Georgette Russell

This role involves managing the CMU CMED Faculty and Staff Affairs (CMED FSA) office. Responsibilities include supervising and mentoring staff, ensuring proper staffing levels, and maintaining effective processes. The position focuses on improving business procedures through technology and serves as a subject matter expert and consultant to CMU CMED managers and executive leadership. This involves addressing faculty and staff issues, optimizing staffing plans, and interpreting HR policies. The role also encompasses overseeing faculty appointment processes, onboarding, policy development, and maintaining personnel records. Additionally, it plays a key role in addressing employee relations issues and collaborates with various university functions. As a member of the CMU CMED management team, this role participates in special projects, committees, and represents the CMU CMED in faculty and staff services operations.

This role involves working closely with managers to understand the organization's business strategies, competitive challenges, and HR needs. It requires a holistic approach to HR systems and processes within the business context. The responsibilities include conducting regular meetings with business units, providing guidance on various HR aspects such as workforce planning, compensation, and development needs. The role also involves developing and delivering organizational development programs and leadership training.

In addition, this position deals with complex employee relations issues, collaborating with the System Manager of Employee Relations. It requires effective communication and interpersonal skills to inspire commitment, resolve conflicts, and guide individuals toward achieving organizational goals. Day-to-day performance management, legal compliance, and facilitating communication and reporting for staff are also part of the role.

Furthermore, the individual must work closely with operational leaders, understand financial metrics and business operations, and demonstrate the impact of HR strategies on the business unit's financial performance. They also play a role in ensuring data accuracy and timeliness, as well as actively participating in union negotiations and grievance resolution for relevant business units.

As an executive responsible for the operations of multiple departments, including Human Resources, Benefits & Wellness, Plant Operations, Linen Services, Food & Nutrition Services, and more, your role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. You are a member of the Hospital Executive Committee and play a pivotal role in various areas:

Leadership Development: You facilitate learning and teaching opportunities for leaders and emerging leaders. Your focus is on designing and managing a comprehensive leadership development system that combines non-classroom experiences with classroom training.

Training and Development: You work with internal and external subject matter experts to design and deliver effective learning activities, following adult learning principles. Training programs cover management/supervisory development, coaching, counseling, team building, and dispute resolution.

LEAN Process Improvement: You are responsible for teaching and implementing LEAN process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.

Arbitration: You act as an arbitrator on policy, wage and salary, employee relations, and benefit disputes and grievances.

Organizational Rewards and Recognition: You oversee organizational rewards and recognition programs to motivate and acknowledge employees.

Human Resources Management: You have a comprehensive role in HR, including benefits, compensation, employment, labor relations, and workers' compensation. Ensuring regulatory compliance with various regulations, including PPACA, Welfare and Cafeteria plans, HIPAA, and retirement plan regulations, is a key aspect of your role.

Employee Wellness: You successfully implemented an employee wellness program with high participation rates.

Strategic Planning: You are responsible for HR, Benefits, and Wellness strategic planning, manpower planning, succession planning, policy development, problem resolution, performance monitoring, and program development.

Leadership and Guidance: You provide leadership and guidance to other executives, managers, and staff in areas like employee relations, corrective action, LEAN process improvement, Just Culture, Employee Engagement, Accountability, and Leadership.

Financial Responsibility: You are fiscally responsible for budgets exceeding 6 million dollars, covering personnel, operating expenses, and capital.

Policy Development: You develop, maintain, and update HR, benefits, and administrative policies and procedures.

Regulatory Compliance: Your role involves implementing key regulations related to PPACA as they pertain to employee health, wellness, and benefit plans.

Your role plays a crucial part in the operational turnaround of the organization, and your extensive knowledge of labor, employment, and benefit law, including PPACA, is instrumental in ensuring compliance and success in various areas.

As a member of the Hospital Executive Committee with a focus on Human Resources, your role is pivotal in various aspects of HR management and leadership:

Leadership and Guidance: You provide leadership and guidance to other executives, managers, and staff within the organization.

HR Management: Your responsibilities include planning, organizing, and directing all aspects of Human Resources. This encompasses benefits, compensation, employment, employee and labor relations, workers' compensation, and employee health.

Strategic Planning: You are responsible for HR strategic planning, which includes manpower planning, development, succession planning, policy development, opportunity analysis, problem resolution, performance monitoring, and program development.

Budget Management: You have fiscal responsibility for the Employee Benefit/Pension program budget, which amounts to approximately $5.7 million annually. This includes both operating expenses and capital. Additionally, you oversee the HR departmental budget, which is approximately $450,000, covering operating expenses and capital.

Benefits and Compensation: You maintain competitive benefit, pension, and compensation plans, ensuring that they align with the organization's needs and goals.

Plan Document Maintenance: You update and maintain accurate plan documents for the Cafeteria Plan, Welfare Benefit Plan, and Pension Plan.

Arbitration: You act as an arbitrator on policy, wage and salary, and employee relation disputes, helping to resolve issues within the organization.

Communication: You are responsible for communicating compensation and benefit programs to executives, managers, and staff, ensuring that they are well-informed about these programs.

Recruitment: Your role encompasses responsibility for all recruitment activities within the organization, playing a key part in acquiring and retaining talent.

Your role combines strategic HR planning with budget management, policy development, and dispute resolution. You play a vital role in shaping the organization's HR policies, ensuring competitive benefits and compensation, and providing leadership to the HR department and the broader staff.

In your role, you have several responsibilities related to benefits administration, compliance, and HR operations:

Benefits Plan Documents: You are responsible for maintaining accurate plan documents for all benefits, including Tax Sheltered Annuity, Pension, and Flex 125 Cafeteria Plan.

Retirement Plans: You administer retirement plans, including 403(b) and 401(a) plans, in accordance with the plan documents.

Open Enrollments: You plan and implement open enrollments, allowing employees to select or modify their benefits.

Insurance Liaison: You act as a liaison with insurance carriers, addressing employee concerns or questions related to their benefits.

Employee Terminations: Your role involves processing employee terminations, managing the administrative aspects of offboarding.

Leave Programs: You administer Leave of Absence and Family and Medical Leave programs for both non-union and union members, ensuring compliance with union contracts, federal, and state laws when applicable.

COBRA Administration: You manage COBRA administration, ensuring compliance with federal laws regarding continuation of benefits for eligible individuals.

Employment and Unemployment Verification: You handle employment and unemployment verifications for employees when necessary.

Tuition Assistance Program: You administer the tuition assistance program for both non-union and union members, ensuring that eligibility requirements are met.

Membership Collection System: You maintain the BCBC (presumably Blue Cross Blue Shield) Membership Collection System.

New Hire Orientation: You facilitate new hire orientation, ensuring that employees are familiar with the organization's policies and procedures.

Policy Compliance: You play a role in ensuring that policies and procedures remain up to date and compliant with federal and state laws.

Wage Information: You maintain and update wage information in accordance with policy and union contracts, including conducting salary surveys.

Your role is critical in managing benefits, compliance, and HR operations, and you serve as a key point of contact for employees regarding their benefits and related concerns.