Kim Novak
Summary
Experienced Legal and Human Resources Professional with a strong background in operational management and administrative functions. Known for effective team collaboration and delivering consistent results. Adept in financial oversight, human resource management, and strategic planning. Reliable and adaptable, ensuring smooth operations and continuous improvement.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Firm Administrator
Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman, P.A.
06.2023 - 01.2025
- Responsible for the administrative operations of the Firm, including finance, human resources, lateral recruiting, IT, facilities, marketing, and supervision of all support staff.
- Reduced expenses by negotiating better contracts with vendors and suppliers.
- Streamlined firm operations by implementing efficient administrative systems and procedures.
- Managed financial tasks such as budgeting, expense tracking, and invoicing to ensure fiscal responsibility within the firm.
- Managed IT infrastructure improvements to enhance system stability, security, and overall performance across the organization.
- Coordinated annual performance review process, enabling managers to provide constructive feedback that contributed to professional growth opportunities for employees.
- Assisted in the development of company policies and procedures to maintain compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Chief Human Resources/Talent Officer
Lowndes, P.A.
09.2022 - 06.2023
- Managed all aspects of the firm's human resources department, with a focus on employee engagement, recruitment and retention, performance management, benefits administration and negotiations, and compensation programs.
- Facilitated regular communication between employees and leadership, fostering open dialogue around workplace satisfaction.
- Streamlined the recruitment process for improved efficiency and candidate experience.
- Optimized talent acquisition efforts by leveraging data-driven insights to improve sourcing strategies.
- Negotiated compensation packages, balancing both organizational budget constraints and candidate expectations.
- Collaborated with managers to identify and address employee relations issues.
- Conducted performance reviews and provided feedback to managers on employee performance.
- Coordinated implementation of people-related services, policies and programs through departmental staff.
- Reduced expenses by analyzing compensation policies and implementing competitive programs while ensuring adherence to legal requirements.
- Administered employee benefits programs and assisted with open enrollment.
Chief Operating Officer
Dean Mead. P.A.
02.2014 - 09.2022
- Responsible for the administrative operations of the Firm: finance, human resources, information technology, marketing, facilities, office managers, and information resources (records, conflicts, business intake, library/internet resources, and firm intranet).
- Provide leadership to the Firm with an eye toward profitability, while maintaining and enhancing the culture of the Firm.
- Assist in developing organizational and business goals, strategic planning, lateral hiring and inclusion/onboarding, and participation in meetings of the Firm's governing body.
- Manage office buildouts, redesigns, and relocations
- Guided teams through periods of significant change by providing clear communication and decisive leadership during transitions.
- Negotiated contracts and agreements to secure favorable terms and maximize profits.
Office Administrator
Akerman LLP
12.2008 - 02.2014
- Practice support for 70 plus attorneys and management for over 50 support staff.
- Contributed to a positive work environment by fostering strong working relationships among colleagues.
- Ensured successful office management in the areas of human resources, finance, performance and compensation management, training and development, facilities, records, and general office operations.
- Boosted productivity by prioritizing tasks, managing schedules, and coordinating meetings for staff members.
- Responsible for meeting various firm goals and objectives, office budgeting and forecasting, and billing and collections management.
- Aided in employee onboarding through training new hires on office procedures and firm policies.
- Maximized office space utilization by maintaining a clean, organized work environment that encouraged productivity and efficiency.
- Assisted in event planning efforts for office gatherings to enhance employee engagement.
- Reported to the Office Managing Shareholder and COO.
Sr. Human Resources Administrator
Akerman LLP
09.2007 - 12.2008
- Co-managed the firmwide human resources department (generalist, benefits, compensation, recruiting, and HRIS), reporting to the Director of Human Resources.
- Responsible for employee relations issues firmwide (1,100 employees). Provided counseling and guidance to Office Administrators, National Department Directors, Practice Group Leaders, as well as all staff and attorneys, regarding common and complex employee relation issues, resulting in improved team dynamics.
- Completed termination paperwork and exit interviews for attorney positions. Tracked and reported on exit trends.
Human Resources Director
Dean Mead. P.A.
04.2006 - 09.2007
- Senior-level position with overall accountability for all personnel matters.
- Responsible for recruiting and retention, onboarding, training and talent development, performance evaluation and coaching, and compensation administration.
- Streamlined HR processes for increased efficiency and improved service delivery.
- Implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and company regulations.
- Conducted thorough compensation analyses to maintain competitive pay structures within the industry market standards.
- Managed benefits administration, ensuring cost-effective coverage options for employees while staying within budget constraints.
- Coordinated internal communications efforts, keeping employees informed of important updates and changes.
- Updated and maintained the employee handbook according to best practices and applicable laws.
- Served as Interim Director of Administration for over 6 months while the Firm was recruiting for a replacement.
- Reported to the Firm President and Board of Directors.
Director of Benefits and Compensation
Lathrop GPM LLP
01.2000 - 03.2006
- Responsible for all employee benefits and retirement plans.
- COBRA, HIPAA, leave administration and compliance.
- Worked with brokers on benefit plan renewals, resulting in substantial savings, and enhanced employee satisfaction.
- Managed and worked with the trustee on the firm's self-administered multi-million-dollar retirement plan.
- Participated in budgeting and financial reporting relating to employee benefit plans and retirement plan contribution calculations.
- Developed personalized employee compensation and benefit summaries.
- Contributed expertise and performed data analysis for health, welfare and retirement plans for acquisitions.
- Provided guidance to senior leadership on strategic benefit plan design decisions, considering industry trends and best practices.
- Managed annual open enrollment periods, ensuring a smooth process for all employees.
- Developed effective communication strategies to educate employees on available benefits options.
- Championed wellness initiatives within the organization, promoting a culture of health and well-being among employees.
- Educated new hires about different benefit plans.
- Fulfilled reporting requirements of Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
- Assessed and evaluated jobs to determine appropriate salary ranges.
Human Resources Coordinator
Lathrop GPM LLP
03.1999 - 01.2000
- Responsible for staff recruiting and onboarding and integrating all new hires.
- Maintained employee time and attendance database and processed employee timesheets for payroll.
- Assisted with annual performance reviews and salary increases.
- Co-facilitated firm events to boost morale.
- Maintained human resources information system and kept employee files up to date and accurate.
- Completed background and reference checks to facilitate hiring of employees.
- Established solid relationships between departments by providing well-rounded support across various teams.
- Conducted job analyses to ensure accurate job descriptions and requirements.
- Facilitated exit interviews, gathering valuable feedback for organizational improvement.
Education
M.A. - Human Resources Management
Ottawa University
Overland Park, KSB.S. - Criminal Justice, Minor in Sociology
Washburn University
Topeka, KSParalegal Certificate -
Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, KSSkills
- Effective Workload Management
- Talent Acquisition
- Operational Efficiency Management
- Creativity and innovation
- Effective Internal Communications
- Employee Relations Coordination
- Strategic Development
- Project management
- Policy implementation
- Cross-functional collaboration
Non Legal Hr Professional Work Experience
Johnson County Department of Corrections, Gardner, KS, Probation and Parole Officer - Supervised misdemeanor and felony offenders housed in a minimum-security residential work release facility.
Professional Associations
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Member
- International Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), Member
- Central Florida Chapter Association of Legal Administrators (CFCALA), Served as President, Vice President, HR Focus Group, Communications Chair, Business Partner Committee Member, Website Co-chair
- Central Florida SHRM, Member
Timeline
Firm Administrator
Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman, P.A.
06.2023 - 01.2025
Chief Human Resources/Talent Officer
Lowndes, P.A.
09.2022 - 06.2023
Chief Operating Officer
Dean Mead. P.A.
02.2014 - 09.2022
Office Administrator
Akerman LLP
12.2008 - 02.2014
Sr. Human Resources Administrator
Akerman LLP
09.2007 - 12.2008
Human Resources Director
Dean Mead. P.A.
04.2006 - 09.2007
Director of Benefits and Compensation
Lathrop GPM LLP
01.2000 - 03.2006
Human Resources Coordinator
Lathrop GPM LLP
03.1999 - 01.2000
B.S. - Criminal Justice, Minor in Sociology
Washburn University
Paralegal Certificate -
Johnson County Community College
M.A. - Human Resources Management
Ottawa University
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