Sonya Ashton

Summary

Professional leader with executive experience ready to drive impactful change. Proven ability to implement strategic initiatives and enhance operational performance. Valued for collaborative team leadership and adaptability to evolving business needs.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Vice President /Senior HR Business Partner

Mind Bender Escape Rooms, LLC

Jacksonville Beach, FL

03.2015 - 09.2023

Planned recruitment events for interested applicants and organized onboarding activities for newly hired employees.
Posted well-written vacancy announcements using available recruitment tools to attract talented, highly skilled job applicants.
Hired and mentored core start-up team, working to outline initial company policies and procedures.
Streamlined operational efficiencies by coordinating staff development and succession planning.
Training and coaching of employees.
Conducted evaluations of training courses to uncover areas in need of improvement.
Resolving employee conflicts and issues.
Representing company in news articles and television appearances.
Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.

Vice President /Associate Director - HR

Reliable Rail Services, Inc.

Green Cove Springs, FL

08.2005 - 08.2017

Communicated duties, compensation, benefits and working conditions to all potential candidates, enabling better understanding of job expectations.
Negotiated candidate salaries and prepared employment contracts.
Planned and executed recruitment events to bring in area candidates.
Contacted all job applicants to inform of application status.
Organized applicant drug tests and obtained results.
Managed employee onboarding, training and development, including enriching internal and external training development of both online and traditional environments.
Assisted customer service with inbound and outbound calls regarding all HR inquiries.
Liaised with other management to devise and update policies based on changing industry and social trends.
Answered employee questions during entrance and exit interview processes.
Selected and interviewed candidates for all available positions.
Coached and guided staff by providing constructive feedback through assessments, long-term career growth opportunities and ongoing professional development which enhanced productivity, accelerated performance and retained talented personnel.
Resolved personnel issues regarding human resources matters needing clarification, submissions and corrections.
Created and implemented highly effective and individualized human resource solutions.

Education

Florida State College At Jacksonville

Jacksonville, FL

Edward H. White High School

Jacksonville, FL

Skills

Member of MENSA
Strong written and oral communications skills
Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of management and staff
Policy/program development
Financial planning and risk management
Budget development and oversight
Job cost accounting and reconciliations
General Ledger accounting
Contract negotiations
HR policy development
Recruiting, onboarding, and benefits enrollment

Supervision and training
Performance improvement
Team building
Organizational skills and schedule management
Quickbooks, Sage Peachtree, and SAP accounting systems
ADP, Gusto, & POA HRIS Systems
Microsoft Word, Excel, SQL, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and PowerPoint
Team leadership
Relationship building
Decision-making
Critical thinking

Education and Training

Jacksonville, FL,other,Jacksonville, FL,other

Timeline