Lauren Towles
Saucier,Mississippi
Summary
Solutions driven HR professional with demonstrated ability to partner with executive leadership to identify critical business needs and effectively execute plans to meet vision and achieve goals. Exceptional experience assessing trends to identify appropriate solutions and enjoys collaboration and partnership with clients and centers of expertise.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior HR Business Partner, Vice President
Hancock Whitney
Gulfport, MS
12.2017 - Current
- Strategic HR Business Partner with senior clients (Chief Banking Officer to include Consumer Banking and Commercial Lending, Specialty Lending, Mortgage, Lending Services, Contact Center, and Digital Strategy. Previously supported Operations, Technology, Marketing) to understand organization’s business strategies and align human resource strategy and programs to achieve the business goals, including alignment of succession planning, leadership development, resource planning, talent acquisition, compensation and performance management
- Provides management consultations including organizational design, business strategy, staffing, performance, and succession planning
- Manages team of HR Advisors supporting Employee Relations including coaching, corrective actions, terminations, investigations, EEOC claims, and internal Integrity in Action concerns
- Redesigned and implemented Employee Relations tracking and case management system to create streamlined efficient process
- Conducts compensation internal equity reviews to reduce risk and adverse impact
- Manages costs to align within budget
- Partners with senior leadership on large scale organizational design and job descriptions needs to accomplish overall goals and strategy needs in partnership with Compensation, Center of Expertise
- Facilitates talent and succession planning for key leadership positions to include development and training needs
- Work with leaders to establish and maintain a positive work environment driving employee engagement
- Collaborates with key stakeholders and Human Resources partners to develop and implement policies and change management to mitigate risk in compliance with state and federal laws
- Responsible for Merger and Acquisition Human Resources Workstream people strategy and project plan implementation in partnership with Centers of Expertise to include acquisition readiness, staffing model recommendations, reductions in force, and communication plans.
HR Service Center Manager, Vice President
Hancock Whitney
Gulfport, MS
05.2013 - 12.2017
- Overall responsibility for cost-effective HR Service Center by providing leadership, planning, project coordination to support associates needs regarding Benefits, Payroll, Retirement, Employee Relations, Compensation, and Talent Acquisition for Tier 1 and Tier II escalations
- Designed and implemented HR Service Center for Human Resources division
- Designed and implemented case management system, chat, and knowledge base features
- Provided leadership guidance and coaching to management
- Developed and monitored efficient and quality assistance through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Developed and conducted department training and ongoing team professional development in addition to employee engagement
- Continuously evaluated internal operating processes, systems, and procedures for effectiveness, efficiency, and responsiveness aligned with federal and state laws
- Developed and implemented HR Portal self-service functionality and enhancements
- Managed leave administration in compliance with federal and state regulations in support of FMLA, ADA, LOA, Military, etc.
- Managed all HR service center vendor relationships
- Managed numerous HR processes within HR service center in partnership with Centers of Expertise
- Ensured compliance with audits and records retention
- Managed budget for overall service center
Leave & Benefits Specialist
Hancock Whitney
Gulfport, MS
05.2012 - 05.2013
- Administered process and employee communication for FMLA, Leave of Absence, Short/Long Term Disability, ADA, Workers Compensation
- Conducted Management training to include but not limited to HR policies, onboarding, FMLA/LOA
- Provided associate assistance and system changes on all Health and Welfare, 401(k), and pension plan related inquiries and enrollment changes to include support of Open Enrollment and new hires.
- Supported disaster recovery efforts for company ans associate preparedness
- Supported Merger and Acquisition activities and special projects
HR Generalist
Hancock Whitney Bank
Gulfport, MS
09.2005 - 05.2012
- Administered process and employee communication for FMLA, Leave of Absence, Short/Long Term Disability, ADA, Workers Compensation
- Conducted Management training to include but not limited to HR policies, onboarding, FMLA/LOA
- Fielded associate inquiries related to various Human Resources matters
- Supported talent acquisition activities to recruit and interview qualified and diversified candidates for employment.
- Conducted HR data analytics to include adhoc reporting, analyzing trends to provide recommendations
- Developed Associate Handbook policies in compliance with federal and state laws
- Supported Merger and Acquisition activities and special projects
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MSMaster of Science - Business Administration
William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MSSkills
- Excellent client relationship building acumen
- Strong planning, detail oriented and organized
- Agile in dynamic environments
- Client and Associate focused
- Extensive knowledge of Employee Relations
Certification
- SHRM-CP
- PHR
Timeline
Senior HR Business Partner, Vice President
Hancock Whitney
12.2017 - Current
HR Service Center Manager, Vice President
Hancock Whitney
05.2013 - 12.2017
Leave & Benefits Specialist
Hancock Whitney
05.2012 - 05.2013
HR Generalist
Hancock Whitney Bank
09.2005 - 05.2012
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of Southern Mississippi
Master of Science - Business Administration
William Carey University
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