Melissa Kyrk
Senior HR Manager
Homer Glen,IL
Summary
Multi-talented Senior Manager well-versed and highly effective at developing, executing and directing key improvements to enable business enhancements and growth. Visionary leader with solid success leading business operations toward growth.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager, HR Initiatives
Accel Entertainment Gaming
03.2025 - 06.2025
- Led the strategic alignment of project goals, scope, timelines, and key deliverables
- Communicated project progress and critical insights to senior leadership and key stakeholders
- Orchestrated the assembly and management of project teams, ensuring optimal resource allocation and fostering cross-functional collaboration
- Implemented proactive problem-solving strategies, overcoming obstacles, and maintaining project momentum
- Oversaw and optimized project budgets, ensuring cost control, and maximizing return on investment
- Managed and developed compliance programs, audits, training, and upkeep of employee records
- Instrumental in recognizing the need for a new HRIS, meeting with vendors, making a recommendation to stakeholders, and implementing new system, increasing efficiency company-wide and reducing yearly costs
Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition
Accel Entertainment Gaming
07.2024 - 03.2025
- Managed full-cycle onboarding and new hire orientation for all departments, ensuring consistent and engaging experience across 10 states
- Overhauled manager interview training and created supplemental materials to improve hiring manager capability and compliance
- Led and restructured a cross-functional team of corporate and frontline recruiters, shifting team dynamics and fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture
- Developed and implemented a company-wide talent acquisition philosophy focused on attracting top-tier talent and delivering consistent candidate experience
- Standardized recruiting practices and introduced cohesive processes to improve hiring quality and cycle time
- Partnered with Service leadership biweekly to assess talent needs and align recruitment strategies to evolving regional business goals
Senior Manager, Benefits, Performance Management & Compensation
Accel Entertainment Gaming
01.2023 - 07.2024
- Managed all company benefit programs, including annual vendor renewals, communications, and implementation of plan changes
- Consolidated multiple vendors to streamline benefit administration, reducing complexity and improving employee access
- Identified and implemented a third-party firm to manage Leave of Absence and FMLA, improving tracking and support
- Negotiated vendor credits and leveraged program deals, generating significant cost savings for the organization
- Co-led a company-wide initiative to revamp the performance review process, introducing a culture of continuous feedback and growth
- Developed a compensation philosophy aligned with organizational values and growth goals, gaining executive support for rollout
- Created an informational benefits video to educate employees and streamline understanding of available offerings
HR Compliance Coordinator
Accel Entertainment Gaming
07.2022 - 01.2023
- Personalized employment, incentive, and commission agreements using templates provided by the Legal department for new and existing employees
- Prepared monthly employee license status reports and kept license information updated in employee talent profile
- Guided new hires through the onboarding process; including entering information in the HRIS, scheduling drug screens/physicals, sending welcome emails, and making follow-up calls with further instructions and information
- Coordinated schedules for orientation speakers, conference rooms, and new hires’ hotel reservations
HR Intern
Accel Entertainment Gaming
01.2022 - 07.2022
- Monitored employee responses to daily Covid self-certification surveys, prepared detailed reports, and notified managers of their direct reports not in compliance with state guidelines
- Digitized terminated employee personnel files
- Updated job descriptions and templates
Assistant to Chief of Police
Willow Springs Police Department
06.2020 - 05.2021
- Wrote grants for the police department to receive governmental benefits
- Redesigned, printed, and distributed ID cards for entire Village (police, village clerks, village board, public works, and fire)
- Digitized and organized employee files including personnel, training, and write-ups documentation
Records Clerk
Willow Springs Police Department
05.2009 - 06.2014
- Adjudicated local ordinance violations and served as the administrator for preparing squad and body cam videos for subpoenas
- Served as Subject Matter Expert during implementation and post-implementation administrator of new Record Management Software (RMS)
- Processed payroll for entire Village (police, village clerks, village board, public works, and fire) and Village benefit administrator
- Instrumental in implementing a Village-wide emergency communication system
Radio Communications Operator
Willow Springs Police Department
08.2007 - 05.2009
- Answered and managed emergency and non-emergency calls for two police departments and a fire department simultaneously
- Trained new dispatchers on emergency management phone and records systems
- Searched female prisoners and arrestees for male police officers as a Certified Matron
- Skilled in maintaining a calm demeanor in high-stress events
Education
Master of Arts - School Counseling
Lewis University
Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Leadership
Lewis University
Skills
- Project Management
- Strategic Planning
- Client Relations
- Team Leadership
- Technical Proficiency
- Effective Communication
- Problem Solving
- Data Analysis
- Process Optimization
- Time Management
- Adaptability
- Creativity and Innovation
- Employee Relations
- M&As
Awards And Volunteer Work
- ACES 2022 Yearly Award Winner, Accel Entertainment Gaming, 01/01/23
- ACES Quarterly Award Winner, Accel Entertainment Gaming, 10/01/22
- Sparkplug of the Year, General Federation of Women’s Clubs Illinois, 05/01/17
- Volunteer, Homer Glen Junior Women’s Club, 09/01/16, 05/01/21
- Board Advisor, Homer Glen Junior Women’s Club, 01/01/17 - 05/01/17
- Charwoman, Homer Glen Junior Women’s Club, 09/01/17 - 05/01/21
- Vice President, Homer Glen Junior Women’s Club, 09/01/18 - 05/01/20
Timeline
Senior Manager, HR Initiatives
Accel Entertainment Gaming
03.2025 - 06.2025
Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition
Accel Entertainment Gaming
07.2024 - 03.2025
Senior Manager, Benefits, Performance Management & Compensation
Accel Entertainment Gaming
01.2023 - 07.2024
HR Compliance Coordinator
Accel Entertainment Gaming
07.2022 - 01.2023
HR Intern
Accel Entertainment Gaming
01.2022 - 07.2022
Assistant to Chief of Police
Willow Springs Police Department
06.2020 - 05.2021
Records Clerk
Willow Springs Police Department
05.2009 - 06.2014
Radio Communications Operator
Willow Springs Police Department
08.2007 - 05.2009
Master of Arts - School Counseling
Lewis University
Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Leadership
Lewis University
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