VERONICA LARKIN
Marietta,GA
Summary
Strategic and transformational HR Executive with 15+ years of experience building and scaling people operations across high-growth startups, global expansions, and post-acquisition environments. Highly skilled at both building HR infrastructure from the ground up and optimizing systems at scale, designing performance-driven cultures, and aligning talent strategy with business goals. Proven ability to lead multi-entity integration, implement enterprise-level HR technologies, and drive performance management across global teams. Successfully supported complex international operations, including high-profile productions such as House of the Dragon, Black Adam, Barbie, Silo, and global media broadcasts. A trusted advisor to executive leadership, passionate about driving business success through people-first strategy, operational excellence, and scalable infrastructure.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of HR & Business Operations (Contract)
Lori’s Paving
Marietta, GA
07.2024 - Current
- Brought in on a contract basis to establish the company’s first formal HR infrastructure, reporting directly to the CEO during a critical phase of organizational restructuring and financial optimization
- Designed and launched the organization’s first Employee Handbook, codifying key HR policies, performance expectations, and compliance practices
- Developed and implemented comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for field operations, equipment maintenance, transportation, and crew scheduling to improve job site efficiency and accountability
- Partnered with leadership to analyze personnel performance, identifying gaps in managerial capability and launching targeted leadership training for Foremen and Crew Leads
- Introduced performance improvement plans and corrective action protocols to establish consistency in field-level management expectations
- Collaborated with accounting and operations to implement real-time cost tracking enhancing reporting accuracy and project profitability insights
- Contributed to the investor pitch deck, outlining strategic 30/60/90-day and 12-month goals to strengthen operational and financial performance
Director of HR
Lux Machina (Acquired by NEP Group)
Los Angeles, CA
01.2021 - 07.2024
- Hired as the company’s first-ever HR leader to build the HR function from the ground up, establishing foundational systems, policies, and programs to support growth
- Implemented Lux Machina’s first HRIS platform, created and launched their first-ever benefits and retirement plans, and introduced best-in-class HR practices
- Oversaw talent strategy and staffing for domestic and international production teams, including high-profile projects such as Shazam, Black Adam, Megalopolis, and major global events in Korea (League of Legends) and Saudi Arabia (Battle of the Baddest)
- Played a key role in the launch of the company’s UK operations, hiring and onboarding talent for projects such as House of the Dragon, Masters of the Air, Hijack, Silo, and Barbie
- Led all HR and operational due diligence during NEP’s acquisition of Lux, including audits, org design, benefits and payroll integrations, and transition communications
- Following acquisition, appointed HR Director for a newly formed division that included Lux Machina, Halon Entertainment (Los Angeles & UK), and Prysm Stages (Atlanta) — supporting a combined workforce of 400+ across international locations
- Oversaw the full HR lifecycle, including recruitment, performance management, employee relations, benefits, compliance, and workforce planning across three production entities
- Managed multiple reductions in force with empathy and compliance during challenging periods in the industry
- Partnered with executive leadership to align talent strategy with business goals while navigating post-acquisition transitions and organizational restructuring
- Enhanced employee experience by launching a new global intranet hub for policies, benefits, payroll, and internal communications
Director of Administration
H&X Technologies
07.2017 - 12.2019
- Joined at company inception to build and lead HR and Administrative functions, establishing policies, compliance procedures, and infrastructure to support growth
- Stepped in as Interim CFO during a year-long medical leave, overseeing all financial reporting, cash flow management, audits, and monthly performance updates to global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan
- Transitioned payroll from an external PEO to an internal HRIS platform, improving data accuracy and reporting capabilities while saving the company over $50,000 annually
- Managed full-cycle HR operations including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, benefits, and compliance with federal and state regulations
- Led job costing and financial analysis initiatives, maintaining project-level budget vs
- Actual reports to provide executive leadership with profitability insights and forecasting support
- Directed procurement processes and negotiated vendor agreements, improving operational efficiency and reducing overhead
- Successfully navigated a company-wide financial audit during the CEO’s extended leave, ensuring full transparency and compliance under pressure
Director of HR
Grow More
07.2015 - 07.2017
- Provided strategic HR leadership across all functions, ensuring compliance with employment laws and alignment with company objectives during a period of rapid growth
- Designed and implemented a structured performance management process, facilitating transparent goal-setting and annual reviews to drive accountability and development
- Led the evaluation and overhaul of the company’s benefits package, negotiating cost-effective plans that improved employee satisfaction and retention
- Partnered with executive leadership on organizational restructures, optimizing workforce alignment to support evolving business priorities and operational needs
- Served as a trusted advisor to management and employees on HR strategy, conflict resolution, and policy creation
Education
Master of Science - Organizational Development
Strayer University
05-2015
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Strayer University
05-2010
Skills
- Strategic HR Leadership
- Global Expansion & Integration
- Organizational Development
- Employee Relations & Compliance
- HRIS Implementation
- Bilingual (Spanish/English)
- Performance Management
- Workforce Planning
- Leadership Training & Development
- Benefits administration
Timeline
Director of HR & Business Operations (Contract)
Lori’s Paving
07.2024 - Current
Director of HR
Lux Machina (Acquired by NEP Group)
01.2021 - 07.2024
Director of Administration
H&X Technologies
07.2017 - 12.2019
Director of HR
Grow More
07.2015 - 07.2017
Master of Science - Organizational Development
Strayer University
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Strayer University
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