Michael Burkhart
Tucson,Arizona
Summary
Results-driven Human Resources Executive with 25 years of experience in senior housing and healthcare. Developed and implemented comprehensive HR programs across 80+ communities, enhancing employee engagement and optimizing performance. Skilled in strategic planning, team leadership, and fostering professional relationships to drive growth and achieve organizational goals.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Human Resource Practices & Compliance
WATERMARK RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, LLC
Tucson, USA
01.2023 - Current
- Serve as the National Director for HR programming and oversight on enforcement of Corporate Compliance standards and regulatory compliance.
- Resolved workplace disputes and conducted investigations on health, safety, and labor relations, ensuring compliance with regulations and fostering a positive work environment.
- Direct employment practices to assure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, implement best practices, review and modify policies and practices to maintain compliance.
- Lead employee-related litigation defense strategy with outside employment counsel.
- Coordinate representation by outside counsel regarding employment litigation matters.
- Draft, modify and implement new and revised company policies and handbook.
- Execute a comprehensive strategy on CBA negotiations.
- Direct resolution of Labor Relations matters including grievances and arbitrations.
- Assess the company’s acquisitions and divestitures to identify possible compliance risks.
- Prepare executive reports for Senior Management and external regulatory bodies and investors.
- Structure, design, and create Job Descriptions for, local, corporate and national roles.
- Structure the content of Human Resources annual audits and action plans.
- Oversee Corporate and Community-based HR KPIs and Project Management.
- Lead investigations related to HR-related corporate compliance investigations.
- Oversight of Regional HR Team handling of Disciplinary Peer Review and Problem-Solving procedures.
- Leadership on ADA-related matters and compliance.
- Create and deliver training related to the mitigation of employment litigation risk.
- Create and execute national severance agreements and RIF activities.
- Direct employee onboarding for acquisitions and development communities.
- Create and assure compliance with document management and data integrity within the HRIS System.
- Developed policies and procedures to ensure compliance with corporate standards.
- Identified opportunities for improvement in operational performance metrics.
- Negotiated agreements with external partners such as contractors or consultants.
- Coordinated activities with other departments to expedite work and improve collaboration.
- Represented the organization as a public spokesperson at industry events and conferences.
- Partnered with staff to create professional development plans to support personal and business growth.
- Assessed employee performance against established benchmarks or targets.
- Reviewed internal reports to identify compliance risks and potential cost-saving opportunities, providing actionable insights for management.
- Prepared presentations for board meetings summarizing key developments within the company.
- Implemented systems for tracking progress on key initiatives or projects.
- Coordinated resources across departments to maximize productivity levels.
- Identified opportunities for process optimization through data analysis.
- Monitored industry trends to identify opportunities for expansion and innovation.
- Managed crisis situations to minimize impact on operations and reputation.
- Represented the organization at industry events, conferences, and public meetings.
- Implemented new technologies to streamline processes and enhance productivity.
- Led cross-functional teams to drive project completion within budget and deadlines.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant regulations, policies and procedures.
- Analyzed data to inform decision-making and strategic direction.
- Negotiated high-value contracts with vendors and partners to optimize resource allocation.
- Promoted a culture of innovation and encouraged staff to contribute ideas.
- Coordinated with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with laws and standards.
- Spearheaded the development and launch of new products or services.
- Led change management efforts to adapt to market shifts and organizational needs.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Recruited and trained new employees to meet job requirements.
- Reviewed completed work to verify consistency, quality, and conformance.
- Reviewed employee performance and provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.
- Assigned work and monitored performance of project personnel.
- Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
- Planned and led team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.
- Produced thorough, accurate and timely reports of project activities.
- Planned and delivered training sessions to improve employee effectiveness and address areas of weakness.
- Evaluated individual and team business performance and identified opportunities for improvement.
- Mediated conflicts between employees and facilitated effective resolutions to disputes.
- Analyzed business performance data and forecasted business results for upper management.
- Proposed or approved modifications to project plans.
- Implemented quality control measures to uphold company standards.
National Director of Human Resources
WATERMARK RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, LLC
Tucson, USA
01.1998 - 01.2023
- Hired and managed a team of 9 Regional and National Human Resources Specialist to successfully deploy Human Resources, Benefits and Risk Mitigation roles.
- Implemented a bi-weekly meeting with 9 Human Resources professionals to discuss goals, updates, and challenges, increasing productivity and compliance across the department.
- Advise corporate leaders on critical capability and capacity gaps, short and long-term talent needs, compensation and employee development requirements and labor management strategies.
- Partnered with Executive leadership to proactively identify and implement strategic human management solutions and interventions across all functional areas ensuring KPI targets are met.
- Partnered with corporate leaders to implement and evolve HR service delivery model, enhancing organizational effectiveness.
- Collaborated with recruiting to ensure the acquisition, development and performance of leading local talent and partner with Regional HR members on the service delivery model to ensure sourcing, staffing and onboarding needs are met.
- Built the capability of direct reports and that of the broader company HR team, identifying and supporting them through their own development.
- Provided coaching to leadership on how to analyze and identify solutions to drive compliance and create greater organizational engagement.
- Streamlined non-value-added processes and identified efficiencies to enhance HR effectiveness.
- Built capability internally and coached senior leaders on effective talent, organizational and employee engagement strategies.
- Collaborated with corporate, regional and community leadership to achieve business results (e.g. HR Leader call, monthly HR regional meetings) and share best practices and successes.
- Served as senior HR advisor and expert with ability to influence decision of others; trusted confidante to Executive Team (e.g. sought out for personal and professional advice and counsel).
- Evaluated impact of HR decisions on the rest of the organization and communicate across the organization to create awareness and gain support for HR decisions.
- Provided leadership in building loyalty, trust and commitment throughout the organization (e.g. leads and participates in employee advocacy and engagement programs).
- Drove critical thinking and influencing discussions to create organizational harmony when confronting divergent positions.
- Effectively lead the pre-boarding, onboarding, orientation and assimilation process for new employees.
- Conducted needs assessments and developed training and development programs to achieve HR goals.
- Directed timely administration, development and communication of policies, regulations and legal mandates as stated by effective dates on document/policies, etc. Ensure responsible parties understand changes and any related actions.
- Directed HR planning and execution for over 80 acquisitions and 50 divestitures, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy.
- Directed compensation and benefits planning to implement timely and effective compensation and benefit policies and programs (e.g. annual enrollment, new hire and termination requirements, wellness initiatives, etc.).
- Advised on legal and ethics/compliance matters for multiple departments as the issues related to the enforcement of policies and procedures and legal compliance.
Regional Director of Human Resources – Southern Division
INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
01.1994 - 01.1998
- Led transitional leadership during and after 1998 acquisition of Horizon/CMS Healthcare, ensuring smooth integration and continuity of HR operations.
- Oversaw human resources and training programs at Horizon, implementing effective recruiting and management educational initiatives across Integrated Health Services facilities.
- Contributed to HR operations at Horizon/CMS Healthcare.
- Defended thirty-seven employment-based discrimination claims with various government agencies, achieving no findings of probable cause.
- Instrumental in developing and implementing substance abuse testing in multiple states.
- Defended thirty-seven employment-based discrimination claims with various government agencies with no findings of probable cause.
Director of Operations – Central Florida
KELLERMEYER CHEMICAL SERVICES, INC.
, USA
01.1993 - 01.1994
- Acquired new contracts totaling over $540,000 within six months, enhancing company portfolio.
- Drove sales of brand name cleaning solvents and equipment, contributing to revenue growth.
- Partnered with national industrial services and chemical distributor to expand and improve service offerings.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - Human Resources
University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio01.1992
Skills
- Labor and Employment Law
- Employment law compliance
- HR strategy
- Rewards strategy
- HRIS management
- Compliance auditing
- Employee Relations
- Strategic Human Resource Planning
- Total Rewards Strategies
- Multi-site experience
- Employee Value Proposition
- Employee Onboarding
- Multi-State/Multi-Site Experience
- Labor relations management
- Conflict resolution
- Change management
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Executive Management
- Corporate communications
- Risk management
- Team leadership
- Regulatory compliance
- Relationship Building
- Multitasking and organization
- Training development
Accomplishments
National Award Winner for Associate of The Year
Affiliations
Volunteer - Catholic Diocese of Tucson
Timeline
Director of Human Resource Practices & Compliance
WATERMARK RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, LLC
01.2023 - Current
National Director of Human Resources
WATERMARK RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, LLC
01.1998 - 01.2023
Regional Director of Human Resources – Southern Division
INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
01.1994 - 01.1998
Director of Operations – Central Florida
KELLERMEYER CHEMICAL SERVICES, INC.
01.1993 - 01.1994
Bachelor of Business Administration - Human Resources
University of Toledo