Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Software
Timeline
previous experience
References
references
previous experience
References
references

Michelle A. Thompson

Martinez,CA

Summary

Accomplished, personable and empathetic People Executive with 15+ years of progressive HR experience and advanced knowledge of startup environment, building foundational people processes, recruitment and employee relations. Adept at developing and building strategic alliances with organizational leaders to support key business initiatives. Maintains strong stakeholder focus and service-oriented attitude with excellent organization and interpersonal skills to excel in multi-cultural environment.


Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Vice President of People

Onfleet, Inc (Start-up)
07.2020 - 12.2023
  • Spearheaded organizational restructuring initiatives, streamlining operations and reducing overhead costs.
  • Enhanced company profitability by implementing strategic business plans and optimizing operational processes.
  • Oversight of entire people function including talent management/acquisition, organizational design, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, culture, benefits and HRIS systems
  • Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
  • Created and implemented benchmarking, job leveling, career pathing and compensation band guidelines
  • Improved employee retention by implementing comprehensive onboarding programs and ongoing professional development opportunities.
  • Streamlined HR processes for increased efficiency by automating manual tasks and adopting advanced software solutions.
  • Reduced time-to-fill for open positions by optimizing recruitment strategies, building a strong internal talent acquisition team and leveraging strong relationships with external agencies, where applicable.
  • Continue to develop strong working relationships with employees while building trust with a track record of reliability, accountability, and empathy
  • Directly and consistently interface with all employees across the organization
  • Implemented performance management systems to monitor employee progress, providing actionable insights for improvement opportunities.
  • Coached and mentored leadership including executive level teams
  • Facilitated successful implementation of employee manual to cover company policies, disciplinary procedures, code of conduct, benefits information and enforcement to maintain legal and operational compliance.
  • Developed succession plans and promotion paths for staff.
  • Supported employee growth and development through the implementation of multiple programs designed to capture employee goals and feedback while providing comprehensive reviews and building long-term growth strategies
  • Lead hiring growth of 300% while participating in 95% of all new hire interviews.

Sr. People Operations Manager

Lightstep (Start-up)
06.2019 - 05.2020
  • Enhanced employee engagement by implementing innovative HR programs and initiatives.
  • Managed benefits administration tasks, ensuring accurate record-keeping and timely processing of enrollments, changes, and terminations.
  • Spearheaded onboarding initiatives that helped new hires acclimate quickly to the company culture and expectations.
  • Streamlined HR processes for increased efficiency and cost savings.
  • Directly administered all aspects of payroll and benefits
  • Provided company flexibility by maintaining multiple state registrations for a work force with 30% of staff working remotely
  • Directly interfaced with employees to handle concerns about HR matters
  • Managed visa processes with the assistance of outside legal counsel
  • Developed, updated, and implemented HR policy to meet the rapidly changing needs of a start-up operation
  • Supported employee growth and development through the implementation of multiple programs designed to capture employee goals and feedback while providing comprehensive reviews and building long-term growth strategies
  • Primary POC for all people function matters relating to vacation, compensation, HR systems, evaluations, benefits, and company HR protocols
  • Cut benefits costs by 30+%
  • Transitioned the company from PEO to a new HRIS platform

Head of People & Places

Euclid Analytics (Start-up)
02.2018 - 06.2019
  • Communicated long-term company vision and goals from the executive team as the HRBP
  • Partnered with managers to tackle difficult or sensitive HR matters with candor and discretion
  • Managed the full spectrum of talent operations from defining position needs to visa processes, on-boarding, compensation, benefits, and off-boarding
  • Developed strong working relationships with employees and built trust with a track record of reliability and accountability
  • Managed HR policy, legal compliance, and required reporting to state and federal agencies
  • Led employee development operations
  • Supported cost management and invoicing including AP/AR
  • Managed all facilities needs and vendor relationships, from budgets to furniture and supply requisitions
  • Improved overall process efficiency of operational systems by 20%
  • Cut office costs by 35% while creating a more efficient hiring system.

Director, People/Facilities/ Admin. Srvcs.

ApplePie Capital (Start-Up)
02.2017 - 02.2018
  • Developed and improved the efficiency of operational systems, processes, and policies
  • Led the management of HR best practices, policy design, program implementation, and process development
  • Design and implement vision/strategy for employee benefits programs and packages
  • Recruited and on-boarded new talent
  • Managed the employee stock option program
  • Provided mentorship and coaching to team members
  • Administer all core HR functions relating to talent and employee management
  • Carefully handled employee PII to ensure compliance with federal guidelines
  • Conducted exit interviews
  • Grew the product and engineering teams by 42%
  • Built-out and implemented a recruitment process designed for efficiency and impact.

Director, People Operations/Facilities

Keen IO (Start-up)
02.2014 - 12.2016
  • Oversaw core functions for HR and personnel development, including benefits, HR systems, evaluations, and talent management
  • Developed strategy for benefits and managed employee compensation
  • Served as facilities and project manager for 3 office relocations and remodels, as well as one major office build-out and expansion
  • Reviewed corporate charge accounts and tracked spending
  • Maintained employee records
  • As the first HR hire, built out a phenomenal HR operations team from the ground up
  • Mentored and coached team members
  • Administrated core HR functions for benefits and employee management.

Manager, People Operations/Offices/Facilities

Kaggle (Start-up)
09.2013 - 03.2014
  • Oversaw core functions for HR and personnel development, including benefits, HR systems, evaluations, and talent management
  • Developed strategy for benefits and managed employee compensation
  • Administered employee benefits and insurance
  • Arranged executive travel and handled all advance travel preparations
  • Reviewed corporate charge accounts and tracked spending
  • Maintained employee records
  • Led new hire orientations.

Sr. Manager, Office/Facilities

Ancestry.com
03.2009 - 09.2013
  • On-site HR liaison for employees
  • Led new hire orientations
  • Managed employee on-boarding and new hire paperwork completion
  • Provided office management and oversaw cost management and invoice payments
  • Managed facilities contractor and vendor relationships, with oversight of budgets, reviews and approvals
  • On-site IT coordinator
  • Arranged executive travel and travel advance preparation
  • Prepared expense reports
  • Project manager for executive events and on-site event planning
  • Sr
  • EA for seven executives
  • Facilities PM for 4 major office relocations
  • Assisted in office growth from 12 to over 200 employees.

Education

Human Resources Management

San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Skills

  • HR Operations & Technology
  • Leveling & Career Pathing
  • Payroll & Benefits Administration
  • Talent Acquisition & Management
  • Strategic Leadership
  • Coaching and Mentoring
  • Performance Management
  • Leadership Development
  • Employee Relations & Compliance
  • Compensation & Benchmarking
  • Employee Engagement
  • Change Management
  • Process Improvement
  • Recruiting and Hiring

Accomplishments

    Promotion to Vice President

    Promotion to Sr. Director


Affiliations

  • Photography
  • Coaching & Mentoring
  • Foundational HR

Software

Google Suite

Microsoft Word

Excel

Confluence

Adobe Acrobat

Applicant Tracking Systems

HRIS

Timeline

Vice President of People - Onfleet, Inc (Start-up)
07.2020 - 12.2023
Sr. People Operations Manager - Lightstep (Start-up)
06.2019 - 05.2020
Head of People & Places - Euclid Analytics (Start-up)
02.2018 - 06.2019
Director, People/Facilities/ Admin. Srvcs. - ApplePie Capital (Start-Up)
02.2017 - 02.2018
Director, People Operations/Facilities - Keen IO (Start-up)
02.2014 - 12.2016
Manager, People Operations/Offices/Facilities - Kaggle (Start-up)
09.2013 - 03.2014
Sr. Manager, Office/Facilities - Ancestry.com
03.2009 - 09.2013
San Jose State University - , Human Resources Management

previous experience

  • Manager, People Operations, Nest Naturals
  • EA to CEO & CSO, Cinterim
  • Sr. EA to Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
  • Manager, Office/Sr. EA/Event Coordinator to EVP, Wells Fargo Bank
  • Manager, Office/Sr. EA to Home Mortgage Division, Bank of America
  • Studio & District Operations Manager, Lifetouch Portrait Studios

References

References available upon request.

references

References Upon Request

previous experience

  • Manager, People Operations, Nest Naturals
  • EA to CEO & CSO, Cinterim
  • Sr. EA to Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
  • Manager, Office/Sr. EA/Event Coordinator to EVP, Wells Fargo Bank
  • Manager, Office/Sr. EA to Home Mortgage Division, Bank of America
  • Studio & District Operations Manager, Lifetouch Portrait Studios

References

References available upon request.

references

References Upon Request

Michelle A. Thompson