MARIA ARNOLD
Shelburne
Summary
Strategic HR leader with a track record of building people functions in fast-growth companies. Known for turning business goals into practical people strategies that drive scale, culture, and performance. Skilled at navigating complex challenges, influencing senior leaders, and designing solutions that stick—whether it’s rethinking org design, shaping leadership pipelines, or aligning talent with business priorities. Recognized for combining clear strategy with a hands-on, collaborative style that builds trust and delivers results.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
DIRECTOR, PEOPLE BUSINESS PARTNER
Polly Inc. , Insurtech
Williston
01.2019 - Current
- Partner with executives to shape and deliver people strategy, aligning organizational design, leadership development, and culture with business growth.
- Serve as a strategic coach to senior leaders on workforce planning, change management, and complex employee relations.
- Architect and scale people programs—including organizational design, compensation strategy, and performance management—that align talent with business priorities and growth.
- Developed companywide and divisional competency frameworks (Korn Ferry), embedding them into hiring, learning and development, performance management, and individual growth plans to strengthen talent alignment and leadership capability.
- Drive analysis of HR data across the full employee lifecycle to identify engagement and retention drivers, uncover opportunities, and partner with leaders to implement targeted strategies that improve experience and reduce turnover.
- Lead companywide engagement and retention initiatives: built and analyzed engagement surveys, produced quarterly people analytics reports, created action plans with leaders, and deep-dived into retention drivers—achieving significant increase in engagement.
- Oversee compliance across federal and 35+ state jurisdictions; modernize policies, benefits, and total rewards to balance governance with company values.
- Ensure operational excellence across HR infrastructure—including payroll, HRIS, compensation, and employee systems—delivering a seamless and trusted employee experience.
HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PARTNER
Revision Military , Product & Manufacturing
Essex Jct.
05.2015 - 01.2019
- Partnered with U.S. Business Unit and Shared Services leaders to shape workforce strategy, succession planning, and talent initiatives that supported business growth and organizational effectiveness.
- Guided managers on performance management, career development, and employee relations, fostering leadership accountability and high-performing teams.
- Served as a trusted HR consultant on policies, compliance, compensation, and labor law, ensuring consistent and fair application across the organization.
- Project-managed the rollout of the company’s first performance management system and global training programs, strengthening talent development and leadership capability.
- Led a rapid, high-volume hiring initiative, successfully recruiting, onboarding, and training 150 employees to meet urgent business needs.
- Oversaw benefits strategy and administration, including plan design, enrollment, and vendor management, ensuring competitive and compliant programs.
TALENT RESOURCING MANAGER
Trinity Partners Life Science Consulting Firm
Boston Area
05.2014 - 05.2015
- Managed staffing for 120+ employees across client projects, balancing business needs with employee development.
- Analyzed project and staffing data to improve utilization and drive successful project outcomes.
- Partnered with Director of Talent on performance management, training, succession, and headcount planning to boost retention and internal mobility.
- Collaborated with leadership to track pipeline health and forecast future resource needs.
- Led summer internship program at top universities, strengthening talent acquisition and early-career recruitment.
HUMAN RESOURCES GENERALIST
Continuum Global Design Innovation
Boston Area
03.2012 - 05.2014
- Partnered with managers on full-cycle recruitment, including sourcing, interviewing, and offer negotiation.
- Implemented and managed applicant tracking (Jobvite) and led onboarding processes for all hires.
- Developed behavioral interviewing model and supported executive performance review programs.
- Ran internship program and global e-learning initiatives to build talent pipelines and development paths.
- Administered U.S. employee benefits and supported HRIS launch (ADP HRB).
- Launched peer training programs and assisted with annual training needs analysis.
HUMAN RESOURCES COORDINATOR
Stand for Children Education Non-profit
Boston Area
11.2010 - 03.2012
- Executed new hire onboarding, coordinating with managers, scheduling key trainings, and managing office and technology logistics.
- Led onboarding improvement initiative, redesigning processes to increase program effectiveness and participant satisfaction.
- Researched, analyzed, and recommended Learning Management System solutions to enhance training delivery.
- Managed applicant tracking system, ensuring data integrity, training users on best practices, and preparing reporting for leadership.
Education
LEADERSHIP ARCHITECT CERTIFICATION -
KORN FERRY
01.2024
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION -
UMASS Boston
01.2013
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - BUSINESS MARKETING MAJOR
Providence College
01.2008
Skills
- Organizational Effectiveness & Change Leadership
- Strategic Business Partnership
- Talent & Leadership Development
- Workforce Planning & Performance Optimization
- Employee Engagement & Culture
- Governance & Risk Management
Community Leadership
BOARD CHAIR, Ascension Early Development Childcare Center,
South Burlington, VT, BOARD CHAIR, , 12/01/19 - 09/01/2023
VICE PRESIDENT, BOARD MEMBER, GOVERNANCE & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,
Lund Family, South Burlington, VT, 06/01/15 - 06/01/19
PROGRAM LEAD, AMERICORPS VISTA , Oregon Department of Health
Portland, OR , 08/2009- 08/2010
Timeline
DIRECTOR, PEOPLE BUSINESS PARTNER
Polly Inc. , Insurtech
01.2019 - Current
HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PARTNER
Revision Military , Product & Manufacturing
05.2015 - 01.2019
TALENT RESOURCING MANAGER
Trinity Partners Life Science Consulting Firm
05.2014 - 05.2015
HUMAN RESOURCES GENERALIST
Continuum Global Design Innovation
03.2012 - 05.2014
HUMAN RESOURCES COORDINATOR
Stand for Children Education Non-profit
11.2010 - 03.2012
LEADERSHIP ARCHITECT CERTIFICATION -
KORN FERRY
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION -
UMASS Boston
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - BUSINESS MARKETING MAJOR
Providence College
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