Charles E. Simmons
Summary
I am a passionate and experienced professional seeking a DEI and Employee Relations role in your company. I create an inclusive and equitable work environment. I champion diversity and promote a culture that values and respects individuals from all backgrounds and experiences. I am skilled in implementing initiatives and programs that enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and foster employee engagement and retention. I address employee concerns, mediate conflicts, and cultivate positive employee relations. I want to bring my expertise to your company by leveraging my expertise in DEI strategies, employee engagement, and conflict resolution to drive positive change and support the organization's mission and goals.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Benefits Eligibility Specialist
State of Connecticut, Social Services
New Haven, Connecticut
03.2018 - Current
- Implemented a more efficient customer intake system, reducing average call center wait time for benefit recipients from 2 hours to 20 minutes by working on a State Leadership team
- Revitalized benefits intake process to bring department into compliance and successfully avoiding a class-action lawsuit, saving $3.2 million
- 100% success rate in representing the department's eligibility determination process in pre-litigation hearings for denied applicants
- Ensured compliance with relevant employment laws and regulations by staying up to date with changing laws, such as the Affordable Care Act or Family and Medical Leave Act, and assisting in aligning company policies and benefits programs accordingly helping mitigate legal risks
- I maintained compliance, avoided penalties, and protected the rights of employees and clients with my knowledge of eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and auditing processes
- Provided personalized guidance to employees, answering questions, addressing concerns, and assisting with the enrollment and eligibility process, ultimately improving employee and client satisfaction and engagement
- Using my attention to detail, analytical skills, and ability to navigate complex policies, I developed a strong understanding of employee benefits programs, eligibility requirements, and administration processes leading to my ability to effectively manage open enrollment, handle employee inquiries, conduct internal audits and investigations and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
- Communicated with people from various cultures and backgrounds on application process.
- Trained staff on current eligibility requirements and policies.
- Built relationships with diverse stakeholders to achieve successful program implementation.
Chief Operating Officer/Senior Pastor
Latter Rain Church
Hamden, Connecticut
01.2018 - Current
- Serve as Chief Executive Officer overseeing vision, strategy, recruiting, operations, staffing and leadership development of faith-based organization's staff and members.
- Led a multi-year growth campaign to increase involvement and financial donations, resulting in a 500% increase in membership and a 12x increase in monthly donations.
- Delivered successful and streamlined full-cycle recruitment initiatives with 93% on target hire rate and a 20% reduction of recruiting time.
- Cultivated relationships between HR and other departments to ensure departmental alignment, enabling a 35% increase in employee satisfaction and productivity.
- Overhauled logistic processes by mapping out detailed organization system and services architecture, leading to 83% effciency gains.
- Partnered with other departments to best create and maintain sales forecast data.
- Developed quarterly business plans to evaluate cost projections.
- Refined organizational structure to consolidate, streamline, and delineate necessary functions.
- Aligned organizational objectives with company mission to increase business growth and integrate work strategies.
- Processed new hires, transfers, and separations.
- Delivered team member services and customized employee programs focused on optimizing labor relations and communications.
- Managed conflict resolutions to encourage professional and positive relationships and peace and order.
- Promoted employee welfare by maintaining proper protocols throughout investigations and disciplinary procedures.
Implementation Associate
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Wallingford, Connecticut
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Promoted to streamline the benefits implementation process, eliminating 80 work-hours per week and saving over $100,000 annually in expenses while managing competing priorities and having a successful delivery rate of 97%.
- Facilitated company training workshops on leadership and development.-Being skilled in public speaking, I was most sought after to effectively communicate complex information, engage audiences, and facilitate learning on product training sessions, company-wide presentations, and facilitate workshops to educate clients and aid in the onboarding of new employees. This included but not limited to presentations on company policies and procedures and workshops on leadership and development
- Aided in Payroll preparation and internal auditing for our department leading to 100% accuracy.
- Developed & tracked KPIs to monitor process performance, enabling the team to exceed lead scoring by 70% by ensuring attention to detail, project management and great organizational skills.
- Managed team calendar of 5 sales representatives, increasing efficiency by 45% and achieving a projected goal of over 25 additional leads each quarter.
- Organized project implementation resources and leveraged expertise to assist organizational rollout.
- Enhanced team workflows and employee job satisfaction by coordinating communication between managers and employees.
- Facilitated successful policy implementation and enforcement to maintain legal and operational compliance.
- Identified and implemented appropriate strategies to increase employee satisfaction and retention.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Theology
Christian LeadershipBible College
09.2009 - 2013.05
Diploma - HumanResources Management
Alison.com
Skills
Forecast and budgetingundefined
Certification
Foundation of Human Resources
Timeline
Benefits Eligibility Specialist
State of Connecticut, Social Services
03.2018 - Current
Chief Operating Officer/Senior Pastor
Latter Rain Church
01.2018 - Current
Implementation Associate
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
01.2013 - 01.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Theology
Christian LeadershipBible College
09.2009 - 2013.05
Diploma - HumanResources Management
Alison.com
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