Kristen Graves
Columbia,TN
Summary
Innovative and dynamic Human Resource Business Partner with 6+ years of experience. Developing proven track records of leveraging technology and processes to optimize talent acquisition, workforce development, and people operations initiatives. Adept in establishing tangible practices to create HR system implementation and configuration with comprehensive knowledge of talent management strategies. Streamline workflows and enhance efficiency throughout the employee lifecycle. Exhibits a strong foundation of building high-performing teams, fostering a positive work culture, and aligning HR strategies with business objectives. Known for strategic collaborative approaches and commitment to delivering exceptional service. Thrives in dynamic environments, supporting cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals. Committed to fostering impactful business practices that drive business success in employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, organizational development, and change management.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
HR Generalist and Employee Relations Specialist
Kellogg Co.
01.2022 - 01.2025
- Provides coaching, development, and mentorship to front-line leaders, equipping them with the skills and tools necessary to effectively manage teams, resulting in improved leadership capabilities, employee engagement, and productivity.
- Provides support and counsel to Associates, HR staff and/or business partners regarding leave of absence process, policies/legislation and other benefit issues related to leave of absence.
- Collaborates closely with leadership to identify and address employee concerns, serving as a trusted liaison between management and staff, resulting in improved communication, trust, and morale throughout the organization.
- Plays a pivotal role in mediating conflicts and negotiations between the company and the union, leading to the establishment of a collaborative relationship and the mitigation of labor disputes, thereby fostering a more peaceful and productive work environment.
- Successfully and consistently reduces the number of grievances filed by employees from 305 to 154 through proactive resolution strategies, such as implementing fair and transparent policies, conducting thorough investigations, and providing timely resolutions, resulting in significant cost savings and improved employee relations.
- Implements initiatives to enhance employee support and engagement, including the development of programs focused on employee wellness, recognition, and career development, resulting in increased employee satisfaction and retention rates.
- Develops and delivers comprehensive training programs for leadership to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage and support new staff members, resulting in smoother onboarding processes and increased productivity among new hires.
- Facilitates workshops and discussions aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization, fostering a more inclusive and supportive work environment where all employees feel valued and respected.
- Conducts regular assessments of employee relations practices and policies to identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with legal regulations and industry best practices, resulting in enhanced organizational effectiveness and risk mitigation.
- Provides guidance and support to leadership on employee relations matters, including performance management, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution, enabling them to address issues proactively and maintain positive relationships with employees.
Subordinations Relationship Manager
Bank of the West
10.2019 - 01.2022
- Streamlined and managed the subordination process, resulting in increased productivity and efficiencies, ultimately enhancing overall operational effectiveness and reducing turnaround times.
- Successfully handled approximately 150+ subordinations per month, including both internal and external requests, demonstrating a high level of organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage large volumes of work effectively.
- Cultivated and strengthened relationships both internally and externally with lenders and partners, fostering collaboration and communication to ensure smooth and seamless processing of subordination requests.
- Implemented improved methods and workflows for processing subordination requests, resulting in adherence to service level agreements (SLAs) and maintaining timely responses to internal and external stakeholders.
- Developed and implemented training programs for team members to enhance their skills and proficiency in managing the subordination process, leading to increased accuracy, consistency, and customer satisfaction.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify process improvements and implement best practices, resulting in enhanced efficiency, reduced errors, and improved overall customer experience.
- Monitored key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics related to the subordination process, analyzing data to identify trends, areas for improvement, and opportunities for optimization.
Home Equity Processor II
Bank of the West
03.2018 - 10.2019
- Implemented proactive measures to streamline workflows and improve processing efficiency, resulting in reduced turnaround times, increased throughput, and improved overall operational performance.
- Built and maintained effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, contributing to a positive and collaborative work environment and driving business success.
- Managed a high-volume pipeline of 50+ home equity files, ensuring smooth and efficient processing from application to closing, resulting in enhanced customer satisfaction and retention.
- Achieved fast and efficient closings for borrowers within a timeframe of 15-21 days, surpassing industry standards and providing clients with a seamless and expedited lending experience.
- Facilitated the procurement of creditor payoffs and homeowner insurance, ensuring all necessary documentation and requirements were met in a timely manner to facilitate loan closing and funding.
Business Enterprise Relations Specialist
Bank of the West
10.2015 - 03.2018
- Spearheaded strategic initiatives to enhance business relations and drive revenue growth by cultivating procedures to implement business solutions, resulting in a 65% increase in sales and client retention.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor strategies to identify opportunities for expansion and innovation, leading to the successful launch of new product lines and services that generated 50% increase in revenue.
- Managed commercial credit card accounts, overseeing account activities, monitoring balances, and addressing customer inquiries and concerns, ensuring compliance with regulations and adherence to company policies.
- Championed a culture of first call resolution, ensuring prompt and effective resolution of customer concerns on initial contact, resulting in enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Provided valuable support to branch teams by addressing inquiries, troubleshooting issues, and offering guidance, contributing to improved operational efficiency and customer service delivery.
- Mentored and trained new hires and existing employees on new skill sets, facilitating their integration into their roles and enhancing their proficiency, ultimately improving team performance and productivity.
- Handled fraud claims for both consumer and commercial accounts, conducting thorough investigations, mitigating losses, and implementing preventative measures to safeguard against future incidents, thereby protecting the interests of the company and its customers.
- Processed commercial loan advances and payments with precision and accuracy, ensuring timely and efficient handling of financial transactions, contributing to the smooth functioning of commercial lending operations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Communications, Public Relations
Missouri Western State University
Workplace Investigations Program - undefined
Michigan State University
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Suite
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Powerpoint
- Kronos
- Indeavor
- Halo
- Dayforce
- Paycom
- Linkedin Recruiter
- ADP
- Success Factors
- SAP
- UKG
- HR policies and procedures
- Onboarding and orientation
- Benefits administration
- Talent acquisition
- Payroll administration
- HR analytics
- Employee relations management
- Employee counseling
- Employment law compliance
- Attendance management
- Internal communications
- Strategic HR planning
- Organizational development
- Diversity and inclusion
- Employee retention
- Labor relations
- Employee engagement
- Employee relations
- Training and mentoring
- Event management
- Training development
- Negotiation
- Confidential document control
- Pre-employment screening
- Event planning
- Employee onboarding
- Recruitment planning
- Talent management
- Contract negotiation
- Team building
- HR policy/procedure development
- Time and labor control
- Collective bargaining
- Union relations
- Human resources management systems
- Employment data tracking
- In-person and telephone interviewing
- Employee investigations
Certification
Certified Labor Professional (CLRP) | Michigan State University
Timeline
HR Generalist and Employee Relations Specialist
Kellogg Co.
01.2022 - 01.2025
Subordinations Relationship Manager
Bank of the West
10.2019 - 01.2022
Home Equity Processor II
Bank of the West
03.2018 - 10.2019
Business Enterprise Relations Specialist
Bank of the West
10.2015 - 03.2018
Bachelor of Science - Communications, Public Relations
Missouri Western State University
Workplace Investigations Program - undefined
Michigan State University
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