Lynwood Jones
Chicago,IL
Summary
Strategic and dynamic HR leader poised for impactful leadership roles, with a strong focus on developing leaders, fostering an inclusive culture, and driving business results through targeted people strategies. Expertise in supporting multi-unit operations within fast-paced, change-driven environments underscores a commitment to elevating talent and building high-performing teams that enhance operational excellence. Proven track record in succession planning, change management, and executing strategic HR initiatives demonstrates the ability to support business growth effectively. Dedicated to integrating inclusive and equitable practices into all people strategies, ensuring engagement and a sense of belonging while enhancing organizational effectiveness through workforce planning, employee relations, and cross-functional collaboration.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Human Resources
SEIU Local 73
06.2025 - 11.2025
- Led a culture reset centered on trust, communication and accountability while modernizing HR systems and strengthening leadership capability across the organization.
- Directed a comprehensive culture-transformation effort grounded in trust, communication, and accountability, including 1:1 interviews, listening sessions, and recommendations to modernize workplace norms.
- Advised executive leadership on sensitive personnel issues, conflict mediation and organizational alignment decisions.
- Built a People & Culture strategy that improved trust, communication, and expectations across the organization.
- Evaluated HRIS and payroll systems and delivered modernization recommendations.
- Created leadership and coaching tools that strengthened manager capability and accountability.
- Managed FMLA, ADA, benefits, leave tracking, and compliance to ensure consistent policy and legal adherence.
- Designed a tiered recognition program to boost morale, highlight contributions and reinforce cultural expectations.
- Facilitated leadership retreats and workshops to improve communication, alignment and team effectiveness.
PeopleWorks Partner (HRBP)
Brinker International - Chili’s
11.2023 - 04.2025
- Strategic HR leader who supported 76 multi-unit locations across the Midwest. Partnered with operations leaders to drive culture and performance initiatives. Led coaching and development programs to elevate team performance and accountability. Trusted advisor to the VP and Directors of Operations; known for HR integrity, building relationships, influencing leaders and elevating team effectiveness.
- Reimagined and led a regional strategy around accountability and performance management, helping teams improve culture and performance, resulting in a 5-step increase in brand ranking.
- Developed and executed strategic talent management plans across 76 multi-unit locations.
- Leveraged workforce planning strategies to improve staffing, decrease labor costs, and improve operational efficiency by aligning talent with business growth and reducing overtime costs.
- Strengthened performance across 30+ restaurants by influencing key talent promotions and addressing underperformance.
- Spearheaded a regional leadership recognition program as part of a people-strategy focused on increasing engagement, celebrating wins, and further building a culture that aligned with the Brand Purpose.
- Conceptualized and facilitated “Leaders Leading Leaders” development workshops to elevate GM Leadership.
- Key partner and change manager, supporting and guiding teams during a company-wide Oracle rollout.
- Engineered and led workshops centered on diversity & inclusion, equity, and leader readiness.
- Developed a brand-wide temporary housing and transportation plan for leader travel.
- Leveraged people metrics to identify gaps and guide leaders on targeted action plans.
Talent Selection Manager
Brinker International - Chili’s
03.2022 - 11.2023
- Managed the full-cycle recruitment process for leadership roles across 76 units. Supported Directors in reducing turnover and improving retention, while building staffing strategies for each unit. Partnered with the HRBP to develop and strengthen leadership succession plans.
- Increased Staffing % of MIDs from 81.5% to 96.7%, hiring over 200 managers.
- Supported HR Partner, Directors, and VP of Operations to decrease turnover from 13.88% to 2.67%.
- Implemented strategy to reduce hiring costs by focusing on 30-60-90-day retention rate of new hires.
- Strengthened the leadership bench through tailored leadership workshops and creating clear pathways to advancement.
- Facilitated workshops focused on best practices for hiring, staffing and retention.
- Led initiatives focused on Sense of Belonging and recognition for new hires, to increase training engagement.
- Support VP of DEI and VP of Operations by leading the planning and implementation of Director’s Diversity workshop.
Guest Engagement Manager
Brinker International
05.2016 - 03.2022
- Driven People Leader committed to creating a positive guest experience by addressing issues related to restaurant visits and brand loyalty programs. Leveraged data and analytics, to identify trends in guest satisfaction, and implemented targeted coaching and training initiatives for team development. Change manager who developed and implemented guest recovery systems, team scheduling guidelines and KPIs to improve operational efficiency and drive team accountability.
- Created strategy to improve guest experience, retention, and growth, while reducing the response time for guests to 24 hours.
- Spearheaded the implementation of a new CRM system to enhance guest engagement efficiency.
- Developed a wellbeing and rewards strategy focused on team member experience and reducing turnover.
- Increased team KPIs by 20% per agent per day by coaching to strengths and developing underperformers into strong contributors.
Education
MBA - Human Resource Management
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN01.2019
BA - Music Education
University of Illinois
Champaign, IL01.2005
Skills
- Risk Mitigation
- Program Development / Facilitation
- HR Analytics
- HR Tech Implementation
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion(DEI)
- Emotional Intelligence
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Performance Management
- Coaching / Team Building
- Change Management / Innovative
- Culture Transformation
- MS Office
- Smartsheet
- ATS – Taleo
- Oracle
- HRIS – PeopleSoft
- Astute CRM
- Paychex
Board Member
- President / Conference Chair | Chicago Roundup Inc. | Chicago, IL 5/2023 – Present
- A 501(c)(3) nonprofit recovery conference serving the LGBTQ+ recovery community. Led all strategic planning, governance, and execution of the Chicago Roundup annual conference, drawing hundreds of attendees from across the country.
- Led a cross-functional board and committee, driving accountability and alignment to the mission.
- Strengthened community, media, and donor relationships, raising $30K in additional funding.
- Expanded the reach from local to international participants, while updating the main venue to create space for growth.
- Directed and oversaw branding updates to social media, the website, and all other participant facing resources.
- Managed budget planning, financial oversight, and vendor relations to ensure fiscal responsibility and event success.
- Launched new initiatives through targeted social media, recovery workshops and community outreach to expand impact.
- Facilitated board development, succession planning, and governance best practices to support organizational sustainability.
- Implemented a new CRM and donor database, consolidating four outdated systems into one and improving outreach efficiency.
Add’l Work Experience
- Enrollment Counselor | Recruitment - Capella University, Minneapolis, MN 2/2007 - 3/2009
- Coordinator of Recruitment - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 3/2006 - 1/2007
- Coordinator of Enroll. Mgmt. & Recruitment - University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 1/2004 - 2/2006
Awards
Talent Selection Manager Achievement Award 12/2023, PeopleWorks Partner (HRBP) Achievement Award 12/2024
Certification
- SHRM - [Exam Scheduled 1/28]
Timeline
Director, Human Resources
SEIU Local 73
06.2025 - 11.2025
PeopleWorks Partner (HRBP)
Brinker International - Chili’s
11.2023 - 04.2025
Talent Selection Manager
Brinker International - Chili’s
03.2022 - 11.2023
Guest Engagement Manager
Brinker International
05.2016 - 03.2022
MBA - Human Resource Management
Capella University
BA - Music Education
University of Illinois