Accomplished Human Resources professional with 20+ years experience of managing the full employee lifecycle. Working in various industries with both established organizations and start ups building and implementing the right processes and practices to build a high performance culture where everyone thrives.
Hi, I’m
Karen Hennessy-Coles
Los Angeles,USA
Summary
Overview
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Robert WaltersLos Angeles, USA
Senior Manager People Ops & Talent
08.2022 - 08.2023
Job overview
- Managing a small team to build the HR/People Ops and Talent recruitment practice
- Partnering with clients to fulfill their hiring needs
- Building relationships with candidates and clients, providing advice, guidance, and insight
- Managed full-cycle recruiting processes for managerial and executive-level vacancies.
- Planned and executed recruitment events to meet new candidates and clients and further develop relationships building the RW brand to increase revenue
- Trained and mentored newer recruiters in successful strategies for interviewing and qualifying candidates.
Immortals Gaming ClubLos Angeles, USA
VP, People + Culture
08.2018 - 07.2021
Job overview
- Established the HR function, enabling the business to meet its strategic objectives via our people
- In partnership with the exec team developed and embedded the IGC Vision, Mission, and Values to support the desired culture - receiving high employee survey results
- Led the transfer from a PEO to a new HRIS and payroll system, resulting in considerable annual savings.
- Developed and led all people processes, including onboarding, recruitment, development, performance management, and exit
- Member of the Exec team making key business decisions
- Identified and established KPIs to help measure and improve team efficiencies
- Led the Change Project following the acquisition of another esports business, which involved the transition of people and operations
- Led recruitment activities at all levels, from coordinator to President, and in numerous disciplines, implementing appropriate practices and training managers
- Managed several exit programs due to team changes and COVID
- Successfully led several change initiatives, including reorganization and ways of working
- Led Operations for the business, including complete design and build-out of our new 20,000sq ft facility
- Managed employee relations issues including disciplinary action when necessary.
- Managed benefits programs such as health insurance plans, sick and vacation
Promovere Coaching + ConsultingLos Angeles, USA
HR Consultant
01.2017 - 08.2018
Job overview
- Facilitating strategy and business planning sessions to support businesses growth and efficiency,
- Advising businesses on their organizational design and succession planning, which in one case saved one start-up $100k per month while improving delivery
- Designing and facilitating workshops and retreats to give specific business benefits
- Leadership and management training increases competence and confidence, increasing collaboration, productivity, and engagement
- Delivering outplacement training and 1:1 coaching to Nestle employees with a 95% Highly Satisfied Score working with Lee Hecht Harrison.
- Facilitated workshops DE&I
- Coached executives in the areas of communication, leadership, decision making, problem solving, and time management.
Independent Parliamentary Standards AuthorityLondon, UK
Head of HR
09.2010 - 07.2016
Job overview
- Working in partnership with the CEO, Directors, Board, and leaders to achieve the organization's strategic aims via positive and forward-thinking people initiatives
- Developed the organization's first People Strategy to support the delivery of the corporate strategy
- Led a team of HR and payroll professionals to ensure we delivered an exceptional and flexible service both internally and externally to the Members of Parliament
- Identified and led a program investigating improved financial regulation of Members of Parliament (MPs) staffing, working with the IPSA Board and the House of Commons
- Led the IPSA 2017 transitional program, ensuring the people strategy supported implementation
- Accountability for MP's staff terms and conditions, job descriptions, and salary ranges
- Led the resourcing and capability projects in preparation for the General Election, tendering and managing the £1 million project
- The 'onboarding program' received 98% positive feedback
- Introduction of the Hay job evaluation system and embedding within the organization Identified and project managed numerous IT and process projects, which improved service delivery, reducing failure demand, and increasing user satisfaction (measured via our user survey), reducing the workforce by 2%
- Designed and embedded an organizationally appropriate Performance Management System
- Strong focus on employee engagement, internal communications, and team-building across the organization to improve collaborative working and increased productivity
Environment AgencyReading, UK
HR Manager
09.2001 - 09.2010
Job overview
- Led a high-performing team of HRBP to deliver an effective HR service to a multi-site, multi-discipline team of c.1,500 employees
- Initiated reviews and projects which saved £500k+ in employee expenses per annum
- Reduced absence by 33% in 12 months (06/07) via coaching and developing managers on managing absence using our procedures
- Introduced and designed the 'Talent Program' to support the succession of future leaders
- Conducted Learning Needs Analysis, designing and facilitating workshops to develop creative thinking, change management, performance management, and career management
- Partnership working with recognized unions on employee relations and change programs, Worked with managers to meet Government target reductions via effective workforce planning
- Diversity lead, meeting our KPIs and re-focusing diversity to ensure we were inclusive and business-driven
- Member of the National team which decided organization policy and practices for the c.13,000 employees
Environment AgencyReading, UK
Business Change Manager
01.2008 - 04.2009
Job overview
- Developed project plans and managed the delivery of complex business change initiatives.
- Conducted regular meetings with stakeholders to review progress and address any issues or concerns.
- Organized training sessions for staff members affected by changes in order to improve adoption rates.
- Advised senior executives on best practices when it comes to managing organizational change initiatives.
- Developed change management plans minimizing employee resistance and accelerating adoption.
Environment AgencyReading, UK
HR Advisor
09.2001 - 09.2005
Job overview
- Managing full HR employee lifecycle for a department of 400 people.
ACNielsenMMSAscot, UK
HR Manager
09.1998 - 08.2001
Job overview
- Stand alone HR role providing the full HR employee lifecycle for 150 in house and 150 remote employees
- Developed and implemented HR strategies and initiatives aligned with the overall business strategy
Defence Evaluation + Research AgencyFarnborough, UK
HR Assistant + HR Officer
01.1995 - 08.1998
Job overview
- Providing full HR service for c. 350 employees
Education
University of PortsmouthUK
Master of Science from Human Resources Management
07.2007
University Overview
- Coaching Diploma
- MSc Human Resource Management
- HR Diploma (CIPD)
- Hay Job Evaluation
- Level A & B psychometrics
- Prophet Profiling
- Core Project Management
- Stanford University Design your Life accreditation
Skills
- Recruiting and Interviewing
- Employee Branding
- Process Improvement
- Legal Compliance
- Employee Relations
- Training Development
- Human Resources Management
- Staff Compensation
- Strategic Planning
- Performance Management
- Change Management
- HR Policy Development
- Compensation and Benefits
Timeline
Senior Manager People Ops & Talent
Robert Walters
08.2022 - 08.2023
VP, People + Culture
Immortals Gaming Club
08.2018 - 07.2021
HR Consultant
Promovere Coaching + Consulting
01.2017 - 08.2018
Head of HR
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
09.2010 - 07.2016
Business Change Manager
Environment Agency
01.2008 - 04.2009
HR Manager
Environment Agency
09.2001 - 09.2010
HR Advisor
Environment Agency
09.2001 - 09.2005
HR Manager
ACNielsenMMS
09.1998 - 08.2001
HR Assistant + HR Officer
Defence Evaluation + Research Agency
01.1995 - 08.1998
University of Portsmouth
Master of Science from Human Resources Management
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