HEATHER COHEN
New York
Summary
Accomplished CHRO with extensive experience in global talent management and operational leadership within the fashion industry. Proven ability to support executive teams and implement strategic initiatives that enhance employee engagement and productivity. Expertise in developing administrative policies and driving workforce planning to create high-performance teams. Notable success in collaborating across departments to achieve organizational goals and foster a positive work environment.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Human Resources
Printemps NY
New York
12.2024 - Current
- Leader of People Strategy for the first store in the US market and second international location across the globe.
- Responsible for talent acquisition, culture building and people-related activity for 220 colleagues (retail and food and beverage).
- In partnership with the CEO of New York, Printemps Executive team and the Kent Hospitality Group, oversee the realms of: Talent Acquisition, Succession Planning, Learning and Development, Employee Engagement and Operational Creation.
- Create and cultivate people function for commercial and operational business priorities and robust employee culture.
- Oversee all people strategy and operations for 55,000 square foot global flagship.
- Build and maintain evolving business models and client relationships with internal and external partners.
- Establish and maintain strategic efforts to support retention and continued employee engagement.
Director of Human Resources- North America
Breitling USA Inc.
07.2023 - 12.2024
- Leader of People Strategy for North America, responsible for talent acquisition, culture building and people-related activity for 300 colleagues.
- In partnership with the President of North America, oversee the realms of: Talent Acquisition, Succession Planning, Learning and Development, Sustainability Efforts, Employee Engagement and New Business Development.
- Cultivated engaged employee culture.
- Oversaw people strategy and operations for 40 retail locations (US owned boutiques and partner boutiques) and omni channel business.
- Lead people strategy and talent acquisition for 7 new boutique openings (Fall 2023 to Spring 2024).
- Build and maintain evolving business models and client relationships with internal and external partners.
- Establish and maintain strategic efforts to support retention and continued employee engagement.
Director of Human Resources- North America
Brunello Cucinelli
NY
08.2020 - 07.2023
- Leader of People Strategy and Commercial and Administrative Operations for North America, responsible for talent strategy and people-related activity for 300 colleagues.
- Owned all aspects of human capital operations including: Talent Acquisition, Succession Planning, Learning and Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Employee Relations, Sustainability Efforts, Employee Engagement in conjunction with President/CEO North America and Global team in Italy.
- Cultivated and maintain strong employee culture cultivating strategic partnerships and safe and productive workplace environment specifically navigating through COVID-19.
- Monitored and cultivate new policies for region to remain in compliance with evolving labor laws (ongoing and working through a pandemic).
- Oversaw all people strategy and operations for 40 retail locations (US and Canada) and omni channel business.
- Streamline efficiencies with technological tools, creation of HRIS, Learning Management System and internal portals.
- Build and maintain strategic initiatives surrounding employee engagement, evolving business models and client relationships.
- Establish and maintain strategic efforts to support retention and continued employee engagement.
- Created and developed onsite wellness clinic (weekly testing, vaccine administration, health and wellness) in the office/showrooms and across the retail locations.
- Sourced and launched Employee Assistance Program across all channels to maintain emotional and professional support during evolving times.
- Created and launched employee handbook with bespoke addenda to working through a pandemic and vaccination strategy.
- Sourced and executed a wellness program to enhance employee retention and foster engagement.
- Developed stand-out and competitive family leave policies for the United States and Canadian markets.
- Implemented diversity and inclusion workshops for employee population.
- Created and launched return to work operations program and strategy post COVID-19.
- Facilitated in successful conversion of 10 multibrand doors to retail concessions and 1 hospitality space with people resourcing, development and relationship building.
Vice President of Human Resources- North America
G-Star RAW
NY
02.2020 - 08.2020
- Leader of HR and Administrative Operations for North America, responsible for talent strategy and people-related function for 300 colleagues.
- Own all aspects of human capital operations including: Succession Planning, Learning and Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Employee Relations, Sustainability Efforts, Employee Engagement in conjunction with Global HR team in Amsterdam and CEO/GM of North America.
- Monitored and cultivated new policies for region to remain in compliance with evolving labor laws (ongoing and working through a pandemic).
- Established strong employee culture in both an office and remote settings by providing online learning, diversity and inclusion training, engagement activities and team building.
- Oversaw all people strategy and operations for 33 retail locations and omni channel business.
- Streamlined efficiencies with technological tools, creation of Learning Management System and internal portals.
- Created and launched employee handbook with bespoke addenda to working through a pandemic.
- Sourced and executed a wellness program to enhance employee retention and foster engagement.
- Developed stand-out and competitive family leave policies for the United States and Canadian markets.
- Implemented diversity and inclusion workshops for employee population.
- Created and launched return to work operations program and strategy post COVID-19.
Head of Human Resources- North America
Ted Baker London
NY
01.2012 - 01.2020
- Leader of HR and Administrative Operations for North America, responsible for talent strategy and people-related function for 900 colleagues.
- Owned all aspects of human capital operations including: Succession Planning, Learning and Development, Employee Relations, Compensation (development, implementation and analysis), Workforce Planning.
- Collaborate with N.A. Leadership and Board of Directors to maintain global brand culture and prioritize key initiatives for the growing market of 110 store locations, while managing team of 8.
- Facilitated development of talent and spearhead effective execution of performance appraisal process.
- Monitor and cultivate new policies for region to remain in compliance with evolving labor laws.
- Execute internal mobility and immigration processes for team members (VISAs, green cards, relocation).
- Oversaw all people strategy and operations for 10-30 store openings/year increasing the population by 30%.
- Launched Sales Commission & Incentive Programs resulting in the attainment of 35% of retail business goals.
- Chaired steering committee for delivery and integration of Microsoft Dynamics Ax System across functions.
- Sourced and executed a global wellness program to enhance employee retention and foster engagement.
- Designed and executed annual global engagement survey to workforce achieving a 88% completion rate.
- Developed stand-out and competitive family leave policies for the United States and Canadian markets.
- Launched global L&D programs to build product/client knowledge, business acumen and management skills.
Vice President of Human Resources
Elie Tahari LTD.
NY
01.2007 - 01.2012
- Served as the Head of HR, overseeing day-to-day and strategic Human Resource functions (recruitment, employee relations, succession planning, training and development, compensation) for 300 Retail and 600 Corporate employees.
- Led a team of 8 to execute talent management strategies for enhancing the business, profitability and employee succession plans.
- Spearheaded recruitment initiatives, performance appraisal process and summer internship programs.
- Created and continually updated policy manual and organizational procedures in compliance with evolving labor laws.
- Developed and facilitated management training seminars for store management biannual summits on business relevant topics (including: effective interviewing, employee retention and recruitment, and conflict management).
- Partnered with Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officers to establish well-balanced annual healthcare and retirement programs within fiduciary requirements.
- Luxury Designer & Retailer
Human Resources Supervisor
American International Group (AIG)
NY
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Led the Human Resources function supporting 600 employees within domestic claims area of insurance and financial services organization including: employee relations, recruitment, succession planning and training and development.
- Managed departmental budgets, quarterly headcount reporting along with payroll benefits.
- Global Finance & Insurance Co
Human Resources Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
NY
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Managed overall talent acquisition, learning and development and overall HR administration for Cosmetics, Intimate Apparel, Children’s, Bridal and Home and Gift Departments.
- Developed all procedures related to company personnel contributing to strategic business goals.
- Luxury Multi-Brand Store
Human Resources Generalist
Prada USA Corp.
NY
01.2001 - 01.2005
- Supported administration of various HR activities including onboarding and recruitment for 500 employees in corporate departments (Merchandising, Advertising, Public Relations, Sales, Marketing, Information Systems Technology, Finance).
- Luxury Fashion Brand
Corporate Communications Coordinator/Training and Development Coordinator
Ketchum
NY
01.1998 - 01.2001
- Developed communications and training programs from content and venues to logistical event details.
- Global Communications & Marketing Agency
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PASkills
- Talent acquisition and strategic HR
- Change management
- Diversity and inclusion
- Cost analysis and budgeting
- Planning and control
- P&L management
- Conflict resolution
- Cross-cultural management
- Employee relations
- Learning and development
- Total rewards programs
- Culture and engagement
- Organizational effectiveness
Personal Information
Title: HR EXECUTIVE & CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Websites
Core Capabilities
- Talent Acquisition
- Strategic Human Resources
- Change Management
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Cost Analysis, Planning & Control
- P&L Management & Budgeting
- Conflict & Negotiation
- Managing Cross-Culturally
- Employee / Labor Relations
- Learning & Development
- Total Rewards
- Culture & Engagement
- Organizational Effectiveness
Career Experience
- Head of Human Resources, Printemps NY, New York, NY, 12/01/24, Present, Leader of People Strategy for the first store in the US market and second international location across the globe., Responsible for talent acquisition, culture building and people-related activity for 220 colleagues (retail and food and beverage)., In partnership with the CEO of New York, Printemps Executive team and the Kent Hospitality Group, oversee the realms of: Talent Acquisition, Succession Planning, Learning and Development, Employee Engagement and Operational Creation.
- Director of Human Resources- North America, Breitling USA Inc., New York, NY, 07/01/23, 12/01/24, Leader of People Strategy for North America, responsible for talent acquisition, culture building and people-related activity for 300 colleagues., In partnership with the President of North America, oversee the realms of: Talent Acquisition, Succession Planning, Learning and Development, Sustainability Efforts, Employee Engagement and New Business Development.
- Director of Human Resources- North America, Brunello Cucinelli, New York, NY, 08/01/20, 07/01/23, Leader of People Strategy and Commercial and Administrative Operations for North America, responsible for talent strategy and people-related activity for 300 colleagues., Owned all aspects of human capital operations including: Talent Acquisition, Succession Planning, Learning and Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Employee Relations, Sustainability Efforts, Employee Engagement in conjunction with President/CEO North America and Global team in Italy.
- Vice President of Human Resources- North America, G-Star RAW, New York, NY, 02/01/20, 08/01/20, Leader of HR and Administrative Operations for North America, responsible for talent strategy and people-related function for 300 colleagues., Own all aspects of human capital operations including: Succession Planning, Learning and Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Employee Relations, Sustainability Efforts, Employee Engagement in conjunction with Global HR team in Amsterdam and CEO/GM of North America.
- Head of Human Resources- North America, Ted Baker London, New York, NY, 01/01/12, 12/31/20, Leader of HR and Administrative Operations for North America, responsible for talent strategy and people-related function for 900 colleagues., Owned all aspects of human capital operations including: Succession Planning, Learning and Development, Employee Relations, Compensation (development, implementation and analysis), Workforce Planning.
- Vice President of Human Resources, Elie Tahari LTD., New York, NY, 01/01/07, 12/31/12, Served as the Head of HR, overseeing day-to-day and strategic Human Resource functions (recruitment, employee relations, succession planning, training and development, compensation) for 300 Retail and 600 Corporate employees.
- Human Resources Supervisor, American International Group (AIG), New York, NY, 01/01/06, 12/31/07, Led the Human Resources function supporting 600 employees within domestic claims area of insurance and financial services organization including: employee relations, recruitment, succession planning and training and development.
- Human Resources Manager, Saks Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 01/01/05, 12/31/06, Managed overall talent acquisition, learning and development and overall HR administration for Cosmetics, Intimate Apparel, Children’s, Bridal and Home and Gift Departments.
- Human Resources Generalist, Prada USA Corp., New York, NY, 01/01/01, 12/31/05, Supported administration of various HR activities including onboarding and recruitment for 500 employees in corporate departments.
- Corporate Communications Coordinator/Training and Development Coordinator, Ketchum, New York, NY, 01/01/98, 12/31/01, Developed communications and training programs from content and venues to logistical event details.
Timeline
Head of Human Resources
Printemps NY
12.2024 - Current
Director of Human Resources- North America
Breitling USA Inc.
07.2023 - 12.2024
Director of Human Resources- North America
Brunello Cucinelli
08.2020 - 07.2023
Vice President of Human Resources- North America
G-Star RAW
02.2020 - 08.2020
Head of Human Resources- North America
Ted Baker London
01.2012 - 01.2020
Vice President of Human Resources
Elie Tahari LTD.
01.2007 - 01.2012
Human Resources Supervisor
American International Group (AIG)
01.2006 - 01.2007
Human Resources Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
01.2005 - 01.2006
Human Resources Generalist
Prada USA Corp.
01.2001 - 01.2005
Corporate Communications Coordinator/Training and Development Coordinator
Ketchum
01.1998 - 01.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Lehigh University