Hi, I’m
TERESA SALAZAR
San Diego,CA
Summary
Accomplished Vice President of Human Resources with 14 years of experience leading human resources operations and organizational planning. Well-versed in employment laws, performance appraisals, salary structure and benefits program management. Seasoned expert at protecting company interests and building successful office culture to promote employee retention and performance.
Overview
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Cook Solutions GroupSan Diego, CA
Vice President of Human Resources
01.2017 - 04.2023
Job overview
- Leads vision, strategy, and execution for all facets of Human Resources for over 420 employees in 11 states, with a scope of accountability that includes recruiting, hiring, employee and labor relations, compensation frameworks, and employee benefits
- Assumes a lead role maintaining compliance with a complex landscape of legal and regulatory requirements at the local, state, and federal levels
- Serves on the executive leadership team, providing guidance and direction on HR and compliance matters to senior leaders across seven divisions
- Maintains a strong workforce aligned with the needs of the business through succession planning and the development of clear career progression pathways
- Introduced analytics and reporting on HR metrics, identifying opportunities to lower costs, reduce Time to Hire, and increase employee engagement
- Administers all HR policies and procedures, and maintains compliance with internal codes of conduct in the handbook
- Orchestrates employee relations issues and internal investigations
- Modernized HR workflows, transitioning from manual paper-based processes to digital formats to improve efficiency, productivity, and cost effectiveness
- Captured a 5% reduction in benefits administration costs and 401(k) fees
- Delivered a flawless record of 11 consecutive years of zero adverse legal actions.
- Worked with department managers to assess needs.
- Facilitated delivery of HR services by establishing and maintaining positive relationships with teams and leadership across organization.
- Developed hiring and recruitment policies to drive transparent and fair hiring process for selecting candidates on basis of merit and relevance with job.
Cook Solutions GroupPortland, OR
Human Resources Manager
10.2011 - 01.2017
Job overview
- Hired to oversee a broad variety of Human Resources initiatives focused on employee relations, recruitment, training, discipline up to and including terminations, and compliance with labor and employment laws
- Cultivated an environment of strong employee engagement through special events and incentive programs
- Managed the process for visas and green card applications to support employee mobility requests for international and domestic assignments
- Transitioned the company’s PTO policy to a standard vacation / sick day plan, merging five plans into a single program while capturing cost savings
- Also introduced leave plans that were easier to manage by department leaders
- Introduced HR best practices to lower outstanding Worker’s Compensation claims to a historic low of less than 1%.
- Handled sensitive employee and company information with highest level of confidentiality and discretion.
- Worked with management to create performance measurement, employee development and employee compensation strategies.
- Investigated workplace issues with professionalism and sensitivity and detailed incidents in reports to senior executives.
- Encouraged open communications, promoting positive and pro-employee work environment.
- Recruited new employees and built relationships, driving visibility.
WILLAMETTE VIEWPORTLAND, OR
Human Resources Generalist
08.2008 - 10.2011
Job overview
- Recruited for roles throughout this retirement community, posting advertisements, facilitating job fairs, reviewing applications, booking interviews, and writing offer letters
- Assumed a lead role in new employee orientation and onboarding
- Completed training in compensation and benefits, leaves of absence, protection from harassment in the workplace, team building, and customer service
- Revised the presentation and documents for the Compensation Committee’s quarterly review
- Managed unemployment claims while supporting safety initiatives and Worker’s Compensation claims
- Maintained compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations to safeguard the community from risk and liability.
- Maintained records of payroll forms, leave notifications, employee files, benefits information and workers' compensation files.
- Conducted background checks, reference checks and employment verification.
- Supported top talent identification processes by interviewing candidates and executing onboarding, orientation and benefits processes.
- Worked on 401(k) administration, FMLA and workers' compensation claims and benefits.
- Facilitated talent acquisition, becoming instrumental in building and retaining high-caliber teams.
Education
WARNER PACIFIC COLLEGE
Master of Science Degree from Management & Organizational Leadership
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science Degree from Business Administration & Management
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- ADP Workforce Now
- Paychex HR Online
- Regulatory Compliance
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Leadership Training and Development
- Human Capital Management
- Human Resource Information System HRIS
- Data and Trends Analysis
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Staff Compensation
- Advising Department Managers
- Relationship Building
- Employee Development
- Hiring and Onboarding
- Problem-Solving
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Administering Disciplinary Procedures
- Employee Relations Oversight
- Training Needs Analysis
- Cross Functional Collaboration
- Conflict Resolution
- Budget Administration
- Program Analysis
- Performance Management Systems
Affiliations
Member, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Member, Peer 150 Human Resources Conferences and Speaking Engagements Speaker, Leadership Conference Attendee, Balancing Act: Driving & Embracing Cultural Transformations.
Accomplishments
- Designed, developed, and successfully implemented internal training programs across the organization
- LED THE implementation of THE LMS 365 learning platform to track training related to core competencies
- Restructured the reward and recognition program to maintain an 87% retention rate
- Directed Human Resources to support more than 420 employees in 11 states
- Focused efforts on the acquisition, development and culture of the best talent, critical drivers to achieve Cook Solutions Group goal of becoming the best place to work in the Tech & Financial industry
- Completed training in compensation and benefits, leaves of absence, protection from harassment in the workplace, team building, and customer service.
Timeline
Vice President of Human Resources
Cook Solutions Group
01.2017 - 04.2023
Human Resources Manager
Cook Solutions Group
10.2011 - 01.2017
Human Resources Generalist
WILLAMETTE VIEW
08.2008 - 10.2011
WARNER PACIFIC COLLEGE
Master of Science Degree from Management & Organizational Leadership
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science Degree from Business Administration & Management
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