Laura Williams
Westerville,OH
Summary
Results-driven Talent Acquisition Operations Manager with expertise in marketing and branding. Proven track record of driving performance, building high-impact teams, and delivering measurable business outcomes through forward-thinking strategies.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Talent Acquisition Operations
Mattress Firm, Inc.
Houston, Texas
10.2021 - Current
- Lead and mentor a team delivering exceptional customer service and end-to-end staffing support for the Talent Acquisition function.
- Manage and optimize critical hiring systems, ensuring seamless maintenance, updates, integrations, and continuous development across the candidate lifecycle.
- Align operational support with company-wide strategic goals, driving efficiency and scalability in recruiting processes.
- Oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting to measure system ROI and provide actionable insights that enhance Talent Acquisition performance.
- Strengthen the company’s employment brand by supporting the employee value proposition and developing high-quality, consistent, and engaging recruiting materials.
- Partner cross-functionally with IT, HRIS, HR Operations, and Marketing to evaluate, implement, and optimize recruiting technologies and system upgrades.
- Design and implement interview scorecards, onboarding tools, and process improvements to enhance candidate and hiring manager experience.
- Administer and maximize the use of platforms, including LinkedIn, Workday, Paradox AI, Traitify assessments, and Appcast’s programmatic recruitment model.
- Remotely based in the Columbus, Ohio, area
Consultant, Marketing Management
Cardinal Health/Medicine Shoppe International, Inc.
Dublin, OH
02.2020 - 10.2021
- Manage the execution of key marketing initiatives to support an established national pharmacy franchise system.
- Support the development and execution of marketing and promotional plans designed to achieve business objectives, including lead generation campaigns, retention campaigns, as well as local marketing initiatives that can be customized and implemented across the franchise.
- Support the development and execution for industry events – trade shows, conferences, association meetings and sales meetings – to drive market awareness and lead generation.
- Work with internal and external teams to develop plans/timelines, create print, collateral and digital content, implement tactics across channels, identify and track metrics for success and manage project deliverables and deadlines.
- Serve as a steward for brand standards, support development of messaging to various audiences, and write and edit content.
- Manage internal franchise communications and content for intranet platform.
Marketing Creative Services Project Manager
Scotts Miracle-Gro (Contractor)
Marysville, OH
09.2019 - 02.2020
- Managed marketing services projects and day-to-day workflow of creative design and execution of in-store POP, print ads, packaging samples, print production and other related marketing projects for a large consumer products company.
- Led creative teams to facilitate creative and design projects through all stages (concept, production, approvals, release and invoicing) to ensure that projects are produced in a timely, accurate and effective manner.
- Provided quality control to ensure consistency and standardization, proper usage of brand guidelines and incorporation of reviewer feedback of all materials. Proof and edit copy.
- Coordinated regulatory, R&D and legal (FTC and Trademark/Copyright) approval routings.
- Managed translations, file labeling, archival of final assets and part numbers.
- Created and managed project schedules and timelines and report progress to key stakeholders.
- Managed project budget tracking and reporting.
- Coordinated printing, kitting and shipping/distribution with print partners.
Sr. Marketing Communications Specialist
Teleflex Medical
Morrisville, NC
06.2016 - 08.2019
- Managed branding, product positioning and marketing strategies for a medical device company.
- Developed and implemented strategic marketing communications plans, including advertising, case studies, collateral, direct marketing, electronic media, trade shows and white papers.
- Worked directly with the global sales team, product managers, clinicians, and other cross-functional teams to develop and implement target marketing programs and product launches.
- Managed trade shows, events and conferences and provide support to drive attendance and generate leads.
- Owned the traffic management process for all projects, including print, web, advertising and press releases, and obtain proper approvals from legal, regulatory and compliance.
- Performed in-depth competitor reviews to check competitor activities with ad placement, keyword use, placement bids and landing pages.
- Created positioning and key messages to differentiate business solutions and products in market.
Sr. Brand and Marketing Communications Specialist
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)
Columbus, OH
03.2013 - 06.2016
- Created and managed company and product branding and marketing strategies for a global scientific organization.
- Spearheaded corporate branding initiative to align products and solutions with new corporate vision and goals.
- Promoted brands and increase sales through various forms of digital media.
- Developed new marketing collateral for all products for print and online applications.
- Developed and create ad campaigns, automated marketing programs, and internal and external communications.
- Created and managed a $1 million advertising and media budget.
- Managed the Marketing Cloud functionalities of Salesforce.com, including campaigns, direct mail efforts and ROI measurements.
- Planned and managed domestic and international trade shows, including a $1.5 million trade show budget.
- Developed and implemented targeted strategies to reach specific customers.
- Coordinated trade shows, media buying and planning, sales promotions and direct mail campaigns.
Sr. Marketing Manager
SoftWrench Solutions
Columbus, OH
08.2010 - 03.2013
- Developed, executed and managed marketing and public relations programs and strategies for a software development company.
- Created an annual marketing plan to achieve organizational goals and managed the implementation of marketing strategies.
- Implemented consistent brand management on marketing campaigns, webpages, collateral and event materials.
- Managed complete redesign and launch of company website while meeting deadlines and budget.
- Identified, developed and evaluated marketing strategies based on company objectives and market trends.
- Promoted brand awareness through SEO optimization and social media outlets.
- Increased booth traffic by 80% at annual software trade show through targeted campaigns and media relations.
- Built brand awareness and generated leads while managing internal and external marketing campaigns and programs.
- Consulted with product development teams to enhance products based on customer data.
- Directed marketing projects at all stages, including conceptual planning, schedule management and final implementation.
Marketing and PR Consultant
Self-Employed
Columbus, OH
01.2009 - 08.2010
- Provided writing, editing, branding strategy, public relations, marketing consulting and event planning services to freelance clients.
- Managed in-store merchandising, community outreach programs and public relations for a restaurant cooperative.
- Managed all social media programs, including forums, blogs and message boards for a non-profit organization.
- Wrote crisis communications plan for a manufacturing company.
- Managed full-cycle marketing and advertising strategies including estimating costs, managing resource allocation and adjusting production schedules to ensure success.
- Wrote engaging and successful marketing, advertising and website copy.
Account Supervisor
Clary Communications
Columbus, OH
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Developed and executed strategic marketing communications, advertising and public relations plans for clients of a marketing communications firm.
- Developed annual strategic marketing communications plans for key clients.
- Researched, implemented and tracked advertising and public relations activities for an agricultural cooperative.
- Planned and executed special events and trade shows that assisted a restaurant cooperative in raising over $80,000 and establishing community recognition.
- Planned and negotiated media buys and public relations activities for a manufacturing company.
Marketing Manager
Simonton Windows Inc.
Parkersburg, WV
11.2004 - 12.2007
- Directed marketing, communications, public relations and events for a vinyl window manufacturer.
- Generated more than $2 million per year in revenue resulting from large-scale direct marketing campaigns.
- Managed all aspects of the annual international trade show attended by more than 110,000 industry professionals.
- Designed and created marketing collateral for sales team, educational meetings and trade shows.
- Established new window product line as an industry leader through direct marketing campaigns, sales contests, promotions and advertising.
- Worked closely with all product development departments to create and maintain marketing materials for sales presentations and client meetings.
Principal/Executive Recruiter
DMR Inc.
Parkersburg, WV
06.1999 - 11.2004
- Delivered strategic plans and executive recruitment services for clients of a financial services firm.
- Managed all phases of recruitment for clients, including defining hiring needs and posting available positions.
- Developed and maintained an accurate candidate system.
- Conducted reference and background checks on all job applicants.
- Developed creative recruiting strategies that met anticipated staffing needs.
Education
Coursework toward Bachelor of Science - Marketing Management
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UTCoursework toward Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
West Virginia University
Parkersburg, WVSkills
- Team leadership
- Time management
- Decision-making
- Workday
- Appcast
- Paradox
- Traitify
- LinkedIn Recruiter
Timeline
Manager, Talent Acquisition Operations
Mattress Firm, Inc.
10.2021 - Current
Consultant, Marketing Management
Cardinal Health/Medicine Shoppe International, Inc.
02.2020 - 10.2021
Marketing Creative Services Project Manager
Scotts Miracle-Gro (Contractor)
09.2019 - 02.2020
Sr. Marketing Communications Specialist
Teleflex Medical
06.2016 - 08.2019
Sr. Brand and Marketing Communications Specialist
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)
03.2013 - 06.2016
Sr. Marketing Manager
SoftWrench Solutions
08.2010 - 03.2013
Marketing and PR Consultant
Self-Employed
01.2009 - 08.2010
Account Supervisor
Clary Communications
01.2008 - 01.2009
Marketing Manager
Simonton Windows Inc.
11.2004 - 12.2007
Principal/Executive Recruiter
DMR Inc.
06.1999 - 11.2004
Coursework toward Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
West Virginia University
Coursework toward Bachelor of Science - Marketing Management
Western Governors University