Hi, I’m
NICOLE B. VAN HARKEN
West Milford,NJ
Work Preference
Summary
HR and business operations professional with experience coordinating onboarding, employee lifecycle processes, training, documentation, scheduling, cross-functional projects, and customer-facing operations. Recognized for bringing structure to complex processes, learning new systems quickly, and building strong relationships with employees, vendors, and stakeholders. Experienced supporting organizational change, coordinating multiple priorities, and improving operational efficiency in healthcare, nonprofit, retail, and community organizations. Currently pursuing a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership with a Human Resources focus.
Overview
1
Certification
16
years of professional experience
1
Language
Work History
Arden CourtsWayne, NJ
Lifestyle Enrichment Coordinator
01.2025 - 01.2026
Job overview
- Coordinated onboarding activities, employee scheduling, payroll support, documentation, and daily operational workflows within a healthcare environment.
- Maintained accurate HRIS-related records, compliance documentation, staffing schedules, and operational reports.
- Worked across multiple departments to coordinate staffing needs, schedules, resident services, and daily priorities.
- Trained and coached employees on procedures, communication practices, and workflow expectations.
- Managed multiple competing priorities while maintaining exceptional service and operational accuracy.
Mahwah Township Senior CenterMahwah, NJ
Senior Center Coordinator
01.2023 - 01.2025
Job overview
- Managed daily operations for a community center serving more than 3,000 members.
- Recruited, onboarded, trained, and scheduled more than 30 instructors, contractors, and volunteers.
- Coordinated hundreds of programs, events, and community initiatives while managing timelines, logistics, vendors, registrations, and communications.
- Maintained reports, documentation, registrations, payments, and operational records with a strong attention to detail.
- Partnered with municipal departments, vendors, and community organizations to successfully execute projects and improve services.
- Identified workflow improvements that increased efficiency and enhanced the customer experience.
Artis Senior LivingChestnut Ridge, NY
Director of the Artis Way Experience
01.2022 - 01.2023
Job overview
- Supported onboarding, training, scheduling, and employee engagement initiatives for more than 50 employees.
- Coordinated projects involving nursing, dining, maintenance, housekeeping, marketing, and executive leadership.
- Developed training materials, documentation, and standardized processes to improve operational consistency.
- Assisted leadership with recruiting, employee engagement, retention initiatives, and workforce planning.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining compliance with organizational standards.
JOANN Fabric & Craft StoresRiverdale, NJ
Key Holder & Instructor
01.2021 - 01.2025
Job overview
- Served as Manager on Duty responsible for daily store operations, scheduling support, customer issue resolution, and team coordination.
- Trained new employees on operational procedures, customer service, and company expectations.
- Coordinated workshops and educational classes while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Maintained operational standards, inventory flow, and cash handling procedures.
Education
University of Colorado Boulder
Master of Science from Organizational Leadership, Human Resources & People Operations
01.2027
University Overview
William Paterson University of New Jersey
Bachelor of Arts from Leadership & Professional Studies, Management
01.2026
University Overview
Certificate: HR Management (SHRM-Aligned)
Skills
- Client Onboarding
- Implementation Support
- Project Coordination
- HR Operations
- Employee Lifecycle
- Administration
- Training & Onboarding
- HRIS Administration
- Payroll Support
- Documentation & Compliance
- Process Improvement
- Customer Relationship Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Business Process Coordination
- Vendor Coordination
- Scheduling & Workforce Administration
- Reporting & Data Accuracy
- Microsoft Suite
- Google Suite
- Workday
- UKG
- ADP Employee Self Service
- Oracle
- SAP Concur
Certification
- SHRM-CP Candidate
- HR Management Certificate (SHRM-Aligned)
- BLS/CPR Certified
- Former New Jersey Emergency Medical Technician
Availability
See my work availability
Not Available
Available
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
- Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award
- Bronze Congressional Award
- Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society
- Sigma Iota Epsilon Management Honor Society
- Dean's List
Quote
The path changed. The purpose didn't.
Affiliations
Affiliations
- Alpha Sigma Lamba Honor Society
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Websites
Timeline
Lifestyle Enrichment Coordinator
Arden Courts
01.2025 - 01.2026
Senior Center Coordinator
Mahwah Township Senior Center
01.2023 - 01.2025
Director of the Artis Way Experience
Artis Senior Living
01.2022 - 01.2023
Key Holder & Instructor
JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores
01.2021 - 01.2025
William Paterson University of New Jersey
Bachelor of Arts from Leadership & Professional Studies, Management
University of Colorado Boulder
Master of Science from Organizational Leadership, Human Resources & People Operations