Nicole Stokes
Schererville,IN
Summary
Optimistic and technology-minded HR executive with dynamic 20-year career building empowered workforces. Leverage best practices to establish new HR practices and streamline existing HR offerings. Built centralized recruiting process from scratch and served as executive sponsor for HRIS system buildout. Elevated team productivity by leveraging KPIs to monitor performance and building positive, cohesive culture. Established staffing/recruiting consulting offering and secured major clients by collaborating with sales teams.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Talent Acquisition
University Of Illinois Chicago
09.2022 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership for the area of Recruitment & Talent Management for 1400+ Civil Service positions for University and UI Health. Oversee a team of 17 HR professionals.
- Implementation team for Applicant Tracking System and Job Description System. Serve on Executive Steering Team, made decisions on integration priority, design and timeline.
- Conducted business process improvement evaluation of Recruitment process, implemented process and structure changes and established service level expectations. Increased transparency in recruitment process.
- Leverage data analytics to create recruiting reports.
- Elevated employee engagement and team cohesiveness by transforming culture into positive experience.
- Held team building activities and instituted regular interactive meetings and events.
- Successfully advocated for changes to SUCSS including transcript requirement and changes in testing requirements for applicants.
- Consult with campus units and UI Health on complex employee issues and determine appropriate steps to resolve issues.
- Create policies and update existing policies both at UIC and U of I System.
Director of Human Resources
Edovo
07.2021 - 08.2022
- Oversee 1 direct report and social committee of 4 in building out and implementing HR initiatives, systems, and processes for remote workforce of 40 employees.
- Provide leadership coaching for employee relations, performance management, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
- Nurtured cohesive culture for remote workforce through virtual and in-person discussions and events.
- Built centralized recruiting process from scratch by establishing best-in-class talent acquisition policies and serving as project sponsor and leader for HRIS system buildout, including payroll, benefits, and ATS.
- Established diverse workforce by partnering with hiring managers during recruiting process.
- Enhanced organizational design by coaching leadership team on communications and change management.
- Optimized employee benefits by researching top-tier vendors and negotiating contracts.
- Processed employee claims involving performance issues and harassment.
- Supported executive leadership team with coaching and development initiatives aimed at improving overall performance levels.
- Identified and implemented appropriate strategies to increase employee satisfaction and retention.
Talent Acquisition Lead
Alverno Laboratories
02.2019 - 06.2021
- Promoted to oversee 4 direct reports and overall team of 9 in rebuilding recruiting and onboarding processes.
- Built and managed matrixed team of recruiters who supported 35 work locations across 2 states.
- Conducted peer reviews and leadership training.
- Grew new hires 30% in first year by spearheading centralized end-to-end recruiting process for all corporate functions.
- Acted as strategic HR business partner to corporate leadership, advising on employee relations.
- Elevated team productivity by leveraging KPIs to monitor performance improvement and team goals.
- Reduced days to hire 75%, from 120+ to 30 days, by streamlining process and elevating employer brand.
- Developed and implemented onboarding and orientation programs for new employees.
- Shortened onboarding time 80%, from 2 weeks to 48 hours, by automating process.
- Established strong employer branding through strategic marketing efforts, such as social media campaigns and engaging career site content.
- Built strong relationships with industry professionals through networking events and association memberships.
- Worked alongside global business leader to deploy new training strategies.
- Negotiated contracts and managed budget for recruiting expenses.
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Alverno Laboratories
08.2016 - 02.2019
- Evaluated resumes, interviewed, and presented qualified candidates to hiring managers and solicited feedback to refine recruiting strategy.
- Acted as advisor and business partner to hiring managers and provided proactive service and prompt issue resolution.
- Developed monthly/quarterly employee data reports, planned job fair participation, and directed relocation and employee referral programs.
- Established culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion by training 30 leaders and 8 HR personnel.
- Facilitated successful onboarding for 30–40 new hires by offering help and delivering presentations.
- Created effective talent acquisition training materials that supported culture and performance objectives.
- Administered employee benefits programs and assisted with open enrollment.
- Conducted regular training sessions for hiring managers on effective interviewing techniques, unconscious bias awareness, legal compliance in recruiting practices, among others.
Special Client Recruiter
Keystone Advisors
06.2015 - 08.2016
- Served as team lead for Central and East Coast regional recruiting needs
- Set hiring goals based on client needs.
- Established staffing and recruiting offering, secured major contract, and ensured successful delivery of services.
- Trained junior recruiters on best practices, contributing to overall team success and improved efficiency.
- Implemented innovative sourcing strategies that led to the discovery of top talent in competitive markets.
Staffing/Recruitment Technologist
Nielsen
03.2011 - 06.2015
- Served as recruiter and super user troubleshooting and training others on HRIS systems.
- Collaborated with hiring managers to create job postings and built relationships with university career centers to develop pipeline.
- Improved end-user experience with targeted training sessions and ongoing support, resulting in increased user proficiency and satisfaction.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZMBA - Human Resources
Strayer University
Herndon, VASkills
- HR Metrics and Analytics
- Data-driven decision-making
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Employee Relations
- Organizational Development
- Workforce Planning
- Applicant Tracking Systems
- Compensation analysis
- Talent management
- Leadership Training and Development
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Succession Planning
Certification
- SHRM-CP - SHRM Certified Professional
Timeline
Director of Talent Acquisition
University Of Illinois Chicago
09.2022 - Current
Director of Human Resources
Edovo
07.2021 - 08.2022
Talent Acquisition Lead
Alverno Laboratories
02.2019 - 06.2021
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Alverno Laboratories
08.2016 - 02.2019
Special Client Recruiter
Keystone Advisors
06.2015 - 08.2016
Staffing/Recruitment Technologist
Nielsen
03.2011 - 06.2015
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
MBA - Human Resources
Strayer University
- SHRM-CP - SHRM Certified Professional
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