WILLIAM J. CLARKE
Temecula,USA
Summary
CAREER SNAPSHOT - Elite 20+ year Marine Corps Sergeant Major and top 5% performer and scholar, driving enterprisewide human capital strategy, workforce transformation, and organizational excellence. A trusted C-suite director and advisor skilled in aligning people, performance, and policy to optimize talent, elevate leadership, and build high-performing cultures in complex global operations. Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Sergeant Major
U.S. Marine Corps
San Diego, USA
01.2015 - Current
- Recognized for HR strategy and workforce planning for 500+ personnel, 500 million in equipment, & 200 million budget, ensuring operational readiness and career development growth.
- Directed talent acquisition, retention, and succession planning, exceeding hiring goals by 150-225% and achieving HR Department of the Year (2024).
- Spearheaded leadership development initiatives, coaching and mentoring high-potential employees, resulting in top 5% performance ratings in workplace climate surveys over 30 months.
- Designed and facilitated ethical leadership courses, training teams in conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and executive decision-making.
- Managed compensation planning and payroll administration, ensuring pay equity and compliance with organizational standards.
- Directed global HR operations and crisis response, leading 200+ personnel and managing $200M in assets across international assignments and oversaw global HR operations and crisis response efforts.
Senior Advisor | Training & Education Director
U.S. Marine Corps
Temecula, USA
01.2015 - Current
- Instructed over 60 professional courses and directed 30 command education programs, including 10 senior executive leadership courses.
Adjunct Instructor and Mentor, Senior Advisor's Course
U.S. Marine Corps University
03.2018 - 08.2019
- Teaching newly selected Senior Advisors for Chief Executive Officers a course focused on personnel management, senior leadership, organizational readiness, and training and education/curriculum development responsibilities.
Education
Master of Science - Education, Adult Education
Auburn University Graduate School
Graduate Certificate -
U. S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College
Quantico, VABachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, MDSkills
- Talent Optimization
- Paradox Navigator
- Strategic Partnership
- Workforce Planning
- Employee Engagement
- Budget Planning
- Succession Management
- Change Leadership
- Business Planning
- Leadership Development
- Organizational Development
- Executive Directing
- Retention Strategies
- Performance Culture
- Change Management
Professional Development
- Certified Ethical Leadership Instructor (Train the Trainer)
- Staff Planning, Legal Officer, Moral, Mental, and Physical Resiliency Instructor
- Drill Instructor, Operational Stress Control and Readiness Master Instructor
- Awareness and Prevention Integrated Training Master Instructor
- Marksmanship and Combat Water Survival Instructor
Signature Achievements
- Directed a team to a 200% surge in retention & readiness, earning 'Program of the Year'.
- Absorbed enterprise strategy beyond projected goals, earning 'Company of the Year'.
- Led an executive team to institution-high climate/culture annual survey results; #1 of 43.
Areas Of Specialization
- Leadership and Ethics
- Policy
- Law and Justice
- Human Resources
- Public Speaking
Curriculum And Institutional Development
- Integrated leadership analytics and readiness tracking into policy frameworks improving succession morale, performance, and planning.
- Directed crisis response curriculum and operational education programs during Operation Allies Refuge, influencing joint-service readiness standards.
- Recognized for developing policy-to-practice models aligning educational theory, leadership ethics, and workforce performance.
Honors And Awards
- Meritorious Service Medal
- 5 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals
- 2 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals
- 2 Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals
- 2 Humanitarian Service Medals
- 6 Academic Achievement (High GPA) Awards
- 10 Certificates of Commendation
- 17 Meritorious Masts
- 3 Letters of Commendation
- 4 Letters of Appreciation
- 4 Certificates of Appreciation
Profile Snapshot
Elite 20+ year Marine Corps Sergeant Major and top 5% performer and scholar, driving enterprisewide human capital strategy, workforce transformation, and organizational excellence. A trusted C-suite director and advisor skilled in aligning people, performance, and policy to optimize talent, elevate leadership, and build high-performing cultures in complex global operations. Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance., Workforce Planning, Succession Management, Leadership Development, Retention Strategies, Employee Engagement, Change Leadership, Organizational Development, Performance Culture, Budget Planning, Business Planning, Executive Directing, Change Management
Research
- Institutional Research, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, U. S. Marine Corps, 02/01/25, 06/30/25, Research factors in answering the question, 'How to influence Marines to conduct more physical fitness and live a healthier lifestyle.'
- Masters Research, Auburn University, 01/01/21, 12/31/21, Researched resiliency, young adults between 18-25 years old, and family, environmental, economic, and brain development factors.
- Institutional Research, 1st Marine Logistics Group, U. S. Marine Corps, 01/01/19, 08/31/19, Research factors focused on supervisor and senior supervisor performance, leadership, and character practice.
- Bachelor's Research, University of Maryland Global Campus, 05/01/14, 11/30/14, Researched South Sudan's economic shortfalls and how implementing a handheld water purification device will enhance survivability.
Timeline
Adjunct Instructor and Mentor, Senior Advisor's Course
U.S. Marine Corps University
03.2018 - 08.2019
Sergeant Major
U.S. Marine Corps
01.2015 - Current
Senior Advisor | Training & Education Director
U.S. Marine Corps
01.2015 - Current
Master of Science - Education, Adult Education
Auburn University Graduate School
Graduate Certificate -
U. S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
University of Maryland Global Campus