Crystal Cook
QARAYAH PRODUCTIONS, LLC
Los Angeles,CA
1
Certification
20
years of professional experience
Dynamic HR professional with a proven track record in strategic human resource management, dedicated to optimizing employee performance and enhancing organizational effectiveness. Expertise in building cohesive teams and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, consistently aligning HR strategies with overarching business goals. Committed to recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent through strong partnerships with management teams, cultivating employee-centric cultures that boost morale and productivity. Recognized for exceptional interpersonal, coaching, and communication skills that inspire motivation and drive positive outcomes.
Work History
Senior Director, Human Resources
2 Years 10 Months- Design Learning & Development (L&D) programs for the organization, with a focus on management training
- Manage PEO RFPs
- Reduce voluntary turnover by 37%
- Ensure 100% state regulated compliance (including wage & hour, harassment and workplace violence training)
- Educated employees on company policy and kept employee handbook current.
- Designed and implemented HR policies aligned with business objectives and compliance regulations.
- Led organizational development initiatives to enhance employee engagement and retention strategies.
- Collaborated with executive leadership to align talent management strategies with overall business goals.
- Fostered cross-functional relationships to connect managers and employees and improve overall efficiency.
- Met with managers annually for progress reviews and ensure fair performance assessments.
- Optimized performance management processes to better align individual goals with company strategy and drive employee performance improvements.
- Motivated employees through special events, incentive programs, and constructive feedback.
- Manage Reduction in Force (RIF) activities
- Act as liaison with the PEO and outside counsel
- Collaborate with Global Employer of Record (EOR) to manage international talent.
- Delegate HR Business Partner (HRBP) responsibilities to a newly promoted HR Generalist.
- Manage acquisition activities and organizational integration
- Execute event planning including venue selection, themes, menus and booking talent
- Maintain responsibilities below after promotion in 2023
Director, Human Resources
1 Year 2 Months- Managed vendor relations and strategic planning in addition to all responsibilities listed below.
- Supported employees across the US, with offices in CA and CT.
- Secured CA Employment Training Panel (ETP) funding through the provider C3train.com.
- Promoted July 2022
Sr. HR Business Partner
8 Months- Managed and directed two HR Generalists, an HR Coordinator, and a Payroll Administrator.
- Oversaw onboarding, offboarding, leaves of absence, payroll, COVID-19 tracking/compliance, benefits enrollment/termination, etc.
- Maintained all responsibilities of the HR Business Partner role.
- Promoted November 2021
HR Business Partner
6 Months- Advised management and senior leadership.
- Coached and counseled employees and management.
- Conducted multi-state employee relations investigations (e.g., sexual harassment, bullying, misconduct).
- Performed weekly new hire orientations and in-person exit interviews.
- Directed process and procedure audits for accuracy and compliance and advised the Executive Director of HR when requested.
- Elevated survey scores for morale by 25%
HR Consulting Services
7 Months- Provided HR consulting services for a local cannabis cultivation and packaging facility.
- Consulted on new payroll system setup, payroll schedules, policies, procedures, compliance, and wage and hour issues.
- Ensured 100% compliance for startup.
Human Resources Director
1 Year 6 Months- Built strong employee relationships to ensure fairness, happiness, and compliance.
- Led organizational restructuring, strategic planning, and implementation.
- Managed and directed a team including a Payroll/Benefits Manager, HR Generalist, HR Coordinator, Recruiter, HR Administrative Specialist, and Office Manager.
- Streamlined operations to reduce costs and oversaw employee safety and wellness initiatives.
- Conducted workforce evaluation and development to ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
- Managed vendors, including brokers for Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
- Reduced turnover by 22%
Artist Manager/Publisher
12 Years 6 Months- Manages artist careers and executes executive producer duties.
- Submitscopyrights and lists compositions with the PRO (Performing Rights Organization) for over 200 original works.
- Ensures correct and complete royalty payments are tracked, received, and disbursed in a timely manner.
- Solicits musicians for band projects when necessary.
- Ensures all licenses and documentation are current and maintained and markets artists across platforms.
Human Resources Manager Roles
11 Years 11 Months- Managed, oversaw, and/or maintained all traditional, transactional, and transformational functions of multi-state HR as a one-person department or HR team leader.
- Ensured organizational compliance, including wage & hour regulations and employee file/documentation security.
- Reviewed, redlined, and/or drafted contracts and conducted negotiations for employment, benefits, terminations, and vendor relationships, including RFPs.
Education
Master of Arts - Music Industry Administration
Master of Science - Human Resource Management
Bachelor of Business Administration - Business Administration And Management
Skills
Coaching and mentoring
Performance management
Payroll/Compensation management
Benefit Administration
Compliance
Event Planning
Music Publishing
Space Planning/Logistics
Vendor management
Training & Development
PEO and HRIS Implementation and management
Employee Relations and Recognition
Succession Planning
Talent Acquisition
Budget management
Collaborative leadership
Team building and management
Policy development
Culture transformation
Organizational development
Policy implementation
Human resources management
Pipeline development
Strategic planning
Decision-making
Process improvement
Project and budget management
Contract negotiation and vendor management
Analytical thinking
Change management
Accomplishments
- Promoted three times in less than five years.
- Advocated for and implemented PEO change, saved 20% on benefit costs.
- Reduced wrongful termination lawsuits by 100%.
- Significantly reduced injuries and Workers' Compensation (WC) claims by 75%.
- Composed a one-page document resulting in a $214,000 (NEIT) Train the Trainer Grant from the Economic Development Commission.
- Created, implemented, and maintained organizational salary strategies and hourly pay scales.
- Created, reviewed, rewrote, or revised over 150 employee handbooks.
- Implemented, coordinated, and maintained a Work Release Program with the local Department of Corrections.
Certification
- SPHR, Senior Professional in Human Resources, HRCI (2017 – 2027)
- SHRM-CP, Certified Professional, Society for Human Resource Management (2015 – 2018)
- PHR, Professional in Human Resources, HRCI (2008 – 2015)
Timeline
Senior Director, Human Resources
PREMIERE DIGITAL SERVICES, LLC
09.2023 - CurrentRead More
Director, Human Resources
PREMIERE DIGITAL SERVICES, LLC
07.2022 - 09.2023Read More
Sr. HR Business Partner
PREMIERE DIGITAL SERVICES, LLC
11.2021 - 07.2022Read More
HR Business Partner
PREMIERE DIGITAL SERVICES, LLC
05.2021 - 11.2021Read More
HR Consulting Services
CWC CONSULTING
09.2019 - 04.2020Read More
Human Resources Director
DONOR SERVICES GROUP
01.2018 - 07.2019Read More
Artist Manager/Publisher
QARAYAH PRODUCTIONS, LLC
01.2014 - CurrentRead More
Human Resources Manager Roles
VARIOUS EMPLOYERS
02.2006 - 01.2018Read More
California State University, Northridge
Master of Arts from Music Industry Administration
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Strayer University
Master of Science from Human Resource Management
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Strayer University
Bachelor of Business Administration from Business Administration And Management
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Military
USAF, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE (Honorable Discharge)