Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Kai Hawkins

Houston,TX

Summary

Results-driven Human Resources leader with over 10+ years in leadership and aligning HR strategies with organizational goals, driving workforce planning, and leading cross-functional initiatives. Adept at succession planning, talent development, and fostering inclusive, high-performance cultures. Proven ability to serve as a trusted advisor to executive teams, lead HR functions through organizational change, and deliver measurable results in engagement, retention, and team capability. Strong background in operational HR leadership, with a focus on employee relations, staffing strategy, and compensation planning.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Team Leader of Human Resource

Target
10.2022 - Current
  • Serve as a strategic HR partner to the store’s executive leadership team, developing and executing HR strategies aligned with business priorities, including talent development, succession planning, and retention.
  • Led a district-wide engagement strategy, achieving the lowest turnover rate in the district for two consecutive years through targeted recognition programs, robust onboarding, and leadership training.
  • Partner with leadership on succession planning, proactively identifying talent gaps and creating development plans to ensure future readiness.
  • Coach and mentor leaders at all levels to promote a culture of equity, inclusion, and high performance; ensure HR strategies reinforce a diverse and inclusive environment.
  • Established a culture of accountability, setting clear expectations and performance standards to ensure consistent team results resolving issues in a timely and effective manner.
  • Oversee staffing and recruitment strategies, ensuring alignment with workforce needs while maintaining a high standard for candidate quality and diversity: (Lead a team of 200 + people).
  • Manage compensation discussions and performance calibration processes to drive internal equity and reward performance.
  • Guide and mentor a team of HR experts and frontline leaders in employee relations, conflict resolution, policy adherence, and regulatory compliance.

Store Team Leader

American Eagle Outfitters/Aerie
09.2019 - 10.2022
  • Directed operations and HR functions for a high-volume, $6M store, leading a team of 50+ employees in a competitive retail environment.
  • Ensure the team followed all company policies and procedures.
  • Skilled at analyzing reporting and daily sales trends to make innovative business decisions to achieve the store financial goals.
  • Develop store leadership through leadership development training, performance feedback, individual development plans and annual performance reviews. Promoted 2 Assistant Store Managers to Store Managers and 2 Supervisors to Assistant Store Managers.
  • Cultivate a culture of teamwork using recognition, communicating goals, holding team accountable for brand standards, and rewarding great performances daily.
  • Delivered consistent performance feedback, annual reviews, and training programs that built leadership capability and improved retention.
  • Post external positions on the Applicant Tracking System to fill open positions.
  • Conducted strategic workforce planning and staffing analysis to balance labor needs with development opportunities.
  • Oversaw full-cycle talent acquisition, onboarding, and compliance activities, including I-9 processing, background checks, and reference verifications.

Store Manager

Charlotte Russe
08.2013 - 02.2019
  • Led all aspects of store operations, including payroll management, budgeting, and banking functions, while ensuring sales goals were met and company assets were protected.
  • Built and developed high-performing teams by overseeing full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, and performance management processes aligned with company standards and business objectives.
  • Partnered with the District Manager as the designated district recruiter, responsible for sourcing and securing top talent across multiple locations, ensuring leadership roles were consistently filled without gaps.
  • Conducted structured interviews and new hire orientations, ensuring compliance with onboarding requirements and seamless integration into the team.
  • Implemented staff development strategies and delivered ongoing coaching to build leadership capability and drive employee engagement across the district.
  • Utilized labor planning tools and performance metrics to optimize scheduling, improve productivity, and align staffing with business needs.

Education

bachelors - Human resources management

Louisiana State University
05-2026

Associate degree - Business Administration

Delaware county community college
01.2024

Skills

  • HR Strategy & Execution
  • Talent Acquisition & Development
  • Succession & Workforce Planning
  • Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Compensation & Benefits Strategy
  • Coaching & Leadership Development
  • HR Compliance & Risk Mitigation
  • HRIS & Reporting Tools (eg, Workday, Kronos)

Timeline

Executive Team Leader of Human Resource

Target
10.2022 - Current

Store Team Leader

American Eagle Outfitters/Aerie
09.2019 - 10.2022

Store Manager

Charlotte Russe
08.2013 - 02.2019

Associate degree - Business Administration

Delaware county community college

bachelors - Human resources management

Louisiana State University

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