CELESTE BLAKE LOCKE

• Provided human resources, recruiting services across a number of businesses across SC

• Worked with managers to achieve compliance with organizational policies, providing clarifying information and recommending necessary changes.
• Utilized compliance tools, corrective actions and identification of deficiencies to mitigate audit risks.
• Fostered positive work environment through comprehensive employee relations program.
• Processed employee claims involving performance issues and harassment.
• Facilitated onboarding sessions and on-the-job training for new hires, bolstering employee job position knowledge and skillset.
• Recruited top talent to maximize profitability.
• Structured compensation and benefits according to market conditions and budget demands.
• Developed comprehensive process for new hires and reviewed new hire productivity, optimizing onboarding effectiveness.
• Coordinated employee grievances and disputes in timely and professional manner by finding constructive solutions.
• Distributed employee engagement surveys to identify areas of improvement.
• Used technologically relevant digital systems to manage payroll and benefits programs.
• Discovered and resolved complex employee issues that affected management and business decisions.
• Maintained payroll and benefits for employees in various locations, minimizing financial discrepancies through detailed program management.
• Identified and implemented appropriate strategies to increase employee satisfaction and retention.
• Instructed senior leaders on appropriate employee corrective steps.
• Created and implemented forward-thinking initiatives to improve employee engagement.
• Maintained company compliance with local, state, and federal laws, in addition to established organizational standards.

• Oversee US HR practices, tactical and strategic functions, across multiple locations
• Responsible for Learning and development training initiatives/programs
• Collaborated with leadership to assess and improve policies across board.
• Enhanced team workflows and employee job satisfaction by coordinating communication between managers and employees.
• Developed and maintained relationships with recruitment agencies, industry professionals and government agencies for successful recruitment efforts.
• Coordinated technical training and personal development classes for staff members.
• Maintained confidential nature of employee and company proprietary and privileged information used or observed in course of performing job duties.
• Discovered and resolved complex employee issues that affected management and business decisions.
• Updated training processes by reviewing existing documentation, leveraging feedback from associates and working with legal and compliance teams.
• Managed full cycle of recruiting, hiring, and onboarding new employees.
• Created and implemented forward-thinking initiatives to improve employee engagement.
• Identified HR training needs and conducted training for employees and leadership while recommending approaches to effect continual improvements in business objectives, productivity, and within company to reach business goals.
• Conducted exit interviews with employees leaving company to gauge areas of success and opportunities for improvement.
• Recruited top talent to maximize profitability.
• Facilitated team-building activities and initiatives, improving collaboration and engagement.

• Sourced, selected and oversaw the implementation of a payroll/HRIS vendor for DeBeers Diamond Jewelers US, as well as benefit design and implementation inclusive of a retirement program.

Recruitment of entry, mid and senior level management, and Nexus Staffing for the following companies: Bridgewater Associates, Priceline.com, Stamford Hospital, FactSet

• Assisted with diversity and inclusion projects within Priceline.com
• Project management; Assist with implementation and transition to Workday HRIS system; maintenance of HRIS systems
• Employee Relations – assist in the employee appeals process
• Compensation analysis, performance management
• Training initiatives; Employee onboarding
• Update of mobility program
• Manage and administer LOA, FMLA, STD and LTD for approx.2100 employees including Canada
• Benefit presentations – new hire benefit orientation
• Review, process and reconcile provider bills; maintain vendor relationships
• Process multi-state payroll
• Employee communications regarding benefit plans/Open enrollment, HR engagements, company events
• Conducting informational sessions for benefits; Oversee and manage open enrollment
• Administration of benefit programs, enrolling, status change updates and verifications; Employee life cycle
• ACA testing and compliance as well as filing
• Working in systems: Workday, UltiPro, ADP EV5 and Workforce Now

• Managed HR/Benefits function supporting over 150 employees across three states
• Fielded employee inquiries related to insurance, pension plan, vacation, sick leave and employee assistance.
• Developed disaster and recovery strategy to prepare company for hazardous weather conditions, nuclear accidents and terrorist attacks.
• Reviewed and screened applicant resumes to identify qualified candidates.
• Developed and implemented onboarding and orientation programs for new employees.
• Developed and coordinated employee training programs to improve productivity and performance.
• Monitored employee attendance and performance, addressing issues in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Improved organizational filing systems for confidential employee records, resulting in improved accessibility and efficiency.
• Developed and maintained positive relationships with external vendors, insurance providers and benefits administrators to establish trust and rapport.
• Resolved employee complaints and grievances successfully through mediation and collaboration.
• Conducted workplace compliance training to reduce liability risks and operate effectively.
• Partnered with senior leadership to establish and develop corporate and HR policies and procedures.
• Assessed retention and recruitment trends; proactively recruited candidates through direct recruitment and internet mining; performed screening, interviewing, applicant assessment and presenting of candidates to Hiring Managers
• Assessed retention and created methods of employee engagement for increased morale and ROI
• Benefit Administration - Developed and maintained employee benefits programs and informed employees of benefits by studying and assessing benefit needs and trends; recommended benefit programs to management; directed processing of benefit claims; obtained and evaluated benefit contracts, led open enrollment; new hire benefit enrollment; answered any benefit inquiries
• Payroll Administration - Processed payroll for office of 100+; hourly and salaried employees, consultants, multi-state commission payments, medical deductions, wage garnishments, tax deductions
• Thru ADP Workforce and Paychex
• Created salary architecture for the company
• Created and maintained new hire and personnel files and entered them into Human Resources Information Systems, maintained and updated
• Improved productivity and employee satisfaction by leading development and launch of corporate intranet for all documentation, benefits access, and calendars
• Created and edited employee handbook; Created and implemented employee peer reward and recognition program
• Advocated for staff members, helping to identify and resolve conflicts.

• Administered policies and programs relating to all phases of human resources activity including HR planning, recruitment, training and development, employee performance evaluation and appraisals, firing processes, etc
• Reviewed benefits paperwork for accuracy and completeness.
• Analyzed training needs to design employee development and health and safety programs, conducting exit interviews to identify reasons for employee turnover, developing, administering and evaluating applicant tests
• Located providers for employee medical, dental and life.
• Created detailed job description library for organization and maintained relevance with regular updates..
• Demonstrated high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
• Assisted with design and implementation of various employee benefits programs.