Ceryta Lockett
Austin,TX
Summary
Human Resources professional with proven track record of driving organizational success through strategic HR initiatives and talent management. Strong focus on team collaboration, measuring and analyzing results, and adapting to changing needs. Expertise in employee relations, recruitment, performance management, and compliance. Known for excellent communication skills, reliability, and fostering positive workplace culture.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Resources Director
Premier Political Consulting
05.2023 - Current
- Participated in budgeting and strategy around timing of hiring.
- Standardized HR processes for increased efficiency and improved service delivery.
- Maintained company compliance with local, state, and federal laws, in addition to established organizational standards.
- Established new employee benefits negotiated with vendors and administered enrollment and participation.
- Oversaw annual performance review process, providing guidance to managers on setting goals and measuring employee progress.
- Managed benefits administration, ensuring cost-effective coverage options for employees while staying within budget constraints.
- Championed change management projects, effectively communicating new policies or processes throughout the organization.
- Developed comprehensive training programs, resulting in higher employee satisfaction levels and performance improvements.
Chief of Staff, Chief Operating Officer
Texas Democratic Party
03.2013 - 03.2023
- Managed a multi-million dollar budget, with revenue growing by double digits per election cycle
- During the last two years, oversaw $25 million in receipts and disbursements from multiple revenue streams and partners, while coordinating with stakeholders and remaining in legal compliance
- Oversaw the recordkeeping operations associated with three different political committees (one federal and two state of Texas committees) and produced all campaign finance reports required by law
- Managed an Operations team that oversaw the state convention, a $7 million mail program, joint fundraising agreements with more than ten campaigns, and national partner and vendor relationships
- Created and managed a system to source, hire and facilitate an organization-wide ramp up of employees and benefits from 15 to more than 300, while coordinating with national and statewide partners; created and managed systems of onboarding and offboarding
- Centralized hiring and onboarding practices across all departments and partners, fielding thousands of potential job candidates and providing filters and support
- Created systems to standardize operations for up to 300 employees including banking, 150 vendor relationships, email and cybersecurity, human resource best practices, and facilities management
- Negotiated and coordinated an office move, including conducting an extensive commercial real estate search and securing a 50% expansion in office capacity
- Oversaw the renovation of the office, including ADA compliance
- Implemented the first collective bargaining agreement signed by the state party, adding new payroll and PTO requirements and covering more than 70 employees
- Sat on the Labor Management Relations Council, which met monthly to discuss ongoing labor issues
- Worked to negotiate a separate collective bargaining agreement with a different class of employees
- Coordinated existing policies and the renewal of the first CBA to conform to the additional labor relationship
- Created a new organizational structure and chart to more effectively use existing human resources, adapting staff to necessary roles and reassigning when deemed beneficial
- Heard and tracked all human resource issues, complaints and assisted managers in taking appropriate action
- Oversaw event planning, including four statewide conventions with attendance between 8,000-15,000 participants, and regular fundraising and activist events
Office Manager
Texas Tribune
10.2009 - 02.2013
- Designed standardized systems for a start up publication including accounts payable and receivable, donation processing, payroll for 25 staff with consistent growth, financial reporting for the Board of Directors, grant requirements, and tax preparation and audit
- Assisted with the production of the first Texas Tribune Festival, which attracted more than 10,000 attendees
- Provided assistance with regular, weekly Tribune events
- Produced a weekly column summarizing important news stories around the state
- Created and managed the intern program, creating a pipeline of journalists with Capitol reporting experience
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts, Business, French
Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TexasSkills
- HR policies implementation
- Onboarding process
- Employee relations
- Compensation and benefits
- Payroll coordination
- Recruitment strategies
- Grievance handling
- Human resources operations
- Training programs
- Labor relations
- Benefits administration
- Workforce planning
- Career pathing
Timeline
Human Resources Director
Premier Political Consulting
05.2023 - Current
Chief of Staff, Chief Operating Officer
Texas Democratic Party
03.2013 - 03.2023
Office Manager
Texas Tribune
10.2009 - 02.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts, Business, French
Stephen F Austin State University
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