Jennifer Hicks
Burlington,KY
Summary
Human Resources business partner with 20 plus years of progressive leadership driving strategic HR initiatives across multi-state and global organizations. Proven track record of building high performing teams, reducing turnover by up to 40%, and transforming people operations into competitive advantages. Deep expertise in talent acquisition, organizational development, employee engagement, DEI, and HR technology. Recognized for developing people-first cultures that align with business goals, enhance retention, and future-proof the workforce. Trusted partner to executive teams in both private and employee-owned organizations.
Overview
1
1
Certification
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Talent Acquisition & Retention
Merus, LLC
Cincinnati
01.2025 - 05.2026
- Served as strategic business partner to executive leadership, aligning HR strategy with company's employee ownership model to enhance engagement and performance.
- Leveraged people and analytics to uncover organizational skills, influencing C-suite decisions with actionable insights tied to talent health, retention and engagement.
- Championed a purpose-driven culture roadmap by optimizing core values, enhancing manager capability, and implementing scalable programs that improve retention and employee experience.
- Provided executive oversight of payroll and benefits administration, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency.
- Increased internal promotions by 30% by creating a new leadership training program.
- Improved manager effectiveness scores by 18% through collaborative workforce planning.
- Lead enterprise-wide organizational effectiveness initiatives that aligned structure, processes, and talent to business objectives, resulting in measurable gains in productivity, engagement, and operational efficiency.
- Translated complex people data into targeted, actionable strategies with defined ownership, measurable outcomes, and consistent follow-through.
Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, Regional Leader
Zwicker & Associates
Hebron, KY
10.2019 - 01.2025
- Led HR strategy across multi-state regions, overseeing employee lifecycle and changing management for over 1,000 employees.
- Reduced regional turnover by 25% through proactive employee relations programs, conflict resolution frameworks, and transparent communication channels.
- Delivered leadership training focused on coaching, feedback, and inclusive practices.
- Championed firm-wide DEI initiatives across Midwest and Western US, including inclusive hiring practices and leadership development for underrepresented groups.
- Successfully implemented a new quarterly performance management system resulting in a 20% increase in employee engagement scores within 12 months.
- Launched scalable learning and development programs addressing skills gaps, improving internal mobility, and strengthening leadership pipeline.
- Ensured full compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, minimizing legal exposure and organizational risk.
- Led and managed complex employee relations investigations, ensuring timely, unbiased resolution and mitigating organizational risk through sound judgement and consistent application of policy.
Human Resource Manager
Linamar
Florence, KY
08.2018 - 10.2019
- Directed HR integration of a 150-employee merger, unifying HRIS platforms and harmonizing policy framework with zero compliance gaps.
- Served as the in-house subject matter expert for wage and hour compliance practices: ensuring consistent adherence to federal and state regulations.
- Provided strategic counsel on organization redesign, succession planning, and global workforce planning across Sales, Engineering and Marketing.
- Partnered with Supply Chain leaders to ensure consistent practice regarding workforce planning, training and HR strategy.
Human Resource Manager
Sandvik
Hebron, KY
11.2017 - 08.2018
- Established on-site HR operations from the ground up, tailoring people strategies to reflect Sandvik's global culture and values.
- Launched a total rewards revamp that boosted employee satisfaction scores by 30% within the first year.
- Partnered with global HR counterparts on enterprise-wide change management projects, including restructuring and role realignment.
- Collaborated with Supply Chain leaders to identify talent capabilities to ensure strategic organizational alignment.
Corporate Human Resource Manager, Regional Leader
AGC Automotive
Hebron, KY
08.2011 - 12.2016
- Led total rewards strategy and delivered quarterly compensation summaries to the executive board, directly influencing budget planning and retention strategy.
- Facilitated change management through customized workshops and focus groups, increasing buy-in and reducing resistance to transformation efforts.
- Standardized recruiting practices, tools, and metrics to enhance hiring quality, speed, and scalability.
- Strategic partner with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Sales leading company culture, learning and development, and workforce planning to ensure organizational success.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Family & Consumer Sciences
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KYSkills
- ADP Workforce Now
- Paycor
- Paylocity
- Workday
- PeopleSoft
- Qualtrics
- Dayforce
- HR Acuity
- LinkedIn Recruiter
- Indeed Recruiter
- Clear Company
- Strategic planning
- Relationship building
- Organizational development
- Corporate social responsibility
- Leadership development
Certification
SHRM Senior Certified Professional
HRCI Certificate in Diversity & Inclusion in HR Management SHRM Mental Health Ally Certificate Fundamentals of Organizational Development Certificate - Alison
Timeline
Director, Talent Acquisition & Retention
Merus, LLC
01.2025 - 05.2026
Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, Regional Leader
Zwicker & Associates
10.2019 - 01.2025
Human Resource Manager
Linamar
08.2018 - 10.2019
Human Resource Manager
Sandvik
11.2017 - 08.2018
Corporate Human Resource Manager, Regional Leader
AGC Automotive
08.2011 - 12.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Family & Consumer Sciences
University of Kentucky
Personal Information
Title: SHRM-SCP