Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Jennifer R. Nicholson

Summary


Results-driven leader Human Resources leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for compassion, adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Director, Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Consumer Reports
01.2019 - Current

As a key member of the People and Culture leadership team at Consumer Reports, I drive strategic HR initiatives that support the organization's mission of ensuring a safer marketplace through data-driven testing and advocacy

  • Partner with senior leadership to align HR strategies with business objectives, driving organizational performance, and ensuring that HR initiatives support overall company goals
  • Lead and mentor a team of HRBPs, ensuring they are equipped to provide effective HR support, guidance, and solutions across the organization
  • Collaborate with business leaders to design and implement talent strategies that address both short-term needs and long-term organizational goals, including workforce planning, talent acquisition, and retention
  • Lead organizational design efforts and managing complex change initiatives, ensuring smooth transitions and minimal disruption while maintaining alignment with business objectives
  • Oversee the implementation of performance management systems, providing coaching and guidance to leadership on performance appraisals, feedback, and employee development
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders on employee relations matters, addressing complex issues, resolving conflicts, and ensuring a fair and equitable work environment
  • Drive DEI initiatives across the organization, ensuring that HR practices promote a diverse and inclusive workplace that supports innovation and employee retention
  • Providing executive coaching and strategic HR advice to senior leaders, helping them navigate complex HR challenges and develop their leadership capabilities

Select Accomplishments

  • Design and delivery of company wide value program and related training to reinforce desired competencies and behaviors
  • Implementation of first ever competency rubric for performance management, ensuring a more equitable approach to performance conversations
  • Creation of tools to upskill non-project managers in project management techniques
  • Development of career ladders and job families, creating a transparent structure for all staff
  • Redesign and facilitation of leadership assessment and succession planning process
  • Selected by leadership to receive the 2023 award for Exceptional Cultural Influencer

Director, Talent Acquisition

Consumer Reports
01.2014 - 01.2019
  • Designed comprehensive talent acquisition strategies aligned with business objectives to attract top talent including engineering, IT, marketing, advocacy, and policy
  • Led talent acquisition team, ensuring high performance, skill development, and effective collaboration
  • Partnered with senior leadership to understand hiring needs and ensure alignment with business priorities
  • Championed DEI initiatives within the recruitment process to ensure a diverse and inclusive workforce
  • Oversaw a seamless and positive candidate experience, from initial contact through onboarding, ensuring timely communication and a strong company culture fit

Select Accomplishments

  • Increased diversity hires to over 50%, up from 20%
  • Decreased voluntary 2 year turnover to under 10%
  • Designed and delivered selection based interviewing
  • Designed and implemented an internship program to support long term technical hiring needs

Senior Talent Acquisition Recruiter

Consumer Reports
01.2004 - 01.2014
  • Transitioned from independent consultant to staff recruiter, as the first ever dedicated talent acquisition professional
  • Recruit, interview, and hire for both union and non-union represented positions, partnering with hiring managers to effectively interview and select candidates for positions.
  • Selected and implemented the organization's first applicant tracking system
  • Developed compliant job descriptions and market pricing for open roles
  • Negotiated competitive compensation packages to secure high-quality candidates while remaining within budget constraints.
  • Established strong partnerships with external search firms when necessary to source hard-to-find niche skill sets for specialized roles.

Associate Director, Human Resources

The Reader's Digest Association
01.2000 - 01.2004
  • Responsible for recruitment strategy and execution for all U.S based business units.
  • Managed a staff of 7 talent acquisition team members, department budget and all recruitment compliance tasks (EEO, AAP)
  • Selected and implemented organization's first applicant tracking system
  • Created external recruitment websites for Reader's Digest Publications, Books are Fun and QSP
  • Developed recruitment strategy for the high volume recruitment of both independent and full-time sales representatives for 2 high growth business units within RDA
  • Managed cross-functional teams for multiple large-scale projects, successfully completing each on time and within budget constraints.

Regional Manager

The Madison-Davis Group
01.1998 - 01.2003
  • Responsible for placement of Sales, Marketing, Technical Support, and Research positions within the Biotech community for the Western United States
  • Clients include DuPont, Perkin-Elmer, Applied Biosystems, Comdisco, and Bayer

Skills

  • Organizational Design
  • Leadership Development Coaching
  • Stakeholder Centered Coaching (certified)
  • Employee Relations
  • Design and Implementation of DEI Initiatives
  • Workshop Design and Facilitation
  • Talent Resource Planning
  • Performance Management

Timeline

Director, Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Consumer Reports
01.2019 - Current

Director, Talent Acquisition

Consumer Reports
01.2014 - 01.2019

Senior Talent Acquisition Recruiter

Consumer Reports
01.2004 - 01.2014

Associate Director, Human Resources

The Reader's Digest Association
01.2000 - 01.2004

Regional Manager

The Madison-Davis Group
01.1998 - 01.2003
Jennifer R. Nicholson