K. Michelle Rodriguez-Lazenby, SHRM-CP
Round Rock
Summary
Strategic Human Resources professional with a focus on aligning HR initiatives with business objectives. Expertise in talent management and employee development drives team collaboration and operational success. Skilled in organizational development and performance management, fostering a productive and cohesive workforce.
Overview
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1
Language
1
1
Certification
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Human Resources Manager II
City of Austin - Austin Public Library
Austin, TX
10.2025 - Current
- Lead the Austin Public Library Human Resources Division with a team of 10 employees.
- Manage and oversee Employment, Organizational Development, Employee Relations, Benefits and Leave, Workers' Compensation, and Volunteer Services for approximately 480 employees who are spread between 20 neighborhood branches, the John Henry Faulk Building, the Austin History Center, the Zaragoza Warehouse, and the Central Library.
- Partner with executive management on HR programmatic analysis, achieving objectives and resolving complex HR-related issues, providing operational oversight, advice, and analytical support within the assigned department. Ensure alignment of program efforts, policies, and programs with department and City goals.
- Direct implementation/administration on assigned project or process; assigns projects, sets schedules, and monitors task completion for timeliness, accuracy, and effectiveness; perform quality checks of program-related data and personnel; prepare and review reports to monitor and communicate performance results; and direct HR team in implementation of agreed upon actions until the problem has been resolved.
- Direct implementation of assigned projects, assigning tasks, setting schedules, and monitoring completion for timeliness, accuracy, and effectiveness; perform quality checks of program-related data and personnel; prepar and review reports to communicate performance results; lead HR team in implementing actions until resolution.
- Investigate and respond to complaints from managers and employees, and makes recommendations.
- Act as a liaison and advisor within the department and between Department HR and other City departments, agencies, and external organizations by providing guidance and interpretation of applicable systems, policies, procedures, strategies, workflows, and regulations.
- Develop and implement standard operating practices and procedures, as necessary.
Human Resources Supervisor (Employee Relations)
City of Austin - Austin Public Library
Austin, TX
11.2023 - Current
- Manage and be responsible for the Austin Public Library Employee Relations team of four (4) employees.
- Manage and oversee Employee Relations, Benefits and Leave, and Workers' Compensation for approximately 480 employees who are spread between 20 neighborhood branches, the John Henry Faulk Building, the Austin History Center, the Zaragoza Warehouse, and the Central Library.
- Collaborate with and serve as strategic partner to senior leaders and management on HR programmatic analysis, with the achievement of objectives and in resolution of complex HR-related issues providing direct operational oversight, advice, and analytical support within the assigned department.
- Partner with and support senior leader(s) to implement enhancements, to improve policies and procedures, and to provide solutions and recommendations for practice and process improvements as well as operational efficiency and service quality.
- Serve as a subject matter expert providing guidance and monitoring compliance with applicable systems, policies, procedures, strategies, process workflows, and regulations; and monitor compliance with policies, regulations, laws, and program objectives.
- Act as a liaison and advisor within the department and between Human Resources and other city departments, agencies, and external organizations.
- Supervise implementation and administration on assigned project or process; assign projects, set schedules, and monitor task completion for timeliness, accuracy, and effectiveness; perform quality checks of program-related data and personnel; prepare and review reports to monitor and communicate performance results; and direct HR team in implementation of agreed-upon actions until the problem has been resolved.
- Investigate and respond to complaints from managers and employees, providing actionable recommendations for resolution.
- Monitor program, departmental, Local, and national trends; identify training needs and solutions; work cross-departmentally to create best practices; conduct research to support new policy and procedure development; and develop and implement standard operating practice, policy, and procedure, as necessary.
Human Resources Advisor Senior
City of Austin - Austin Public Library
Austin, TX
02.2022 - 11.2023
- Collaborated and served as strategic partner with senior leaders and management on HR programmatic analysis, implementation, and administration providing operational oversight, advice, and analytical support.
- Advised and influenced management on effective HR-related decisions.
- Served as subject matter expert in providing advice and counsel to management and employee groups on broad range of HR issues and with applicable regulations, programs, policies, and procedures.
- Interpreted and provided guidance on, and interpretation of, applicable systems, policies, procedures, strategies, process workflows, and regulations, and monitors compliance with policies, regulations, laws, and program objectives.
- Identified and analyzed HR problems using morale indicators and personnel measurements, including surveys and turnover, and presented recommendations for corrective action programs.
- Administered employee benefits programs and assisted with open enrollment.
- Collaborated with managers to identify and address employee relations issues.
- Created and delivered HR training sessions to enhance staff understanding of policies and procedures.
Human Resources Executive Team Leader
Target
Pflugerville, TX
10.2019 - 02.2022
- Effectively plan and manage all team operational and cyclical programs related to culture, training, retention, and rewards and benefits to maximize team member engagement and minimize business disruption.
- Oversaw full performance management cycle for 350 plus employees. This includes daily check-ins with leaders and extensive Workday follow-up.
- Reviewed and approved individual division budgets, fiscal reports, proposed activities and staffing level impacting department budgets.
- Handled full recruitment/employment cycle for all TMs. This is from recruitment to ongoing training, to separation.
- Served as on-site single point of contact for advisory of all human resources matters for staff and leaders at all levels.
- Devised and optimized human resources processes, practices, and program initiatives to enhance overall HR effectiveness.
Store Director/Human Resources Manager
Petsmart
Round Rock, TX
11.2015 - 10.2019
- Managed team of 175 employees which included cashiers, sales floor, inventory, grooming, and pet hotel staff and department leaders.
- Oversaw staffing and training, safety compliance, inventory control and financial functions.
- Managed all human resources matters and implemented appropriate action.
- Facilitated all new employee onboarding and accurately processed all new hire paperwork.
- Ensure all regulatory, and state and local compliance metrics, are always exceeding levels of mandatory corporate audits.
Human Resources and Operations Manager
Best Buy
Austin, TX
02.2000 - 11.2015
- Managed employee claims related to performance and harassment incidents, ensuring fair resolution and compliance with policies.
- Handled all payroll and timekeeping functions for over 450 employees at all levels, including detailed auditing of timesheets to correct payroll inaccuracies.
- Streamlined HR efficiencies, coordinated new hire orientations and provided onboarding for 600 plus new employees.
- Adhered to federal and state guidelines and managed benefits for over 450 employees.
- Worked with managers to achieve compliance with organizations policies, providing clarifying information and recommending necessary changes.
Sales Advisor
Bright Beginnings Boutique
Austin, TX
02.1998 - 02.2000
- Assisted customers with diverse needs, including gift shopping, special event outfits, and curated capsule collections for the season, enhancing their shopping experience.
- Provided personalized customer service, connecting each customer with desired items to meet their specific needs.
- Provided start to finish solutions from entry to point of sale check out and cash handling.
- Delivered curated pieces when requested and in a timely manner.
- Performed opening and closing duties which included preparing the store for the day, setting up and merchandising new and/or seasonal items, ensuring a sage and clean shopping environment, and end of day cleaning and retail recovery.
Discovery and Lab Technician
Exxon Chemical
Baytown, TX
08.1997 - 06.1998
- Supported research and development of new product in Product Quality Control Laboratory, contributing to innovative solutions.
- Prepared extensive reports on the findings of my many months of tests and experiments to present to executive staff for consideration and review.
- Prepared extensive reports on the findings of my many months of tests and experiments to present to executive staff for consideration and review.
- Was part of a team that developed an innovative and clean burning kerosene that went on to patent approval and distribution.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Engineering
University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TXBachelor of Arts - American Studies
University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TXSkills
- HR Policies and Procedures
- Employee Relations
- UKG & Payroll Processing
- Benefits and Leave Administration
- Employment & Recruiting
- Employee & Organizational Development
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Canva
Certification
- SHRM-CP - SHRM Certified Professional
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Interim Human Resources Manager II
City of Austin - Austin Public Library
10.2025 - Current
Human Resources Supervisor (Employee Relations)
City of Austin - Austin Public Library
11.2023 - Current
Human Resources Advisor Senior
City of Austin - Austin Public Library
02.2022 - 11.2023
Human Resources Executive Team Leader
Target
10.2019 - 02.2022
Store Director/Human Resources Manager
Petsmart
11.2015 - 10.2019
Human Resources and Operations Manager
Best Buy
02.2000 - 11.2015
Sales Advisor
Bright Beginnings Boutique
02.1998 - 02.2000
Discovery and Lab Technician
Exxon Chemical
08.1997 - 06.1998
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Engineering
University of Texas At Austin
Bachelor of Arts - American Studies
University of Texas At Austin