Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Volunteer Interests
Timeline
Generic

Darlene Harper

San Francisco,CA

Summary

Vice President/Head of Human Resources collaborating with executive teams to facilitate organizational growth and execution of mission-impacting initiatives. Excel at building HR departments from the ground up, instituting standards and best practices, improving efficiencies, driving down costs, and reinforcing culture of accountability through effective performance management. Commended for genuinely caring about employees and striving to create workplaces that promote high engagement and both professional and personal growth while concurrently meeting corporate and budgetary constraints. Leverage numerous organizational, leadership, and HR certifications to help managers become better leaders.

  • Building HR Operations: Created and ramped HR departments for startup, pre-IPO, and high-growth operations, developing policies and introducing best practices in recruiting, onboarding, and total compensation while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Driving Cost Savings: Brought recruitment in-house at multiple companies, decreasing costs from 30% to 45% and reducing time to fill positions. Achieved cost savings of 35% while increasing headcount 50% for rapidly growing pharmaceutical company.
  • Leading International Initiatives: Spearheaded standardization of compensation and benefits for international employees and expatriates across offices in six countries while achieving compliance with General Data Privacy Regulations (GDPR). Opened offices in South America, Germany, UK and Singapore to expand company footprint.
  • Implementing Technology: Reduced costs an average of 40% and increased efficiency and effectiveness in managing HR processes by implementing HRIS solutions.
  • Positioning HR Leaders for Success: Served as instructor for the Senior Professional HR Certification (SPHR) for five years.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience
9
9

Certifications

Work History

Vice President, Human Resources

DARK HORSE CONSULTING GROUP, Inc.
11.2021 - 11.2023
  • Developed and executed human resource strategy in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of the global organization, specifically in areas of organizational development, talent acquisition and management, performance management, training and development and compensation philosophy and execution
  • Established a culture of excellence, trust, and innovation, enabling our worldwide employees to be motivated, engaged, and aligned with our vision.
  • Through collaboration with the leadership team, clarified core values, then designed and implemented a new system that directly integrated these values, resulting in exceeding corporate goal for employee engagement and retention.

Interim Head of Human Resources

DARLENE HARPER, LLC
10.2018 - 11.2021
  • Served as Interim Head of Human Resources with various organizations, partnering with business leaders on strategic and operational initiatives to improve organizational performance, talent acquisition, and total rewards.
  • Oversaw the HR function, working with business leaders on process improvement initiatives while ensuring regulatory compliance.
  • Enhanced the talent acquisition process and implemented an applicant tracking system, doubling head count through an effective and efficient recruitment process.
  • Influenced improved retention of new hires by introducing a new onboarding and orientation process.
  • Promoted organizational development through team building activities utilizing Myers-Briggs to improve communications and collaboration across R&D and manufacturing teams.
  • Partnered with executive team and external consulting firm to update equity program post-IPO.

Head of Human Resources

QUANERGY SYSTEMS
10.2017 - 10.2018
  • Hired to build the HR organization for the pre-IPO stage, rapidly growing technology company offering an AI-powered LiDAR platform
  • Served as Senior HR Business Partner to department heads while staffing and leading HR team and managing remote offices with employees in multiple states and foreign countries.
  • Collaborated with executive team and Board on redesign of total reward plans, conserving the equity of stock options while maintaining competitiveness.
  • Realized an average of 30% decrease in costs through development of a scalable recruitment process that improved efficiency and time-to-hire.
  • Created and delivered organizational development programs that included career building, coaching, and feedback designed to positively impact retention and morale.
  • Achieved 98% success on first submission of immigration and work visas for employees and multiple hires.

Senior HR Consultant

Darlene Harper, LLC
10.2016 - 10.2017
  • Filled HR leadership gaps, providing strategic and day-to-day functional HR support.
  • Created dual career ladder for scientific and nonscientific roles and gained approval from executive team.
  • Orchestrated data submission for compensation benchmarking and data consolidation for Total Rewards Statement Project.
  • Facilitated year-end HR processes, including open enrollment, performance evaluations, and goal setting.

Head of Human Resources

BIOELECTRON
10.2015 - 10.2016
  • Hired into newly created position to build and manage the HR department
  • Broad role serving as Senior HR Business Partner while managing all HR functions and activities.
  • Brought all recruiting in-house, improving effectiveness and delivering 65% in savings. Hired and onboarded 30+ employees in one year, including software engineers, database engineers, and data scientists.
  • Revised benefit plans based on competitive benchmarking, participated in compensation survey, and positioned company to better compete for technical talent in the Bay area.
  • Conducted full audit of departmental practices associated with equity, compensation, and benefits, collaborating with finance department to prepare for post-IPO SPX requirements.

Head of Human Resources

ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2015 - 10.2015
  • Transitioned to member of the executive team for the commercial pharmaceutical
  • Served as business partner providing HR expertise and managing all HR functional areas.
  • Lowered benefit package costs 25% by implementing high-deductible option with partial self-insurance that continued to provide good healthcare coverage while improving employee retention.
  • Completed certification and delivered Situational Leadership Training to help leaders better respond to employee issues and minimize micromanagement.
  • Delivered positive outcomes as company representative on government audits and employee relations claims.

Director, Human Resources and Senior HR Business Partner

ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2012 - 01.2015
  • Promoted to lead key HR initiatives and continue partnering with department heads in improving organizational performance and effectiveness
  • Managed remote workforce, keeping HR team engaged and focused.
  • Built teamwork through facilitation of Myers Briggs debriefing sessions for new managers and employees to help revitalize and reenergize teams after extensive downsizing.
  • Improved employee morale 25% as measured by manager reports and unsolicited feedback by increasing employee activities and launching new recognition and community-based mentoring programs.
  • Decreased annual hiring costs 40% and time-to-hire with more efficient screening process.
  • Utilized employee relations and problem-resolution skills while guiding staff through sensitive investigations, including manufacturing quality audit, and ensuring adherence to company and regulatory requirements.

Associate Director, Human Resources and Senior HR Business Partner

ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2009 - 01.2012
  • Drove change in mindset across the organization through introduction of the business partner model positioning HR for a more strategic role in managing the business and driving performance improvement.
  • Conceptualized and built a robust dual-ladder career development program that clarified behaviors and steps for progression, facilitated career discussion from initial onboarding, and led to 15% increase in retention.
  • Piloted mentoring program for manufacturing and engineering teams that participants considered high value.
  • Cut costs 25% through implementation of AI for applicant tracking, performance evaluation (SuccessFactors), and HRIS (Ultimate Software).

Senior Manager, Human Resources

ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2006 - 01.2009
  • Instrumental to successful IPO, collaborating with finance on HR due diligence and SOX compliance.
  • Project manager for multiple headcount reductions and key influencer in developing strategies for retention, engagement, and wellness of remaining employees.

Manager, Human Resources

ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS
04.2005 - 01.2006
  • Recruited to provide HR support to growing startup and quickly promoted to lead strategic and tactical initiatives.
  • Created and implemented first company new hire orientation, onboarding, and diversity programs.

Senior Manager, Staffing and Senior HR Business Partner

ABBVIE
Santa Clara
09.2001 - 04.2005
  • Successfully managed Global recruiting, slashing costs by 54% and reducing open requisition time by 30% while increasing candidate pool
  • Created and implemented a standardized contract for all California sites reducing average recruiting fee from 30% to 20%, with six-month, money-back guarantee, and resume ownership after o
  • Sr. HR Business Partner for large Medical Device Manufacturing Facility
  • Facilitated HR functions in shared service model as liaison between headquarters and employees in large California manufacturing facility.

Education

BS - Organizational Behavior

UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO

Skills

  • Strategic HR Planning
  • International Business
  • Pre- and Post-IPO Preparedness
  • Labor and Employment Law
  • HR Process and Policy Development
  • Talent Acquisition and Retention
  • Talent and Performance Management
  • Total Rewards and Recognition: Compensation and Benefits
  • HR and Business Partnerships
  • Leadership Development
  • Employee Relations
  • Employee Engagement
  • Diversity and Inclusion (D&I)

Affiliations

  • Past President/Treasurer, National HR Association of Silicon Valley (NHRA) (Current)
  • Former Chairperson, Silicon Valley Chapter Northern California HR Association (NCHRA)
  • Member, Bay Area HR Executive Council (BAHREC)
  • Member, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
  • Member, Women in Bio

Certification

  • Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification (SPHR-CA)
  • Senior Certified Professional SHRM Certification (SHRM-SCP)
  • Global Professional HR Certification (GPHR)
  • ADP StandOut Assessment Debrief
  • Crucial Conversations
  • Generative Leadership Coaching Certification-New Ventures West
  • Mediation and Dispute Resolution
  • Situational Leadership I and II Instructor
  • Myers-Briggs Instructor

Volunteer Interests

  • Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA): Advocate for an abused and neglected child in foster care; the one consistent and caring adult in a life full of uncertainty and endless change.
  • Love the outdoors - Paddle boarding at sunrise in San Francisco, biking, kayaking, hiking, and skiing.

Timeline

Vice President, Human Resources

DARK HORSE CONSULTING GROUP, Inc.
11.2021 - 11.2023

Interim Head of Human Resources

DARLENE HARPER, LLC
10.2018 - 11.2021

Head of Human Resources

QUANERGY SYSTEMS
10.2017 - 10.2018

Senior HR Consultant

Darlene Harper, LLC
10.2016 - 10.2017

Head of Human Resources

BIOELECTRON
10.2015 - 10.2016

Head of Human Resources

ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2015 - 10.2015

Director, Human Resources and Senior HR Business Partner

ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2012 - 01.2015

Associate Director, Human Resources and Senior HR Business Partner

ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2009 - 01.2012

Senior Manager, Human Resources

ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2006 - 01.2009

Manager, Human Resources

ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS
04.2005 - 01.2006

Senior Manager, Staffing and Senior HR Business Partner

ABBVIE
09.2001 - 04.2005

BS - Organizational Behavior

UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO

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