KJ SYLVESTER
Newark,NJ
Summary
Insightful Manager with experience directing and improving operations through effective employee motivational strategies and strong policy enforcement. Proficient in best practices, market trends and regulatory requirements of industry operations. Talented leader with analytical approach to business planning and day-to-day problem-solving.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, People Operations
Hirsch Leatherwood
New York, NY
01.2023 - 11.2023
- Established positive and effective communication among staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications, and missed deadlines.
- Recommended appropriate resolutions to employee relations concerns and handled disciplinary issues and investigations of misconduct.
- Implemented process improvement to shape organizational culture, optimize procedures for higher efficiency, and help the company evolve and grow.
- Directed initiatives to improve the work environment, company culture, or overall business strategy.
- Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Established internal audit procedures to validate and improve the accuracy of financial reporting.
- Implemented AspenHR as the new PEO platform that offered more robust benefits to employees.
- Created a compensation philosophy that aligned with the company's mission and values.
Manager, People Operations
Coterie Insurance
New York, NY
01.2022 - 10.2022
- Oversee and manage payroll on the Rippling platform.
- Planned and launched the company's first engagement survey with a 86% participation rate.
- Identified HR training needs and conducted training for employees and leadership while recommending approaches to effect continual improvements in business objectives, productivity and within company to reach business goals.
- Advised executives on best practices for employee growth and productivity goals, consistently helping companies improve retention.
- Conducted exit interviews with employees leaving company to gauge areas of success and opportunities for improvement.
- Provided perspective, insights and knowledge to stakeholders across organization as inclusion and diversity subject matter expert.
- Streamlined HR efficiencies, coordinated new hire orientations and provided onboarding and training for 30+ new employees.
- Evaluated the company's Core Coaching program and recommended improvements to upper management to enhance effectiveness.
- Formulated well-defined action plans and prioritized the People team OKRs over 3 quarters.
Senior Manager, People Operations
Donors Choose
New York, NY
09.2021 - 01.2022
- Evaluated employee onboarding programs and presented strategic improvement recommendations to upper management.
- Facilitated successful policy implementation and enforcement to maintain legal and operational compliance.
People Operations Generalist
Teachable
New York, NY
12.2020 - 09.2021
- Managed all Immigration and VISA cases with external counsel.
- Leaded the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) review and evaluation for transitioning exempt employees to non-exempt.
- Evaluated different providers offering a range of services, coverages, and plan options to pick the optimal choice.
People Operations Analyst
Blackboard Insurance
New York, NY
07.2019 - 09.2020
- Administered benefit plans and programs, including health insurance, disability, unemployment insurance, and 401(k) in accordance with federal and state-mandated regulations and company policy.
- Reviewed and approved all payroll and benefit-related invoices, ensuring the cost was properly allocated.
- Founding member of the Blackboard Inclusion & Belonging Committee.
Benefits & Payroll Manager
SoulCycle
New York, NY
04.2019 - 07.2019
- Oversaw benefits for the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
- Implemented and managed a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan.
- Established new policies and procedures for the Talent Team and People department.
- Administered health and welfare plans for all Corporate and Studio employees in accordance with federal and state-mandated regulations, as well as company policy.
Benefits & People Operation Associate
Managed By Q
New York, NY
07.2018 - 04.2019
- Led the Workforce Now implementation for all benefits data connection feeds.
- Plan Administrator - Handled all health benefits enrollments, 401k, Stock Options, COBRA, terminations, and changes to the employees’ profile.
- Responsible for processing the semi-monthly payroll and updates to all salary employees’ profiles.
- Responsible for employee relations issues such as employee complaints and harassment allegations.
- Managed and monitored all FMLA and paid Family Leave.
- Coached and guided managers before executing employee disciplinary actions.
- Assisted in the implementation of payroll deduction, coding, and business rules.
- Responsible for all benefits and payroll communication.
Payroll & Benefits Administrator
Managed By Q
New York, NY
05.2017 - 07.2018
- Managed and was the main contact for the implementation of HRIS (UltiPro) feed to benefits providers.
- Managed and coordinated the company’s First Health & Wellness Fair - over 20 vendors and 200 employees attended.
- One of the founding members of Managed by Q Employee Resource Group.
People & Culture Assistant
Managed By Q
New York, NY
11.2016 - 05.2017
- Responsible for all functions of the hiring process including pre-screening applicants, correspondence with applicants, and scheduling orientation.
- Conducted weekly interviews with potential candidates/operators.
HR Administrative Support
Macy’s Human Resource Office
New York, NY
09.2016 - 01.2017
- Coordinated all functions of the hiring process including pre-screening applicants, correspondence with applicants, and scheduling interviews with store management.
Education
Master of Science - Human Resources Management
Mercy College
New York, NY08.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration And Management
Morehouse College
Atlanta, GA05.2014
Skills
- Policies and procedures
- Strategic planning
- Operations management
- Coaching and mentoring
- Job inspections
- Project Management
- Payroll Auditing
- Tax Law Understanding
- Global benefit programs administration
- Performance improvements
- Recruitment
Timeline
Manager, People Operations
Hirsch Leatherwood
01.2023 - 11.2023
Manager, People Operations
Coterie Insurance
01.2022 - 10.2022
Senior Manager, People Operations
Donors Choose
09.2021 - 01.2022
People Operations Generalist
Teachable
12.2020 - 09.2021
People Operations Analyst
Blackboard Insurance
07.2019 - 09.2020
Benefits & Payroll Manager
SoulCycle
04.2019 - 07.2019
Benefits & People Operation Associate
Managed By Q
07.2018 - 04.2019
Payroll & Benefits Administrator
Managed By Q
05.2017 - 07.2018
People & Culture Assistant
Managed By Q
11.2016 - 05.2017
HR Administrative Support
Macy’s Human Resource Office
09.2016 - 01.2017
Master of Science - Human Resources Management
Mercy College
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration And Management
Morehouse College
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