Human Resources Manager
Resume:
KURT A. FUNKE
Newton, Iowa 50208 ___
******@***********.***
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Seasoned communicator with more than 25 years of professional experience
producing effective messaging and solutions for both internal and external
audiences. Strong, creative writer skilled in developing strategic
communications plans relating to organizational changes, human resources
issues and other business initiatives.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
AVIVA USA, West Des Moines, Iowa
Internal Communications Consultant, Corporate Affairs
2009-2010
. Developed senior leadership communications for company president and
CEO, and direct reporting staff. Managed two-way communication vehicle
allowing employees to submit questions to top leadership, preparing
appropriate responses on a weekly basis.
. Provided communications planning and lead-writing support for various
business-related announcements, including strategic reorganizations
and human resources projects.
. Prepared and managed daily content for Aviva USA portion of global
intranet with an audience of more than 2,000 employees and
contractors, providing company-related news and information.
. Created communications supporting annual employee survey, achieving
95% participation rate.
. Served as consultant to various company business units in
communicating diverse array of high-visibility business projects,
strategic initiatives and announcements.
AVIVA USA, Des Moines, Iowa
Consultant, Corporate Affairs Communications (self-employed)
2007-2009
. Produced various communications for senior leadership, including key
messages for company president and CEO.
. Developed communications plans for various business initiatives,
including company's new U.S. headquarters building project in West Des
Moines, Iowa, and various strategic outsourcing initiatives.
. Prepared and managed content (minimum three stories daily) for Aviva
USA intranet with an audience of more than 2,000 employees and
contractors, providing company-related news and information.
. Created communications supporting company's annual employee survey,
achieving strong participation rates (93% - 2007; 97% - 2008).
. Led planning and execution of several employee events, including
company's annual United Way fundraising activities, and program
providing winter apparel to approximately 300 underprivileged
elementary school children in Des Moines.
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Newton, Iowa
Manager, Strategic Communications
2006-2007
. Provided strategic communications support during acquisition of Maytag
Corporation by Whirlpool Corporation.
. Assisted in development of strategic internal communications plans
associated with announced closure of three laundry appliance
production operations, impacting more than 2,700 employees; and sale
of floor care operations, affecting more than 3,200 employees.
. Coordinated communications of company benefits and human resources
policy changes associated with the Maytag-Whirlpool merger.
KURT A. FUNKE ________ ______________________
______ Page Two
MAYTAG CORPORATION, Newton, Iowa
Manager, Strategic Communications
2005-2006
. Developed strategic communications plans for major company
initiatives, including acquisitions; organizational restructuring; and
closure of major production operations.
. Created internal key messages for chairman and CEO associated with
quarterly sales and earnings releases, and accompanying
employee Town Hall Meeting presentations.
. Prepared external remarks for chairman and CEO coinciding with
presentations to financial analysts.
. Assisted in content management, including researching, writing and
editing articles for corporation's intranet with an audience of more
than 5,000 salaried employees.
. Exclusively coordinated internal employee events, including goal-
achieving fundraising events benefiting charitable organizations; and
other successful employee morale-building activities.
MAYTAG CORPORATION, Newton, Iowa
Manager, Communications
2004-2005
. Assisted in development of strategic communications plans for major
company initiatives, including corporation-wide organizational
restructuring, resulting in the elimination of 1,100 salaried
positions; and labor negotiations at two unionized production
operations.
. Led initiative with site communicators to standardize best-practice
content and design processes for employee newsletters at all company
manufacturing locations.
. Created and coordinated internal employee events, including brand- and
product-related launches; goal-achieving fundraising events benefiting
local charitable organizations; United Way kick-off events and other
successful employee morale-building activities.
MAYTAG APPLIANCES, Newton, Iowa
Supervisor, Employee Communications
1989-2004
. Independently created monthly employee messages from company president
regarding key business issues, which were distributed to more than
15,000 employees.
. Prepared speeches for company president for internal and external
audiences.
. Played lead role in developing internal and external communications
materials associated with announced closure of refrigeration
manufacturing operations.
. Developed and edited content, and managed layout for weekly and
monthly employee newsletters.
. Produced quarterly video magazine, capturing sales and merchandising
best practices among company's 20,000-member dealer network.
OTHER BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, Iowa
Television Field Reporter
1983-1986
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts - Communication and Theatre Arts, University of Iowa;
Iowa City, Iowa. 1984
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
Proficiency with Photoshop, Dreamweaver, SharePoint, Microsoft Word, Excel
and PowerPoint.
Contact this candidate