Karen Falconer
Tampa Bay Area,Florida
Summary
Results-driven HR leader with demonstrated success in establishing HR strategies at PAR, Inc. Key contributions include improving employee satisfaction and compliance management, alongside a notable impact on organizational effectiveness. Spearheaded a talent retention initiative that elevated workforce engagement and decreased turnover. Strong skills in conflict resolution and promoting a thriving company culture to drive performance.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President of Human Resources
PAR, Inc.
11.2021 - Current
- As the first HR leader in the organization, I provide strategic leadership of all Human Resources functions including managing two direct reports.
- As a member of the organization’s leadership team, I report to the COO with dotted line reporting to the CEO.
- From the ground up, I developed and executed a comprehensive talent and employment retention strategy that supports the organization’s goals, financial performance, vision, and values.
- I initiated and continue to improve and evolve employee and manager coaching, employee relations, HR policies, recruitment, talent and performance management, compensation and benefits administration.
- In addition, we received SOC2 certification, and I was integrally involved in the compliance requirements associated with this designation in addition to legal and regulatory compliance.
- With my hire, organizational development and change management has been critical.
- I address issues such as succession planning, superior workforce development, key employee retention, organization design and change management.
- I create learning and development programs and initiatives that provide internal development opportunities for employees including a very impactful inaugural mentorship program.
- I also oversee support of the organization’s philanthropic and well-being commitment by collaborating with the CEO, ownership, and others to oversee the company’s philanthropic and charitable engagement with the community.
- I coordinate the annual philanthropic calendar working collaboratively with event captains as well as the leadership team in addition to facilitating and encouraging healthy and holistic wellness choices of PAR staff, including financial, mental and physical well-being, including providing many events on site.
- We have a fantastic culture at PAR, and I am the leader of employee recognition events and celebrations in partnering with the leadership team to monitor employee morale and company culture to support the attainment of the company’s goals and promote employee satisfaction.
- I coordinate corporate events, celebrations, and gifts.
- I manage company-wide committees including wellness, environmental health and safety and culture and communications committees.
- I implemented, onboarded and continue to maintain a company intranet to facilitate much of this company communication and connection.
Senior Director of Human Resources and Administration
USC Consulting Group, LP
01.2021 - 11.2021
- Sole HR practitioner creating and administering various human resources plans and procedures for all company personnel; development and implementation of policies and procedures; prepare and maintain employee handbook, and company policies and procedures.
- Supervise business development and marketing staff of 5 employees.
- Develop strategic department goals, objectives and systems.
- Transitioned company files over to paperless system and streamlined process for new hires including electronic signatures and online paperwork completion to simplify process for remote hires.
- Administer compensation program; monitor performance evaluation program and revamped.
- Benefits administration to include assessing and choosing plans, claims resolution, change reporting, approving invoices for payment, communicating benefit information to employees, and open enrollment.
- Conduct recruitment effort for all company personnel; create and conduct new employee orientations and onboarding in US and Canada; facilitate career progression for consultants.
- Employee relations counseling, coaching, and exit interviewing.
- Conduct Tampa office staff meetings, and organize and attend meetings and seminars as pertinent to the responsibilities of the position including certifications needed.
- Recommend and implement new approaches, policies and procedures to effect continuous improvements in efficiency of the department and services performed by consultants for our clients.
- Provide guidance and research on international travel, work visas, customs and projects. Handle all travel requirements for consultants.
- Maintain Human Resource Information System (HRIS), Learning Management System (LMS), Applicant Tracking System (ATS) records and compile reports from database to assess and improve hiring, turnover and training.
- Recommended and handled transition to new ATS, payroll, ERP, TMC and LMS systems which provided greater functionality and savings for the company.
- Maintain compliance with federal and state regulations for employees residing in multiple states and countries and handle payroll accordingly.
- Responsible for administration of and evaluation of 401K profit sharing.
- Oversee company-wide communication and employee safety, welfare, wellness and health.
- Organize and encourage community service events and opportunities for the corporate office.
Human Resources Generalist
Firm Solutions/Ronald R. Wolfe & Associates
03.2008 - 01.2015
- Recruit up to 50 attorneys and 500 staff annually for a national management consultancy, providing ongoing employee performance management help; grew primary client staff from 300 to 1,200 in 18 months.
- Research and recommend benefit options for clients. Implement and facilitate open enrollment and benefits changes by conducting meetings, handling paperwork, assisting employees, and updating in payroll.
- Employee relations consultation for four external clients, handling all aspects of coaching, disciplinary action and performance improvement.
- Facilitate new hire programs for 8 clients including writing job descriptions and employee manuals; expediting employment verification; and administering 401(k) and benefits enrollment.
- Orchestrate bi-weekly client payrolls of up to $500,000, wellness program benefits of $20,000 annually, and 401(k) contributions and withdrawals for over 400 employees.
- Support use of learning management system by 1,500 users, serving as helpdesk administrator and training expert; establishing new system classes; and structuring monthly client usage reporting and compliance activity.
- Investigate employee hotline and HR complaints, consulting with staff, supervisors, and management on resolution and recommending new policies to permanently resolve issues 95% of the time.
- Structure compensation analysis, creating and following up on delinquency and key indicator reports for 15 departments and creating recognition incentives to improve employee morale over 50%.
- Teamed with IT to develop an internal/external SharePoint portal for remote clients and new hires, improving client responsiveness and reducing onboarding time.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Virginia
Skills
- Employee development and training
- Human resource planning
- Learning management systems
- Program facilitation
- Reward systems design
- Talent acquisition strategies
- Personnel management
- Salary and payroll administration
- Employee relations
- Analytical skills
- Succession planning
- Employee retention strategies
- Benefits administration
- Philanthropic leadership initiatives
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Compliance management
- 401(k) administration
Certification
• Mental Health First Aid Certification
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification
• SHRM-CP certification
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification
• SHRM-CP certification
Timeline
Vice President of Human Resources
PAR, Inc.
11.2021 - Current
Senior Director of Human Resources and Administration
USC Consulting Group, LP
01.2021 - 11.2021
Human Resources Generalist
Firm Solutions/Ronald R. Wolfe & Associates
03.2008 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Virginia