Quentin Merritt
West Haven
Summary
Mission-driven and results-focused HR and Talent Acquisition professional skilled at blending hands-on recruiting with strategic leadership, delivering talent solutions, career pathways, and performance frameworks that empower employees, and fuel business results. Proven success in delivering innovative HR programs, managing employee experience, and transforming processes for efficiency, engagement, and measurable impact.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Operations & Events
Refinery 51
Poughkeepsie
06.2024 - 12.2025
- Successfully recruited and onboarded all required staff within 90 days with optimized hiring workflows.
- Cultivated a high-performance team environment by training supervisors on management strategies.
- Realized a 17% reduction in operating costs through improved scheduling and vendor negotiations.
- Drove a 40% increase in weekly revenue over six months through operational efficiencies and engagement efforts.
- Led comprehensive launch of new bar-restaurant concept, managing all operational facets.
- Oversaw front and back-of-house operations, focusing on customer satisfaction and profit margins.
- Executed initiatives for brand growth to enhance visibility within the community.
Generalist, Human Resources
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Rye Brook
02.2023 - 05.2024
- Executed daily HR operational support, integrating HRIS, employee relations, and organizational development.
- Mediated coaching sessions for managers regarding performance issues, conflict resolution and effective disciplinary measures.
- Generated people management metrics via HRIS for informed talent review discussions.
- Delivered advisory services on performance management aligned with compliance requirements.
- Assisted in workforce planning from hiring to onboarding while promoting DEI-focused strategies.
Manager, Talent Acquisition & Internal Mobility
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Rye Brook
10.2021 - 02.2023
- Managed full-cycle recruitment alongside internal mobility programs for diverse departments and regions.
- Oversaw a distributed team of 5 to 7 recruiters and contractors, driving efficiency.
- Ensured accurate ATS administration while maintaining compliance with regulations.
- Produced monthly dashboards monitoring KPIs such as time-to-fill and DEI effectiveness.
- Collaborated with HR COEs on initiatives related to onboarding, compensation, and organizational development.
Recruiter/Senior Recruiter
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Rye Brook
10.2017 - 10.2021
- Improved time-to-fill by 15% and offer acceptance rate to 95%, directing full-cycle recruitment efforts, sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding, for over 400 national and local hires.
- Improved team alignment by 20% and reduced vacancy duration across key departments by 17%, designing and implementing strategic talent acquisition plans in partnership with department heads.
- Coordinated and represented LLS at college career fairs, diversity hiring conferences, and community job events, significantly boosting employer brand visibility.
- Ensured a consistent candidate experience and compliance with all onboarding procedures, including background checks, documentation, and policy adherence.
- Delivered a personalized candidate experience for candidates involved in the hiring process.
Account Manager/Technical Recruiter
Software Guidance & Assistance Inc
Tarrytown
12.2014 - 04.2017
- Client-facing business development and recruitment professional, consistently exceeding sales and placement targets in a fast-paced technical staffing environment.
- Delivered staffing solutions to enterprise clients across the United States by blending strong relationship-building, full-cycle recruiting expertise, and a deep understanding of workforce needs across multiple industries.
Education
Communications, Business Economics
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, NYSkills
- Applicant tracking systems
- Performance management
- Employee relations
- Onboarding
- Conflict resolution
- Process improvements
- Employee motivation
- Hiring and onboarding
- Internal mobility
- Talent development
- Relationship management
- Workforce planning
- Leadership
- Recruitment
- Talent acquisition
- Coaching
- Vendor negotiation
- Candidate Experience
- Employee Experience
Timeline
Director of Operations & Events
Refinery 51
06.2024 - 12.2025
Generalist, Human Resources
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
02.2023 - 05.2024
Manager, Talent Acquisition & Internal Mobility
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
10.2021 - 02.2023
Recruiter/Senior Recruiter
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
10.2017 - 10.2021
Account Manager/Technical Recruiter
Software Guidance & Assistance Inc
12.2014 - 04.2017
Communications, Business Economics
SUNY Cortland