La'Keshia Kess
Public/Private Administration and Policy
Glen Burnie,MD
Summary
Forward-thinking human resources professional proficient in hiring, developing and motivating employees. Well-versed in explaining benefits packages to assist employee comprehension and decision-making. Builds rapport at all levels and resolve issues quickly. Oversee well-organized and efficient HR operations by balancing organizational targets with compliance and employee demands. Focused on maximizing resource utilization and enhancing performance with forward-thinking approaches. Solid background of improving collaboration and consensus across legislative company environments. Well-qualified professional with proven success in improving operations and solving problems. Highly proficient in building lasting relationships with key decision makers, customers and team members to further company goals. Ready to leverage training and experience to take on new professional challenges. Goal-oriented Human Resources Specialist with 20 years of experience in training protocol development and policy implementation. Strong financial acumen with demonstrated success in budget development and adherence. Accomplished in analyzing company needs and developing long-term solutions to meet personnel objectives.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Human Resources Assistant
Maryland General Assembly/Dept. Legislative Srvcs.
05.2017 - Current
- Adhered to all federal and state guidelines and managed payroll and benefits for over 21 employees.
- Directed onboarding and training for over 180 new employees each year, keeping company operations smooth, productive, and providing efficiently skilled candidates.
- Assisted in talent acquisition efforts, conducting thorough candidate screenings and interviews.
- Enhanced employee satisfaction by implementing effective policies and procedures.
- Provided ongoing support to employees regarding HR-related inquiries and concerns.
- Developed comprehensive onboarding programs for successful new hire integration.
- Organized and carried out quarterly status meetings to inform staff of developments, go and tactics as well as best practices suggestions to drive success.
- Assist senior management with making key decisions by developing and submitting performance and compensation reports with status updates and improvement recommendations.
- Direct and control various benefit programs, including 401K, medical, dental and vision and company perks.
- Successfully managed tight deadlines by skillfully balancing limited timeframes against available human capital while still achieving quality results.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders across various departments, fostering collaboration and smooth cooperation on projects.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless coordination of resources and deadlines.
- Streamlined communication between departments for improved project efficiency and timely completion.
- Pre-screened resumes prior to sending to corporate hiring managers for consideration.
- Improved office efficiency by effectively managing internal communications and correspondence
- Collaborated with managers to identify and address employee relations issues.
- Partnered with departmental managers to ascertain hiring needs and subsequently provide candidate recommendations.
- Conducted regular audits of HR files for compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Streamlined HR processes for improved efficiency and productivity.
- Maintained accurate personnel records, safeguarding sensitive information through strict confidentiality protocols.
- Handled exit interviews professionally, gathering valuable feedback to improve organizational culture.
- Stayed up-to-date on industry trends and best practices by attending workshops, conferences, and webinars.
- Ensured timely processing of payroll, maintaining the highest level of accuracy and professionalism.
- Administered benefits programs, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies.
- Resolved employee complaints and grievances successfully through mediation and collaboration.
- Monitored employee attendance and performance, addressing issues in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Partnered with senior leadership to establish and develop corporate and HR policies and procedures.
- Briefed job applicants regarding responsibilities, benefits and schedules to provide information regarding job specifications and logistics.
- Fielded employee inquiries related to insurance, pension plan, vacation, sick leave and employee assistance.
- Reviewed and screened applicant resumes to identify qualified candidates.
- Performed budget analysis to control expenditures and predict future budget needs.
- Responded to employee inquiries regarding benefits and other HR topics.
- Helped employees register for benefits programs using online portals.
- Supported diversity and inclusion efforts by promoting awareness and education within the organization.
- Compiled employee records from individual departments to maintain central files.
- Studied research and trends on best practices in HR field.
- Processed documentation for employee actions such as new hires, grievance resolutions and terminations.
- Developed and maintained HR policies and procedures.
- Converted employee status from temporary to permanent.
- Assisted with creating employee handbooks and manuals.
- Answered high volume of phone calls and email inquiries.
- Maintained confidentiality with sensitive documents, ensuring proper storage and distribution as needed.
- Updated spreadsheets and databases to track, analyze, and report on performance and sales data.
- Delivered exceptional organizational support enabling executive focus on high-level strategic initiatives fostering company growth.
Human Resource Coordinator/Executive Assistant
W.R Grace Davison & Company
09.2008 - 02.2015
- Helped set, enforced and explained HR policies to 100 team members to cultivate comp and satisfied workforce.
- Reviewed job applications to identify, vet and recommend optimal candidates.
- Researched all payroll, COBRA, disability and FMLA issues.
- Managed budget constraints, ensuring optimal use of resources while maintaining cost effectiveness.
- Conducted regular reviews of ongoing projects, identifying areas where additional resources were required or could be reallocated for greater efficiency.
- Developed a comprehensive database of available resources, enabling quick identification and allocation during project planning stages.
- Maintained detailed records of all allocated resources, facilitating accurate reporting and forecasting for future projects.
- Tracked resource utilization, adjusting allocations as needed to maximize productivity without overburdening team members.
- Developed effective rapport-building strategies with internal teams which led to proactive communication regarding anticipated changes in demand or supply.
- Spearheaded employee training programs to develop new skills within the team, increasing versatility in resource assignments.
- Reduced project delays by proactively identifying potential bottlenecks in resource availability and addressing them promptly.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders across various departments, fostering collaboration and smooth cooperation on projects.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless coordination of resources and deadlines.
- Implemented resource management software to centralize information and improve overall visibility into project progress.
- Negotiated contracts with external vendors to secure necessary resources at competitive rates.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement within the organization through regular review meetings focused on optimizing processes related to resource management.
- Assisted with writing job postings and job descriptions for boards.
- Pre-screened resumes prior to sending to corporate hiring managers for consideration.
- Generated and analyzed reports to monitor employee engagement and attrition trends.
- Advocated for staff members, helping to identify and resolve conflicts.
- Partnered with departmental managers to ascertain hiring needs and subsequently provide candidate recommendations.
- Resolved employee complaints and grievances successfully through mediation and collaboration.
- Developed and coordinated employee training programs to improve productivity and performance.
- Updated and maintained employee attendance records.
- Conducted workplace compliance training to reduce liability risks and operate effectively.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for team members, providing feedback on strengths and areas for improvement.
- Collaborated with managers to identify and address employee relations issues.
- Created and delivered HR training sessions to staff, managers and executives.
- Developed and monitored employee recognition programs.
- Completed human resource operational requirements by scheduling and assigning employees.
- Handled confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact.
- Managed executive calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments and coordinating travel arrangements to optimize time.
- Managed office inventory, tracking supplies and placing orders to ensure smooth daily operations.
- Screened calls and emails and responded accordingly to support executive correspondence.
- Answered high volume of phone calls and email inquiries.
- Supported executives in decision-making processes by conducting research and presenting findings in clear formats.
- Streamlined executive communication by managing emails, phone calls, and scheduling appointments.
- Used advanced software to prepare documents, reports, and presentations.
- Coordinated events for staff members, promoting team-building activities and boosting morale within the workplace.
- Handled payroll processing tasks accurately while maintaining strict adherence to deadlines for timely payments.
- Ensured smooth daily operations through consistent maintenance of office equipment, troubleshooting issues when necessary.
- Served as a liaison between departments to facilitate effective communication throughout the company.
- Prepared and edited presentations on behalf of executives for both internal meetings and external conferences.
- Updated spreadsheets and databases to track, analyze, and report on performance and sales data.
- Contributed to budget management by monitoring expenses and providing detailed expenditure reports regularly.
- Provided professional administrative support during board meetings, including agenda preparation and minute-taking duties.
- Filed paperwork and organized computer-based information.
- Handled logistics, catering, agendas and travel arrangements for meeting and event planning for board of directors, president and executive vice president.
- Greeted arriving visitors, determined nature and purpose of visit and directed individuals to appropriate destinations.
- Organized logistics and materials for each meeting and took detailed notes for later dissemination to key stakeholders.
- Worked with senior management to initiate new projects and assist in various processes.
Project Specialist/Site Support Coordinator
Pharmaceutical Research Plus, Inc.
06.1999 - 05.2008
- Reduced costs by identifying areas for improvement and implementing cost-saving measures.
- Improved project efficiency by streamlining communication and collaboration among team members.
- Evaluated project performance post-completion to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement in future endeavors.
- Championed best practices in project management across the organization through training sessions, workshops, or other knowledge-sharing initiatives.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
- Established clear lines of communication between all parties involved in projects, preventing misunderstandings or miscommunications from jeopardizing outcomes.
- Attended industry conferences to stay updated on latest advancements in pharmaceutical research, improving credibility during client discussions.
- Cultivated strong problem-solving skills through ongoing exposure to complex pharmaceutical research scenarios.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on emerging pharmaceutical research findings and regulatory changes impacting clinical practice guidelines.
- Collaborated with research teams to gather data on species distribution, abundance, and behavior for further analysis.
- Developed strong working relationships with vendors, securing competitive pricing on radiopharmaceuticals and supplies while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Conducted comprehensive market research for informed decision- making on potential expansion opportunities.
- Enhanced research efficiency by streamlining data collection and analysis processes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions for complex research projects.
- Supported the development of effective legislation through diligent research and analysis of relevant data.
- Participated in research projects focused on advancing treatments for various urological disorders, contributing to the improvement of overall patient care.
- Assisted in research support of data processing operations for large survey research projects.
- Streamlined data analysis processes, resulting in faster reporting of research findings.
- Conducted thorough research on new pharmaceutical ingredients, ensuring safety and efficacy in product development.
- Conducted market research, identifying target audiences and optimizing marketing strategies accordingly.
- Continuously updated skills through research and training sessions on database development trends and technologies.
- Mentored junior researchers, providing guidance on study design, statistical analysis, and interpretation of results.
- Researched continually to stay up to date on new FAA rules and policies.
- Provided exceptional customer service when addressing inquiries from study participants or other stakeholders involved in research processes.
- Completed bi-weekly payroll for 180 employees.
- Completed bi-weekly payroll for [Number] employees
Education
Master's Certificate - Project Management
University of Maryland Global College
Adelphi, Maryland11.2024
Master of Science - Human Resources Management
University of Maryland Global College
Adelphi, Maryland11.2022
Bachelor of Science - Business Communications
University of Maryland University College
Adelphi, Maryland05.2012
Associate of Science - Biology
Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD05.2007
Skills
- Benefits administration
- Compensation and benefits
- Workforce improvements
- Employee relations
- Conflict resolution
- File and records management
- Equal Opportunities
- Facilitation
- Employee Relations Management
- Internal Communications
- Payroll Processing
- Onboarding and Orientation
- Recruitment and selection
- Compensation analysis
- HR Policies Implementation
- HR Metrics and Analytics
- Customer Relations
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Project Management
- Confidential Document Control
- Data Evaluation
- Employment law
- Human Resources Operations
- Problem-Solving
- Human Resources Management System HRMS
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Time management abilities
- Office Administration
- Personnel Documentation Verification
- Effective Communication
- Critical Thinking
Timeline
Senior Human Resources Assistant
Maryland General Assembly/Dept. Legislative Srvcs.
05.2017 - Current
Human Resource Coordinator/Executive Assistant
W.R Grace Davison & Company
09.2008 - 02.2015
Project Specialist/Site Support Coordinator
Pharmaceutical Research Plus, Inc.
06.1999 - 05.2008
Master's Certificate - Project Management
University of Maryland Global College
Master of Science - Human Resources Management
University of Maryland Global College
Bachelor of Science - Business Communications
University of Maryland University College
Associate of Science - Biology
Anne Arundel Community College
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