Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Community Leadership
Timeline
Generic

Lydia Bailey

Washington,DC

Summary

Results-driven leader adept at guiding high-performing teams and implementing strategic initiatives to drive business success. Known for fostering collaborative environment and achieving measurable milestones. Exhibits strong leadership and adaptability to changing business needs.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Director of Talent & Operations

Spark the Journey
03.2022 - Current
  • Built and led the first internal Operations Team, including hiring and developing talent across HR, Finance, and Data, to scale infrastructure and align operations with the strategic plan.
  • Partnered with the CEO and SLT to align individual and departmental work plans to the organization’s evolving strategy and structure.
  • Hired and onboarded over 14 staff members (40% of workforce), while building equitable, standardized hiring processes, templates, and manager training tools.
  • Spearheaded manager training and development (onboarding, feedback, PIPs), and created people management guides and L&D resources.
  • Developed and launched Spark’s People Management Framework, 30-60-90 onboarding plan, and feedback culture roadmap.
  • Led employee engagement survey and analyzed feedback to shape strategic initiatives and improve leadership effectiveness.
  • Partnered on Spark’s first compensation audit and built internal salary bands and philosophy; adjusted salaries for equity.
  • Designed and implemented change management strategies during organizational restructuring and leadership transitions.
  • Supported new strategic plan implementation by translating high-level goals into measurable department objectives and accountability tools.

Director of Operations and Talent

Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School
03.2016 - 03.2022
  • Served as head of operations and talent for a 100-person charter school; led HR, budgeting, compliance, and hiring.
  • Managed a $6M annual budget; improved financial oversight through staff budget trainings and system redesign.
  • Rebuilt talent acquisition strategy, resulting in a 40% increase in quality hires and 25% reduction in administrative workload.
  • Designed and implemented a new performance evaluation system with competencies and step-by-step goal setting.
  • Established internal salary equity reviews and raised compensation standards to improve retention.
  • Oversaw annual audits, technology procurement ($220K), and grant reporting; ensured regulatory compliance across school functions.
  • Led change management during leadership turnover and guided new leaders in people and operational strategy.

Operations Manager

Center City Public Charter School
08.2011 - 03.2016
  • Oversaw all campus-level operations including budget management, procurement, facilities, HR support, and data systems.
  • Managed an $81K annual operations budget and ensured accurate tracking and cost containment.
  • Developed community-based recruitment strategies that contributed to 100% enrollment targets and record matriculation rates.
  • Streamlined procurement and vendor systems, reducing cost and increasing efficiency.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Government Affairs

College of William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA

Skills

  • Talent acquisition expertise
  • Workforce strategy development
  • Performance evaluation and coaching
  • HRIS and ATS management
  • Compensation management
  • Employee engagement strategies
  • Inclusive leadership development
  • Leadership training and succession planning
  • HR metrics analysis
  • Organizational change management
  • Effective internal communications
  • Regulatory compliance management
  • Collaborative leadership
  • Policy development

Community Leadership

Board Member

St. Philips Child Development Center

May 2024-Present

  • Head of HR Committee
  • Draft and support implementation of new HR and compliance policies
  • Advise on leadership and employee evaluation practices

Timeline

Senior Director of Talent & Operations

Spark the Journey
03.2022 - Current

Director of Operations and Talent

Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School
03.2016 - 03.2022

Operations Manager

Center City Public Charter School
08.2011 - 03.2016

Bachelor of Arts - Government Affairs

College of William & Mary

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