Valerie Farrar
Upper Marlboro,MD
Summary
Achieved significant improvements in employee engagement and retention through innovative talent acquisition strategies. Proven track record in budget management and cross-functional collaboration, driving organizational success and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Director
Prince George's County Human Resources Management
12.2024 - Current
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
- Enhanced data-driven decision-making by implementing advanced analytics and reporting tools.
Deputy Director
Prince George's County Human Resources Management
03.2024 - Current
- Fostered a positive work environment by promoting collaboration, transparency, and open communication among team members.
- Developed strategic plans to achieve organizational goals, ensuring alignment with the county's mission and vision.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to successfully execute large-scale projects on time and within budget constraints.
- Completed a county-wide classification and compensation audit, and established a three-year implementation (in collaboration with a consultant).
- Monitored performance metrics, analyzing trends to identify areas requiring attention or improvement.
- Oversaw project management efforts, ensuring timely completion of projects within allocated budgets and scope.
- Optimized team productivity by providing ongoing training and support for staff members.
- Increased overall efficiency by identifying areas of improvement and implementing necessary changes.
- Advanced professional development opportunities for staff members through targeted training programs designed to build skills essential for success in their roles.
- Evaluated program effectiveness using data-driven approaches, making adjustments as needed to optimize results.
Associate Director for Talent Management
Prince George's County Human Resources Management
08.2023 - 03.2024
- Led five division managers with twenty-five personnel, supervising daily performance as well as training and improvement plans.
- Reduced time-to-hire metrics by 30% by optimizing recruiting processes, utilizing technology, and streamlining candidate screening methods.
- Established a short-term recruitment and retention Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan.
- Established the Youth@Work Internship Program where young adults obtain experiential experience which leads to temporary or full time employment.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging staff to share innovative ideas and providing resources for professional development.
- Trained and developed department leaders and management staff for specific projects and ongoing operational needs.
- Established strong relationships with key industry partners, creating mutually beneficial opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Oversaw annual budget planning processes, ensuring financial goals were met while maintaining optimal resource allocation across departments.
- Maintained compliance with industry regulations while adapting to changes in legislation or best practices as needed.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
Human Resources Manager
Prince George's County Human Resources Management
02.2011 - 08.2023
- Collaborated with executive leadership to align HR initiatives with overall business goals and objectives.
- Managed three divisions including classification and compensation, talent acquisition, and examinations.
- Maintained company compliance with local, state, and federal laws, in addition to established organizational standards.
- Led the county's summer youth enrichment program, providing over 6,000 youth with job training and employment opportunities.
- Facilitated onboarding sessions and on-the-job training for new hires, bolstering employee job position knowledge and skillset.
- Facilitated open communication channels between employees and management by conducting regular town hall meetings or roundtable discussions.
- Implemented performance reviews and motivational strategies to elevate HR team results.
- Spearheaded successful recruitment campaigns, attracting top-tier talent to fill key company positions.
- Promoted diversity and inclusion within the workplace by initiating targeted training programs and implementing inclusive hiring practices.
- Facilitated successful organizational restructuring, ensuring smooth transitions and minimal disruption to operations.
- Designed and executed leadership development programs, preparing high-potential employees for future management roles.
- Conducted salary and market benchmarking analyses to ensure competitive compensation and attract top talent.
- Facilitated successful policy implementation and enforcement to maintain legal and operational compliance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne, MD05-1988
Skills
- Team building
- Project management
- Talent acquisition
- Visionary leadership
- Budget management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Performance evaluation
- Decision-making
- People management
- Employee development
Accomplishments
- Awarded $2 million dollar congressional grant award through the U.S. Dept. of Labor to enhance the Youth@Work Internship and summer opportunities (July 2023 - June 2025).
- Awarded $3 million dollar congressional grant award through the U.S. Dept. of Labor to enhance the Youth@Work Internship and summer opportunities (July 2024 - June 2027).
- Reduced time to fill metrics by 30% in first year of implementation after modifying the recruitment process.
- Completed a county-wide classification and compensation study, with the guidance of a consultant.
Timeline
Acting Director
Prince George's County Human Resources Management
12.2024 - Current
Deputy Director
Prince George's County Human Resources Management
03.2024 - Current
Associate Director for Talent Management
Prince George's County Human Resources Management
08.2023 - 03.2024
Human Resources Manager
Prince George's County Human Resources Management
02.2011 - 08.2023
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
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