JORIDA LEKA

Spearhead end-to-end management of benefits for new hire enrollment, while executing annual open enrollment, including negotiation of benefit renewal annual rate. Own and improved pre-onboarding and onboarding new hire process consisting of background checks, I-9 verification, ADP & ATS access set-up. Actively engage in company’s internship recruiting, including in person and virtual College Career Fairs. Lead project implementation of payroll pay frequency change impacting entire organization, from a monthly to a bi-weekly process. Facilitate offboarding, COBRA, exit interviews, unemployment state requests, and verification of employment.

• Own the human resource’s function, directly reporting to the Head of Talent and Organizational Development; supported with payroll and recruiting for 130 FTEs, with an 80% headcount increase in a ten-month period
• Enhanced and streamlined onboarding orientation training and acting as primary liaison for all team members
• Address payroll day-to day issues with ADP, minimize errors through reconciliation of monthly health (including Health Saving Account), dental, transit pre-tax program, life (Basic + Voluntary Life), AD&D, and LTD invoices
• Championed project implementation of time and attendance in Workforce Now for hourly employees; facilitated training and developed workflow procedures
• Serve as the subject matter expert on all leave of absence requests (FMLA, Non-FMLA, Child/Parental bonding, Personal leave) across all departments
• Negotiated membership rate with Salary.com and Cultural Amp, performed compensation analysis, and researched and provided solutions to senior management on market analysis during bonus and performance reviews
• Conduct cost analysis to support annual benefit decision making; fostered and retained long-term working relationship with insurance broker
• Manage and provide input on sensitive and confidential employee relations matters, driving timely resolutions.

Guided a payroll team of 10-15 direct reports across two locations in Medford, MA, and Phoenix, AZ, executing weekly one-on-one sessions and managing all quarterly and annual performance reviews. Supervised worker’s compensation payroll process, including WA Labor and Industries (L&I) payments, multi-state union dues and unclaimed property payments, high volume of garnishments and verification of employment requests (300 - 500 per week). Recruited, interviewed and selected employees to fill vacant roles, administered retention process, and led the new hire onboarding process for the payroll team.

• Oversaw payroll processing to comply with tax laws and court-ordered wage assignments and garnishments. Collaborated with IT, Accounting and other payroll managers on multiple payroll improvement projects.
• Explored opportunities to strengthen team performance, supporting daily, weekly, and monthly team meetings and developing others to advance in their careers.
• Improved payroll performance metrics, volume vs productivity, tracking, and trending new volume results.
• Optimized training efforts for the department in conjunction with the L&D team for 50+ individuals on a new technology implementation [Customer Relationship Management (CRM)].
• Acted as a diversity and inclusion council, focusing on bringing equality in race, gender, and religion to the workplace and presented updates in town hall events.
• Championed quality review management for the Office of Attorney General requests and Office Inspection General employee validations.