Melissa Thompson
Springfield,IL
Summary
Strong HR leader with 15+ years of experience in overseeing HR Operations including Payroll Administration, HRIS and HR Service Center responsibilities with strong project management, process optimization and decision-making skills. Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, HR Shared Services
Horace Mann Service Corporation
01.2019 - Current
- Responsible for ensuring HR Service Center delivery model is providing high quality, consistent HR guidance, support and resolution to managers, employees, and COE's with a focus on distinctive service.
- Develops and implements the overall strategy and processes necessary to manage a multi-tier service center and ensures appropriate standards are in place to evaluate and optimize service delivery and service quality, effectiveness, efficiency, and responsiveness to internal customer requirements.
- Create, maintain and review HR policies to ensure policies support the Company’s strategy, enhance the employer brand, and foster a culture of trust, fairness, and inclusion.
- Leads all aspects of the payroll department including directing the daily activities of staff as it relates to the full life cycle of payroll processing, payroll taxes, accounting, auditing, analyzing and reporting.
- Develop companywide long -term HRIS strategy/roadmap for key systems including Workday, Greenhouse and Conerstone, ensuring a strong linkage to the overall enterprise strategy and culture, with a goal to drive exceptional employee experiences and improved operational efficiencies in partnership with IT business partners.
- Effectively manage vendor and functional partner relationships, ensuring seamless delivery of HR services, holding vendors and partners accountable to established service-level agreements.
- Responsible for a wide range of Federal and State audit and reporting requirements, including EEO-1, Affordable Care Act, SOC-1 Type II, Quarterly SOX audits and W-2 processing for 2,000+ employees.
Manager, Payroll
Horace Mann Service Corporation
01.2016 - 12.2018
- Led all aspects of processing $161M+ annual payroll for 1,800 employees in a multi-state environment
- Responsible for identifying risk and creating effective controls to satisfy Sarbanes Oxley 404, System & Organization Controls (SOC), and internal/external audits for a publicly traded Company
- Applied for and maintained all Company tax IDs at the Federal, State and Local level
- Maintained collaborative partnerships with cross-functional departments to streamline payroll, accounting, and corporate tax functions across the organization.
- Increased team productivity by implementing streamlined processes and effective communication strategies.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
Senior Payroll Administrator
Horace Mann Service Corporation
01.2015 - 12.2015
- Executed full-cycle payroll, ensuring accurate wage deductions, earnings, rate changes, terminations, new hires, and HR payroll-related items
- Reviewed, authorized, and tracked timecard errors, retro computations, payroll garnishments, and manual payroll check issues
- Identified, recommended, and assisted in deployment of updates to payroll software, systems, and procedures
- Ensured procedural adherence with Local, State and Federal laws by conducting internal audits and served as the HR lead for external auditors
- Lead Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) overhaul to ensure payroll and HRIS critical processes were documented by end users for business continuity.
- Streamlined payroll processing by implementing efficient systems and procedures.
- Reduced errors in payroll administration through meticulous attention to detail and thorough audits.
HR Generalist
Horace Mann Service Corporation
01.2014 - 12.2014
- Oversaw and administered all aspect of leave management and accommodations from employees requiring specialized attention, particularly those arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local leave laws, and short-term or long-term disability plans
- Maintained reasonable communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work; relayed communication between employees and their managers during leave within reason
- Advised managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws with paid time off, workers compensation, and short-term and long-term disability benefits
- Conducted exit interviews, summarized findings, and discussed trends and concerns with management
- Work with the business to address performance concerns, corrective action, and conflict management issues to meet mutually beneficial outcomes for both employee and Company
- Managed and coordinated all aspects of Unemployment for the company, including preparing all responses with proper documentation, securing witnesses for potential Hearings and providing guidance and direction to management.
- Streamlined HR processes for increased efficiency and reduced administrative workload.
HR Services Operations Specialist
Horace Mann Service Corporation
10.2011 - 12.2013
HR Associate
Horace Mann Service Corporation
03.2009 - 09.2011
HR Records Specialist
Horace Mann Service Corporation
07.2008 - 02.2009
Education
Bachelor of Science - Employee Relations
Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville05.2005
Skills
- Payroll Administration
- Compliance
- Employee Handbook Development
- Total Rewards
- Vendor Management
- Process Optimization
- Leave Administration
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
key achievements
- Project Manager and Payroll Lead on Workday HCM/Payroll deployment that transformed a multi-system environment into an all-in-one solution - completed on time and on budget.
- Enhanced Leave of Absence policies across organization, standardizing practices for improved efficiency, cost savings, ensuring State and Federal compliance and implemented strategic outsourcing.
- Strengthened online content within HR knowledgebase providing transparency and lessening of employee inquiries into the HR Service Center.
- Key member of M&A team successfully managing HR/payroll conversion for 3 Company acquisitions within 4 years
- Presented with multiple promotions throughout career for consistently exceeding set performance expectations and in recognition of ability to excel in roles of higher responsibilities.
Timeline
Director, HR Shared Services
Horace Mann Service Corporation
01.2019 - Current
Manager, Payroll
Horace Mann Service Corporation
01.2016 - 12.2018
Senior Payroll Administrator
Horace Mann Service Corporation
01.2015 - 12.2015
HR Generalist
Horace Mann Service Corporation
01.2014 - 12.2014
HR Services Operations Specialist
Horace Mann Service Corporation
10.2011 - 12.2013
HR Associate
Horace Mann Service Corporation
03.2009 - 09.2011
HR Records Specialist
Horace Mann Service Corporation
07.2008 - 02.2009
Bachelor of Science - Employee Relations
Southern Illinois University