Hi, I’m
Karen O'Brien
HR Professional
Raleigh,NC
Summary
Strategic Human Resources Leader recognized for high productivity and efficient task completion. Skilled in talent acquisition, employee relations, and performance management. Excel in communication, leadership, and problem-solving to drive organizational success. Committed to fostering positive workplace culture and enhancing employee engagement. Well-versed in benefits administration and legal compliance. Forward-thinking with superior problem-solving, conflict management and organizational skills.
Overview
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Port San Luis Harbor DistrictAvila Beach
Human Resources Manager
03.2018 - 04.2025
Job overview
- Design, develop, implement and administer the comprehensive menu of public sector human resource activities: recruitment and selection, classification, performance management & succession planning, employee relations including the interpretation, administration & negotiation of labor agreements (including 3 separate union groups), compensation and benefits administration, workers compensation, organizational development, staff training, personnel records and external programs
- Provide information, statistical analysis, and surveys for salaries and benefits
- Manage HR & IT departments, including strategic planning & budget, hiring, supervision, and training.
- Monitored and handled employee claims involving performance-based and harassment incidents.
- Organized and led staff orientation programs and training to promote collaboration.
- Motivated employees through special events, incentive programs, and constructive feedback.
- Maintained payroll and benefits for employees in various locations and diminished financial discrepancies through expert program management.
- Facilitated onboarding sessions and on-the-job training for new hires, bolstering employee job position knowledge and skillset.
- Maintained company compliance with local, state, and federal laws, in addition to established organizational standards.
- Used technologically relevant digital systems to manage payroll and benefits programs.
- Maintained payroll and benefits for employees in various locations, minimizing financial discrepancies through detailed program management.
- Evaluated employee onboarding programs and presented strategic improvement recommendations to upper management.
- Motivated employees through special events and incentive programs.
- Facilitated onboarding sessions and on-the-job training for new hires bolstering position knowledge and skillset.
- Processed employee claims involving performance issues and harassment.
- Implemented performance reviews and motivational strategies to elevate HR team results.
- Worked with managers to achieve compliance with organizational policies, providing clarifying information and recommending necessary changes.
- Identified and implemented appropriate strategies to increase employee satisfaction and retention.
- Devised hiring and recruitment policies for 100+-employee company.
- Recruited top talent to maximize profitability.
- Facilitated successful policy implementation and enforcement to maintain legal and operational compliance.
- Created and implemented forward-thinking initiatives to improve employee engagement.
- Updated training processes by reviewing existing documentation, leveraging feedback from associates and working with legal and compliance teams.
- Distributed employee engagement surveys to identify areas of improvement.
- Structured compensation and benefits according to market conditions and budget demands.
- Fostered positive work environment through comprehensive employee relations program.
- Discovered and resolved complex employee issues that affected management and business decisions.
San Luis Sports Therapy/Movement 4 LifeSan Luis Obispo
Director of Human Resources
07.2012 - 12.2015
Job overview
- Head of HR for organization 350+ employees
- Re-wrote Handbook and Policies for CA, NC & AZ employees
- Developed Training Modules for On-Boarding/SH/OSHA/etc.
Ditech Networks, Inc.Mountain View
Director of Human Resources
09.2010 - 07.2012
Job overview
- Devised creative and cost-effective incentive and morale-boosting programs (including special events and a tiered awards structure) that increased employee satisfaction and productivity
- Reworked new-hire orientation program to include HR information and company resources
- Reduced benefits costs by 15% annually.
Selectica, Inc.San Jose
Director of Human Resources
01.2007 - 01.2010
Job overview
- Sole HR provider for global organization
- Revised scalable policies and programs from 1000+ employee company
- Development and implementation of human resource strategy and action plans to support BOD short and long-term objectives.
Agere SystemsSan Jose
Sr. HR Business Partner - Storage Division
01.2006 - 01.2007
Job overview
- Strategic Business Partner directly responsible for 600 employees in US; 900 worldwide
- Developed recruitment pilot program for Storage Division that was adopted company-wide
- Successfully completed audit and improved the programs, policies, practices and processes to meet the strategic, operational people issues of the Division.
SurfControl, Inc.Scotts Valley
Manager / Director of HR
01.1999 - 01.2006
Job overview
- Excellent communication skills
- Strategic Business Partner directly responsible for 1,550 worldwide
- Developed & conducted all corporate trainings (Harassment, VitW, Diversity, New Managers, Onboard)
- Developed & Maintained Compliance Reporting (AAP, EEO-1)
- US HR Planning & Development
- Strategic Partner to Executive Management (OD); Wrote employee handbook and management policies & procedures
- Developed Sales and US employee comp plans (salary surveys, wrote company job descriptions); Established HR function (used outside counsel prior) - hired entire department (staffing, benefits, payroll, etc.)
Education
University Overview
- B.A. - San Jose State University; San Jose, CA
- Certified "Train the Trainer" HR trainings
- SHRM, NCHRA, CalGov, CalPERS, HRCI - certifications
- MS365, Dynamics, NeoGov, ADP/WFN, Paylocity, Workday, Paycor, CYMA
Skills
- Labor Relations
- Employee Relations
- Dispute Mediation
- Risk Management
- Compensation Structuring
- Organizational Development
- Legal Compliance
- Benefits Administration
- Talent management
- Training development
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Human Resources Operations
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Human Resources Manager
Port San Luis Harbor District
03.2018 - 04.2025
Director of Human Resources
San Luis Sports Therapy/Movement 4 Life
07.2012 - 12.2015
Director of Human Resources
Ditech Networks, Inc.
09.2010 - 07.2012
Director of Human Resources
Selectica, Inc.
01.2007 - 01.2010
Sr. HR Business Partner - Storage Division
Agere Systems
01.2006 - 01.2007
Manager / Director of HR
SurfControl, Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2006
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