Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Technology Skills
Timeline
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Jacari Polk

Irvine,CA

Summary

Executive HR and Operations expert, leveraging a proven track record of success, including the complete build-out of HR policies and functions from the ground up, securing significant efficiency and productivity wins, and managing the hiring and training of all employees from entry-level to the C-suite Achieved a 40% reduction in the company's annual travel and expenses budget by introducing a streamlined policy and system, optimizing both costs and employee resource allocation Successfully revised and updated the employee handbook within a year, ensuring alignment with evolving company needs and standards, rewriting over 96% of the content, and ensuring accurate and structured information Served as a liaison to the executive team, developed a comprehensive file audit framework for 1500+ employees, and achieved a 100% compliance rate on all training for managers and individual contributors Implemented HR programs within a startup environment, achieving a 47% increase in staff productivity and satisfaction based on internal surveys, improving employee engagement, and driving alignment with goals Elevated company efficiency by 48% by standardizing procedures and software enhancements for a 60-member team

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Consultant – HR

Ambry Genetics
01.2024 - 01.2025
  • Company Overview: Biotechnology
  • Drove Enterprise Engagement Strategy: Designed and led high-impact programs to strengthen culture, inclusion, and employee connection across all levels of the organization.
  • Modernized Onboarding & Early Talent Integration: Architected scalable onboarding solutions and internship experiences that enhanced assimilation, cross-team collaboration, and retention.
  • Elevated Internal Communications: Revamped HR communications strategy to drive clarity and engagement, resulting in a 44% increase in newsletter readership and improved message alignment across the enterprise.
  • Led Benefits & Well-Being Initiatives: Directed implementation and optimization of wellness and benefits programs, aligning offerings with employee needs and organizational cost-efficiency goals.
  • Ensured Compliance & Policy Integrity: Partnered with Legal to enforce compliant HR policies and deliver timely organizational updates to senior leadership.
  • Advanced Recognition & Performance Culture: Scaled recognition frameworks and IDP tools to reinforce performance development, departmental alignment, and employee motivation.
  • Informed Executive Decision-Making: Consolidated and presented employee engagement survey data, delivering actionable insights to inform leadership priorities and workforce strategy.
  • Championed Strategic HR Projects: Oversaw cross-functional initiatives to streamline processes, launch new platforms, and enhance the overall employee experience through innovation and operational excellence.
  • Biotechnology

Director of HR

Hanwha Impact Partners
01.2022 - 01.2023
  • Company Overview: Clean Energy
  • Established the entire HR function, including the implementation of key HR processes and systems, including the HRIS system, from the ground up, ensuring streamlined operations.
  • Achieved a 40% reduction in the company's annual travel and expenses budget by introducing a streamlined policy and system, optimizing both costs and employee resource allocation.
  • Successfully revised and updated the employee handbook, ensuring alignment with evolving company needs and standards, rewriting over 96% of the content, and ensuring accurate and structured information.
  • Introduced legal and compliance training platforms, ensuring sexual harassment training and compliance standards were met.
  • Developed structured onboarding and offboarding processes, improving the overall employee experience and HR efficiency.
  • Implemented a goal strategy program to align employee goals with company objectives.
  • Pioneered the development of multiple intersecting HR and operations management functions, systems, and controls from the ground up, ensuring regulatory compliance and alignment with executive strategies.
  • Championed effective talent sourcing, recruitment, and onboarding functions in accordance with best practices while also curating a positive and results-oriented workplace culture centered on collaboration and employee feedback.
  • Managed the hiring and onboarding of candidates from the entry-level to the C-suite, ensuring continual alignment and sourcing in accordance with accomplishments and capabilities.
  • Clean Energy

HR Manager

Ambry Genetics
01.2019 - 01.2022
  • Company Overview: Biotechnology
  • Steered strategic HR management throughout the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring regulatory compliance, effective internal communications, sustained employee engagement, and the development of robust strategies and policies.
  • Oversaw ironclad compliance during the pandemic, ensuring alignment with all regulations and policies to reduce errors, avoid sickness, and provide a conducive work environment.
  • Managed high-stakes employee investigation, demonstrating adeptness in handling intricacies of a large-scale internal inquiry.
  • Led specific employee engagement initiatives, ramping up during pandemic to find unique ways to foster connectivity and culture despite the fully remote work landscape, and implemented an intranet site that reduced frontline requests by 45%.
  • Supervised the frontline HR support staff, while also overhauling the employee handbook and guidelines to modernize it and implementing an annual review to ensure its continued alignment with best practices.
  • Served as a liaison to the executive team, developed a comprehensive file audit framework for 1500+ employees, and achieved a 100% compliance rate on all training for managers and individual contributors.
  • Spearheaded Background Check Adjudication, meticulously reviewing background checks against company hiring standards and consistently liaising with new hires to ensure a uniform, equitable process across the entire organization.
  • Biotechnology

HR Generalist

Cylance
01.2016 - 01.2019
  • Company Overview: Cyber Security
  • Championed the extensive implementation of Workday for a 300-employee organization, crafting comprehensive training materials and leading rigorous training sessions, ensuring seamless HR program integration and robust employee onboarding.
  • Successfully implemented Workday within a shorter timeframe than expected, with the entire organization using the new system within 8 days after a 4-month build-out process, vastly improving multiple HR functions.
  • Transitioned into a business partner role, handling employee relations, investigations, and succession planning, ensuring business continuity across multiple potential possibilities.
  • Led a company-wide corporate rebranding campaign for 850 employees, managed performance improvement plans, and facilitated HRIS platform training for domestic and international audiences.
  • Implemented HR programs within a startup environment, achieving a 47% increase in staff productivity and satisfaction based on internal surveys, improving employee engagement, and driving alignment with goals.
  • Enhanced organizational productivity and performance by serving as a bridge between management and employees, addressing work-related inquiries, managing contracts, and resolving issues.
  • Analyzed and reported on staff turnover through quarterly attrition reports for the entire organization and its subdivisions.
  • Managed company culture alignment with organizational goals by conducting internal satisfaction surveys, analyzing results, and preparing comprehensive reports for executive staff.
  • Cyber Security

HR Generalist

Keenan and Associates
01.2014 - 01.2016
  • Company Overview: Insurance
  • Managed employee incentive programs, resulting in a 20% increase in employee engagement based on post-program surveys, driving improved results-gathering and optimization of HR functions.
  • Acted as the primary point of contact for all employee queries, expertly addressing concerns related to company policies, procedures, and programs.
  • Spearheaded employee engagement initiatives, driving cohesion and morale across the organization.
  • Conducted background checks and reference verifications for 85+ applicants, ensuring a thorough and reliable hiring process for candidates from the entry-level to the executive level.
  • Developed career path reports and conducted compensation evaluations, resulting in a 15% improvement in compensation alignment with industry benchmarks.
  • Led project management of a $350K HQ remodel, achieving successful completion on schedule and within budget, saving 10% on expected costs.
  • Insurance

Office Manager/HR Manager

Southwest Servicing Group, LLC
01.2007 - 01.2014
  • Company Overview: Construction
  • Pioneered formal HR practices, including annual evaluations and a fast-tracked apprenticeship-to-management program.
  • Elevated company efficiency by 48% by standardizing procedures and software enhancements for a 60-member team.
  • Construction

Education

MS - Leadership & Management, HR

University of La Verne

BBA -

University of La Verne

Skills

  • Executive HR Strategies
  • Data Analytics & HRIS Systems
  • Organizational Alignment
  • ATS & Talent Pipeline
  • Cost Savings
  • Efficiency & Productivity Gains
  • New HR Policy Build-Out
  • Budgeting
  • Employee Handbook Creation
  • C-Suite Collaboration
  • Onboarding/Hiring
  • Startup Experience
  • Project Management
  • Training & Mentoring

Technology Skills

  • Microsoft Office
  • Workday
  • Survey Monkey
  • OKTA
  • Kronos – UKG Pro
  • ADP Workforce Now
  • SharePoint
  • HRIS/ATS Systems
  • BambooHR
  • Navan
  • Easy Lima

Timeline

Consultant – HR

Ambry Genetics
01.2024 - 01.2025

Director of HR

Hanwha Impact Partners
01.2022 - 01.2023

HR Manager

Ambry Genetics
01.2019 - 01.2022

HR Generalist

Cylance
01.2016 - 01.2019

HR Generalist

Keenan and Associates
01.2014 - 01.2016

Office Manager/HR Manager

Southwest Servicing Group, LLC
01.2007 - 01.2014

MS - Leadership & Management, HR

University of La Verne

BBA -

University of La Verne

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