company policies and procedures are compliant with employment laws and regulations; Created and maintained company handbook; Updated job knowledge by participating in conferences and educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations
- Designed and delivered HR training programs for managers and employees, such as performance management, employee development, change management and company policies and goals
- Identified and monitored the organization culture so that it supports the attainment of company goals and promotes employee satisfaction; Managed employee communications and feedback
- Coordinated and planned all internal and external company-related events; Led safety committee on a monthly basis and led 401k investment committee on a quarterly basis
- Conducted due diligence for a potential M&A
- Coordinated a mass layoff within legal compliance and facilitated appropriate communication and documentation procedures
Payroll Manager
Zymed Laboratories
South San Francisco, CA
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Developed the strategy for the company compensation plan to align with business goals and adhere to budgetary parameters
- Managed company bi-weekly payroll processes for 3 sister companies (130 employees); presented financial and budgetary reporting to the executive team
- Review and improve AP and payroll procedures to ensure effective internal controls; Respond to vendor and employee compensation inquiries on a timely basis
- Restructured and managed the benefits program to fit business needs and to attract more talent
HR Administrator and Payroll Specialist
Zymed Laboratories
South San Francisco, CA
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Led cross-functional team that coordinated a payroll and timekeeping transition process
- Processed company’s bi-weekly payroll; provided regular reporting to management
- Managed benefit administration including retirement plans, unemployment, and worker’s comp
- Created the monthly employee newsletter to drive employee communication and engagement
Human Resources Administrator
Zymed Laboratories
South San Francisco, CA
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Streamlined hiring and recruiting processes by structuring consistent practices; conducted new hire orientations and exit interviews
- Maintained and updated personnel records for accuracy and legal compliance
- Administered employee benefit plans; Liaison to employees for any benefit-related questions
- Planned and coordinated external and internal company events for 3 sister companies, increased employee participation by 60%
- Developed and interpreted HR related policies and procedures to be compliant with state and federal agencies including OSHA
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
The Paul Merage School of Business, University of California
Irvine, CA01.2007
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - English
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, CA01.2001
Skills
- HRIS management
- Talent acquisition
- Compensation structuring
- Policy development
- Workforce planning
- Payroll management
- Benefits administration
- Leadership coaching
Certification
- SPHR (Senior Professional Human Resources), Human Resources Certification Institute, 01/01/09
- SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional), Society of Human Resource Management, 01/01/15
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin)
Full Professional
Timeline
Senior Human Resources Manager
Ellison Institute
01.2021 - 02.2025
Human Resources Consultant
Confidential Start-Up Company
09.2020 - 01.2022
Human Resources Consultant
Confidential Company
12.2019 - 01.2021
Human Resources Consultant
Applied StemCell, Inc. and ASC Therapeutics, Inc.
08.2019 - 06.2020
Human Resources Director
Applied StemCell, Inc.
07.2018 - 08.2019
Director of Human Resources
Genemed Biotechnologies
01.2007 - 01.2015
Payroll Manager
Zymed Laboratories
01.2004 - 01.2005
HR Administrator and Payroll Specialist
Zymed Laboratories
01.2003 - 01.2004
Human Resources Administrator
Zymed Laboratories
01.2001 - 01.2003
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
The Paul Merage School of Business, University of California
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - English
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
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