SHERRY S. HIRSCH, SPHR
Cell: 646-***-****
Email: *************@*****.***
Highly successful human resources director with a solid background in a
variety of workplace settings with exposure in the following areas:
management (staff, projects and vendors), team building, employee
relations, diversity, administration, policy development, EEO/AAP
compliance including plan writing, training, benefits, compensation, H.R.
systems, union avoidance, employee communications, outplacement, crisis and
change management. Self-starter with superior technical skills who takes
pride in making a difference by remaining cutting edge on legal issues and
trends in the workplace.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Stroz Friedberg, LLC 6/10
- 4/11
Director, Human Resources
Responsibilities included oversight of the HR department as well as
implementation of programs and policies to ensure the firm's abilities to
attract and retain top talent.
Selected Accomplishments
. Revised and updated vacation policy to PTO to ensure it is competitive
. Successfully completed a "top talent" project to identify talent in
cities with the firm's presence.
. Successfully implemented a meaningful on-boarding process that ensures
proper orientation to the firm.
. Updated and trained all employees on sexual harassment policy.
Lovells LLP
2/06 - 4/10
U.S. Chief Human Resources Officer
Working with the COO, responsible for the Human Resources function for the
US Region of major international law firm which includes development,
recommendation and implementation of all regional wide policies, procedures
as they relate to recruitment, selection, employee relations, diversity,
compensation, compliance and benefits as well as point person on visa
issues for current and new hires. Also represented the US in global
initiatives such as Diversity, Corporate Responsibility, and People
Development. Staff of 2 HR Managers.
Selected Accomplishments
. Implemented a new partner life insurance benefit which allows them 1.8
million dollar policies that are guaranteed issue resulting in uniform
coverage with the global firm.
. Implemented a new salary continuance policy which successfully ties in
our STD/LTD benefit with FMLA and our Leave Policies..
. Served as regional champion for global diversity initiative.
Successfully implemented and had intergenerational diversity program
delivered to all attorneys.
. Served as Plan Administrator for the Pension Plan and sit on the newly
formed Retirement Plan Committee.
. Successfully brought High Deductible Health Care Plan to the firm saving
the partners 40% in premiums.
Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP
5/98 - 2/06
Director of Human Resources
Re-established and directed the Human Resources function for this midsized
law firm which includes recommendation and implementation of policies and
procedures (for both legal and non legal staff), benefits including 401(k)
and partner's pension plan and cash balance plan, employee relations,
recruitment and selection, EEO/AAP compliance and training as well as plan
writing. Manage an HR staff of 7 including 4 managers. Additional
reports: Library, Word Processing and Training and from 10/00-11/01
Facilities.
Accomplishments
Designed and implemented a program for the secretarial support staff
which successfully combines competency training and testing as well as
establishing performance criteria and salary parity which resulted in
improved morale and reduced turnover.
Successfully worked with outside counsel to revise and train the entire
firm on updated sexual harassment policy. Defused several potentially
explosive employee relations situations as well as designing a 4 session
program and training non-legal managerial staff on all aspects of legal
compliance.
Successfully worked with management and staff to ensure smooth
functioning of the Firm in the post 9/11 relocation. This included
working with Crisis Counselors to ensure employees were emotionally
prepared to work, as well as rebuilding all Human Resource files and
systems resulting in a relatively seamless transition with virtually no
staff turnover.
. Coordinated all internal communications and was point person for employee
relations issues relating to the Firm's successful relocation to it's
new space downtown.
. Negotiated with health care provider resulting in "0" premium increase
for the 2002 plan year.
. Successfully moved the Firm to a new national medical carrier after
negotiating with the carrier and selling the concept to management.
. Set up and Employee Self Service portal in conjunction with post 9/11
intranet.
. Training department successfully tied for #1 in NYC in the Midlevel
Associate Technology Survey.
American International Group
12/96-5/98
Human Resources Director
Generalist responsibilities, which include employee relations, salary
planning and budgeting for six regional companies and multiple locations.
Prior assignment: HR Director/Domestic Brokerage Group for three operating
areas: Operations, Reinsurance and Legal. Population served approximately
700. Staff of 3, including one manager.
First Bank of the Americas
10/94-12/96
Vice President, Human Resources
Human Resources Director
Reporting to the president, responsible for entire Human Resource function
including: recruitment and selection, all HR compliance, employee
relations, EEO/AAP, training, HRIS, recognition programs, policy &
procedure recommendation, development, writing and implementation. Also
responsible for project management including hiring outside consultants and
coordinating completion of outsourced activities. Supervise staff of
three.
Selected Accomplishments
Utilizing an HRIS, established the basis for all legal compliance record
keeping.
. Also successful in the timely filing of the bank's first EEO-1, AAP, Vet-
100, as well as the continuous filing of all 5500's.Working with senior
management, established criteria and procedures to ensure fairness and
legal compliance for RIF programs. Updated employee handbook to comply
with latest legislation.
. Recommended, designed (including pricing), marketed and successfully
implemented a self-insured flexible program which included converting to
a state-of-the-art "paid time off" feature with sell-back options to
ensure employees' ability to offset any increase in benefit costs while
reducing cost to the bank.
. Established a market driven salary structure including re-grading all
position
. Established new performance appraisal system and increase guidelines to
ensure fairness, which successfully operated within a 3.5% merit budget
guideline.
Imtech
4/93 - 9/94
Director of Human Resources
Managed the Human Resource function for a diverse 300 person workforce.
The company's lines of business included printing, facilities management
(outsourcing) and litigation support and a software development subsidiary.
Reporting directly to the CEO, my mission was to develop a more
professional Human Resources function.
Selected Accomplishments
Implemented a new 401(k)
Purchased and implemented an HRIS package (PC Personnel) from ADP.
First American Bank of New York
3/86 - 4/93
Consultant (5/92-4/93)
Ran outplacement training for the entire organization prior to its sale.
Assistant Vice President, Human Resources (3/86-5/92)
Manage Employment function which combines supervisory and technical
responsibilities for counseling and employee relations, EEO/AAP, plan
writing, policy implementation and administration, training and
outplacement. Manage a staff of four.
Selected Accomplishments
Successfully delivered a two-day Selection Interviewing Skills seminar, a
training program on state-of-the-art behavioral interviewing techniques.
Designed and successfully delivered as EEO training program to over 100
supervisors with updates on Americans with Disabilities Act, Civil Rights
Act and Sexual Harassment.
Wrote Affirmative Action Plan for two locations.
Certified in Zenger-Miller FRONTLINE LEADERSHIP management development
program.
EDUCATION
State University College at Buffalo
M.S. Education/ Student Personnel
State University of New York at Buffalo
B.A. Sociology
NYU School of Continuing Education
Certificate in Personnel Management
ACCREDITATION Senior Professional in
Human Resources
REFERENCES:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/sherryhirsch