Johnny Ryan
Crown Point,IN
Summary
Experienced Human Resource professional with over 10 years of track record in driving associate satisfaction and motivating teams. Demonstrated success in implementing strategies to enhance employee engagement and foster a positive work environment. Skilled in developing and executing effective HR programs, including talent acquisition, performance management, and employee development initiatives. Adept at building strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels to ensure organizational goals are met.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Consultant, Sr. Human Resources
JLR Consulting
Northern, Indiana
01.2013 - Current
- Overall Responsibilities
- Associate Relationship Management: Proficient ability to influence behaviors, providing direction, and inspire associates to attain common goals
- Conflict Resolution: Skilled in addressing and resolving complex associate issues and complaints with effective problem-solving techniques
- Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, with a strong focus on active listening and clear, empathetic responses
- Process Improvement: Experienced in identifying inefficiencies and implementing process enhancements to improve service quality and operational efficiency
- Team Leadership and Training: Capable of training, mentoring, and leading teams to improve performance and ensure high service standards
- Data Analysis: Ability to analyze feedback and service metrics to provide actionable insights and drive improvements
- Multichannel Support: Expertise in managing associate interactions across various channels, including phone, email, chat, and social media
- Product Knowledge: In-depth Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) understanding to provide accurate information and support to Business Units
- Crisis Management: Experienced in handling high-pressure situations and managing associate expectations during crises or service disruptions
Director, Employee/Labor Relations
Hard Rock Northern Indiana
Northern, Indiana
07.2023 - 07.2024
- Overall Responsibilities
- Lead Employee/Labor Relations: Oversee500+ associates and own end to end investigations, negotiations, administration of CBA, complex claimant inquiries and performance issues, ensuring high-quality resolution and company/associate satisfaction
- Collaborate with Legal, BU leaders and Executives to provide guidance as needed pre and post contract negotiations
- Mentor and Train Staff: Provide CBA guidance, training, and support to BU leaders to enhance their skills and improve overall CBA interpretation/application
- Develop and Implement Procedures: In collaboration with union leadership to amend contractual language (e.g., MOU, MOA, Accommodation) to improve efficiency and service quality
- Monitor Performance Metrics: Track and analyze previous discipline, key performance indicators (KPIs), grievance/claimant response times, resolution rates, and employee satisfaction to ensure targets are met
- Handle Escalated Issues: Address and resolve escalated complaints and concerns to include represented and non-represented members that discourage the advancement of potential risks
- Collaborate with Other Departments: Collaborate with other departments (e.g., LOA, compensation) to address associate feedback and drive improvements to promote future good faith communication
- Maintain Product Knowledge: Stay up-to-date with industry trends (e.g., NLRB, Bloomberg, Local policies) to provide accurate and relevant information to union leadership
- Conduct Performance Reviews: Collaborate with HR to evaluate and provide feedback on the performance of team members, identifying areas for development and improvement
- Manage Special Projects: Lead or participate in special projects aimed at strategically enhancing Employee/Labor Relations operations and addressing specific business needs
Leader, Sr. Labor Relations
NiSource, Inc
Merrillville, Indiana
05.2022 - 07.2023
- Overall Responsibilities
- Manage and Facilitate: Oversee3,500+ represented and non-represented associates
- Lead grievance hearings as SME in collaboration with BU leaders to ensure impartial and equitable outcomes
- Research: Draft agreements (e.g., MOU, MOA, Settlements) to resolve conflict by way of Company and Union
- Conflict Resolution: Conduct investigations in accordance with Company policy and CBA provisions to provide impartial recommendations
- Union Avoidance: Identify key labor strategies and tactics, including union avoidance, union campaign strategy/management and draft potential strike contingency plans
- Support: Provide guidance, training, and support to junior team members to enhance their skills and improve overall team performance
- Maintain Product Knowledge: Stay up-to-date with industry trends (e.g., NLRB, Bloomberg, Local policies) to provide accurate and relevant information to union leadership
- Collaborate with Other Departments: Collaborate with other departments (e.g., LOA, compensation) to address associate feedback and drive improvements to promote future good faith communication
Director, Employee/Labor Relations
Lutheran Life Communities
Crown Point, Indiana
01.2018 - 04.2020
- Overall Responsibilities
- Lead Employee/Labor Relations: Oversee250+ associates and own end to end investigations, negotiations, administration of CBA, complex claimant inquiries and performance issues, ensuring high-quality resolution and company/associate satisfaction
- Collaborate with Legal, BU leaders and Executives to provide guidance as needed pre and post contract negotiations
- Mentor and Train Staff: Provide CBA guidance, training, and support to BU leaders to enhance their skills and improve overall CBA interpretation/application
- Develop and Implement Procedures: In collaboration with union leadership to amend contractual language (e.g., MOU, MOA, Accommodation) to improve efficiency and service quality
- Monitor Performance Metrics: Track and analyze previous discipline, key performance indicators (KPIs), grievance/claimant response times, resolution rates, and employee satisfaction to ensure targets are met
- Handle Escalated Issues: Address and resolve escalated complaints and concerns to include represented and non-represented members that discourage the advancement of potential risks
- Collaborate with Other Departments: Collaborate with other departments (e.g., LOA, compensation) to address associate feedback and drive improvements to promote future good faith communication
- Maintain Product Knowledge: Stay up to date with industry trends (e.g., NLRB, Bloomberg, Local policies) to provide accurate and relevant information to union leadership
- Conduct Performance Reviews: Collaborate with HR to evaluate and provide feedback on the performance of team members, identifying areas for development and improvement
- Manage Special Projects: Lead or participate in special projects aimed at strategically enhancing Employee/Labor Relations operations and addressing specific business needs
Corporate Human Resources
Spectrum Health
Grand Rapids, Michigan
05.2013 - 08.2016
- Overall Responsibilities
- Advanced Problem-Solving: Expert in resolving complex associate issues and complaints with innovative solutions and effective conflict resolution strategies
- Exceptional Communication: Highly skilled in delivering clear, empathetic, and persuasive communication, both verbal and written
- CRM Proficiency: Advanced knowledge of CRM tools for managing customer interactions and enhancing customer relationships
- Team Leadership: Proven ability to lead, inspire, and motivate customer service teams to achieve high performance and maintain service excellence
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Expertise in analyzing associate feedback and service data to drive improvements and implement effective strategies for enhancing service quality
Education
BA - undefined
Purdue University
M.B.A. - undefined
Walden University
01.2025
Skills
- Associate Relationship Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Communication Skills
- Process Improvement
- Team Leadership and Training
- Data Analysis
- Multichannel Support
- Product Knowledge
- Crisis Management
- Advanced Problem-Solving: Expert in resolving complex associate issues and complaints with innovative solutions and effective conflict resolution strategies
- Exceptional Communication: Highly skilled in delivering clear, empathetic, and persuasive communication, both verbal and written
- CRM Proficiency: Advanced knowledge of CRM tools for managing customer (eg, external legal counsel, agencies) interactions and enhancing customer relationships
- Team Leadership: Proven ability to lead, inspire, and motivate customer service teams to achieve high performance and maintain service excellence
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Expertise in analyzing associate feedback and service data to drive improvements and implement effective strategies for enhancing service quality
Certification
SHRM NATIONAL
Accomplishments
- Decreased Financial Liability: Implemented strategies that minimized litigation by20%, contributing to long-term success.
- Effective Conflict Resolution: Resolved over100 complex associate issues annually, demonstrating administration of discipline, strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
- Training and Mentoring: Trained and mentored new team members on Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) application/interpretation, leading to a30% improvement in overall team performance and efficiency.
UNION RELATIONS
UNITE STEEL WORKERS LOCAL UNION12775/13796 (USW) – TEAMSTERS LOCAL UNION142
Timeline
Director, Employee/Labor Relations
Hard Rock Northern Indiana
07.2023 - 07.2024
Leader, Sr. Labor Relations
NiSource, Inc
05.2022 - 07.2023
Director, Employee/Labor Relations
Lutheran Life Communities
01.2018 - 04.2020
Corporate Human Resources
Spectrum Health
05.2013 - 08.2016
Consultant, Sr. Human Resources
JLR Consulting
01.2013 - Current
BA - undefined
Purdue University
M.B.A. - undefined
Walden University