Leigh Erin Hale
Knoxville,TN
Summary
Over the past 15 years of my professional career, I have consistently demonstrated my expertise in developing and implementing effective HR policies, ensuring compliance with regulatory procedures, providing guidance and support, and actively engaging in talent acquisition and retention efforts. Currently, I excel in supporting 90 hotels by implementing strategic human resources initiatives focused on compliance, retention, tactical strategies, employee relations, and development. My dedication to fostering a positive work environment and driving organizational success has resulted in significant improvements and outcomes in these areas.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Human Resources
Extended Stay Hotels, LLC
11.2021 - Current
- Coordinated and worked with management on performance evaluations, supervisory practices, dispute resolution, and employee accountability.
- Designed and implemented employee engagement strategies to improve morale, retain talent and maintain business continuity.
- Provided guidance to district managers to implement strategies for short-and-long-term business needs.
- Implemented behavioral performance management system to define expectations and identify areas for improvement.
- Structured compensation and benefits according to market conditions and budget demands.
- Collaborated on hiring and training of new employees, professional growth of staff and team building and motivation.
- Maintained company compliance with local, state, and federal laws, in addition to established organizational standards.
- Maintained optimal staffing levels by tracking vacancies and initiating recruitment and interview processes to identify qualified candidates.
- Participated at strategic and operational level to develop and strengthen human resources services, relationships and mission.
- Educated employees on company policy and kept employee handbook current.
- Recommended appropriate resolutions to employee relations concerns and handled disciplinary issues and investigations of misconduct.
- Conducted investigations and assisted with handling employee complaints involving Affirmative Action and EEOC to promote equitable workplace.
- Coordinated and engaged with leadership in planning and organizing calendars, events and activities.
- Directed hiring and onboarding programs for new employees.
- Fostered cross-functional relationships to connect managers and employees and improve overall efficiency.
- Processed employee claims involving performance issues and harassment.
- Evaluated human resources structure and plan for continual improvement and offered individuals professional and personal growth opportunities.
- Collaborated with stakeholders across organization to maintain proper flow of communication and execution of planned initiatives and projects.
- Spearheaded shared governance and collaboration on employee relations, HR administration, collective bargaining agreements and related HR topics.
Human Resources Business Partner
Extended Stay Hotels, LLC
06.2020 - 11.2021
- Conducted exit interviews with employees leaving company to gauge areas of success and opportunities for improvement.
- Resolved understaffing issues, disputes, employee terminations, and disciplinary procedures.
- Promoted and enabled necessary changes to align operations with strategic plans.
- Managed full cycle of recruiting, hiring, and onboarding new employees.
- 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.
- Advised senior management on organizational development and change management initiatives.
- Conducted employee surveys and interviews to evaluate employee engagement and job satisfaction levels.
- Collaborated closely with internal teams to develop and implement successful human resources systems and processes.
- Collaborated with leadership to assess and improve policies across board.
- Facilitated team-building activities and initiatives, improving collaboration and engagement.
- Investigated and liaised with legal department to respond to complaints of harassment, discrimination, employee grievances, and other sensitive issues and prepared position statements for EEOC.
- Worked with managers to achieve compliance with organizational policies, providing clarifying information and recommending necessary changes.
- Created and implemented forward-thinking initiatives to improve employee engagement.
Regional Director of Talent Engagement
BIMBO BAKERIES USA
08.2018 - 06.2020
- Center Of Implementation Talent and HR (Relocated to TN)
- Originally tasked to a team set up a Centralized Recruiting Model for USA Operations
- Implemented training model for centralized HR and Recruiting through the Center of
- Implementation, COI, team
- Facilitated in the standardization of interviewing and hiring for USA operations
- Created KPI's and processing for recruiting
- Helped create a succession planning format for roles inside the bakeries and sales centers as part of development
- Worked with local leaders to identify emerging talent to cultivate into leadership or vocational roles for higher retention
- Coordinated with local technical schools and learning programs for a Continued Education Program
- Provided training and support to the South region for all COI initiatives
- COI initiatives spanned from talent engagement, retention, compensation, Union relations, grievance/ employee relations issues, and training
- As part of the COI, for the South Region, was to the point of contact for HR policies and resources
- Worked directly with local leaders with employee relation issues/grievances and talent development plans
- Assisted local leadership teams with support on state and federal compliance, performance management, retention, and staffing patterns
- Various roles on special projects regarding Engagement; i.e
- New Hire Culture Coaches, Onboarding (with Learning & Development), D&I
- Worked with HRBPs on field engagement and appreciation activities
- Workforce consisted around 1600 employees across 7 states; 27 sales centers and 16 bakeries.
Regional Recruiter
Extended Stay Hotels
06.2015 - 06.2018
- Collected and analyzed HR data on recruitment activities
- Created mechanisms to increase employee participation in the Employee
- Developed and implemented plans to improve recruitment process.
- Satisfaction Survey and measuring the Employee Satisfaction Index for the initiatives such as Induction/Onboarding, Campus Recruitment, interviewing, etc
- Worked with field management to ensure understanding of current and future workforce needs
- Provided leadership, vision and guidance to the talent acquisition team with an innovative and resourceful approach
- Developed core talent acquisition plans and strategies in partnership with HR leadership
- Implemented key Talent Management initiatives i.e
- Performance management, promotions, competency development, High Potential identification & deployment, rewards & recognition, career planning, etc
- Communicated policies, business & HR updates, and other organizational developments through one-on-one connect, Town Halls, Open Houses, etc
- Owned, drove, and tracked the success of Employee Engagement & Integration initiatives and various community involvement initiatives
- Monitored and analyzed attrition
- Directed recruitment activities including but not limited to: advertising, campaigns, job fairs, sourcing, and social media efforts to ensure the best selection creatively, efficiently and economically
- Responsible for supporting recruitment programs including: Affirmative Action, Diversity & Inclusion, Intern and alternative talent pipelines
Onboarding Specialist Manager
CONVERGYS
04.2013 - 06.2015
- Track, record, and publish hiring metrics on a weekly basis
- Scheduled and coordinated interviews with executives and staff
- Facilitated on-boarding of new employees
- Maintained the list of open job requisitions and actively source
- Worked with the VP of HR and hiring managers to negotiate candidate compensation
- Leveraged the use of our ATS and other talent acquisition tools and platforms, including social media, employee referral programs, lead generation sources, and professional associations
- Provided HR guidance and support to the organization across areas including: talent management, employee development, performance management and employee relations, conflict management
- Support and supervise all aspects of employee life cycle including onboarding, employee recognition and engagement programs, and offboarding
- Facilitated and continuously improved upon employee on boarding processes and programs, including New Hire Orientation and individualized training programs by role
- Conducted employee relations operations, such as: internal investigations, data audits within HRIS, assist with writing performance improvement plans, etc
- Supported managers and employees on inquires relating to HR policies and procedures
- Performed HRIS administration, report building (employee, hiring - skills, cycle, demographic, diversity etc.), and data interpretation
- Lead and help develop cultural programs and practices that enhance and enrich the culture
- Assisted with development and deployment of employee career development and training programs, including training tracking and impact measurement
- Executed employee engagement surveys including analysis and action planning to drive improvements
Branch Manager and Human Resources Generalist
Plus
12.2011 - 08.2013
- Utilized a variety of sourcing methods to create a "ready-now" candidate pipeline to meet hiring needs, including but not limited to database mining, internet/web searches, direct sourcing, community organizations, networks and employee referrals
- Managed and created proactive talent pipelines in support of branch hiring initiatives
- Provided proactive, timely, cost-effective recruitment and screening of qualified candidates from sourcing through the hiring process
- Amended and posted job descriptions; sources applicants, screens resumes, interviews candidates and adjudicates background investigations; extends and negotiates offers letters
- Built relationships with management to develop & establish recruiting strategies to support multiple business units/departments or jobs templates, and performance management materials; maintained Company Handbook
- Acted as employee relations specialist; primary contact to counsel employees, supervisors and managers to resolve workplace issues
- Conducted effective, thorough and objective investigations when needed and respond to employee concerns
- Implemented and annually updated the compensation program; rewrote job descriptions as necessary; conducted annual salary surveys; analyzed compensation; monitored and managed the performance evaluation program and revises as necessary
- Managed company benefits (medical, dental, vision, ACA, 401K, voluntary plans
- COBRA, EAP, workers compensation)
- Managed company leaves and workplace accommodations
- Responsible for 401K audit
- Ensured company policy procedures prior to termination
- Prepared employee separation notices and related documentation
- Conducted exit interviews and oversaw offboarding process
Regional Human Resources Generalist
Abercrombie And Fitch Corporate
08.2008 - 12.2010
- Provided guidance to managers and employees on talent management, payroll, FMLA and benefits.
- Handled new-hire orientation and basic recruiting tasks for best-in-class talent identification.
- Met with staff to resolve difficult situations related to performance and conflict management.
- Implemented and supervised orientation procedures for new hires.
- Coached managers through employee engagement, documentation, discipline and performance improvement plans.
- Conducted career fairs, screened resumes and interviewed applicants to build candidate pipelines and enhance company culture.
- Developed and enforced company policy and procedures relating to human resources activity.
- Understood, interpreted and mediated human resources inquiries to support administration of human resources policies, procedures and programs.
- Conducted confidential investigations of discrimination, harassment and workplace violence.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business in Human Resources and Business
University of Phoenix
01.2011
Master of Arts - Human Resources And Business
University of Tennessee
05.2008
Skills
- Payroll Coordination
- Talent Review
- HR Strategy
- Strategy Development
- Remote Conferencing and Communication
- Human Resources Team Leadership
- Statistical Data Analysis
- Networking and Partnership Development
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Acquisition Integration
- Employee Retention
- Develop Policies
Timeline
Director of Human Resources
Extended Stay Hotels, LLC
11.2021 - Current
Human Resources Business Partner
Extended Stay Hotels, LLC
06.2020 - 11.2021
Regional Director of Talent Engagement
BIMBO BAKERIES USA
08.2018 - 06.2020
Regional Recruiter
Extended Stay Hotels
06.2015 - 06.2018
Onboarding Specialist Manager
CONVERGYS
04.2013 - 06.2015
Branch Manager and Human Resources Generalist
Plus
12.2011 - 08.2013
Regional Human Resources Generalist
Abercrombie And Fitch Corporate
08.2008 - 12.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Business in Human Resources and Business
University of Phoenix
Master of Arts - Human Resources And Business
University of Tennessee
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