Human Resources Manager
Resume:
Susan M. Oswald
Chicago, IL *0638
************@*****.***
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Confident, highly energized, effective and persuasive Executive Human
Resources Professional with substantial in-house Training and Development,
Talent Acquisition, Employee/Labor Relations and Negotiation experience. I
possess the proven capability for problem solving and training skills
necessary to achieve maximum success of corporate objectives in union and
non-union, and multi-site/multi-state environments. Recognized for a
successful track record of achieving both personal and group goals, with
extensive industry knowledge and a sound training background. Driven by
personal commitment to achieve goals and overcome obstacles, always leading
from the front.
o Provides both tactical and strategic logic management solutions.
Consistently earns the confidence of professionals and peers through the
delivery of consistent superior service and support. Accustomed to
adversity, resistant to rejection, and practiced in the patient and
consistent attainment of professional goals.
o Influences and facilitates change in strategic workforce planning
environments of mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and right sizing
while working with operations to achieve development and maximum return
on human capital. Contributes to bottom line revenue while enhancing
employee engagement.
CORE STRENGTHS
Training Development/Facilitation . Employee Relations/Engagement
Labor Relations/Negotiations . Gaming Industry . Hospitality Retail . Food
Service . Airport Operations . Manufacturing/Distribution . Insurance
Industry . Policy & Procedure Development/Revision . Compensation/Payroll
Administration/Benefits . Workplace Grievance/Arbitration Process . Risk
Management/Purchasing Compliance . Best Practices Review and Implementation
. Union Avoidance/Strike Plan Readiness
Organizational Development/Strategic Logics . Talent Acquisition/Labor
Planning
Dispute Resolution and Mediation . Six Sigma Training
HRIS Implementation/HR Metrics/Compliance
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL-ROSEMONT, IL
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES & TRAINING JUNE 2009-JANUARY 2011
o Daily directs the Human Resource labor relations and employee relations
function overseeing 2 person staff which consisted of 2 direct reports (1
Employee Relations/ Benefits/Risk Management staff and 1 HR Payroll
Coordinator).
o Provide the full range of advisory services to supervisors, managers, and
administrators regarding regulatory requirements affecting employee
relations.
o Chief spokesman for union contract negotiations and administer labor
agreements, confer with management, providing guidance, consultation and
staff assistance on a variety of labor relation matters.
o Spearheaded new HR departmental structure including performance
management, employee handbook, code of conduct, progressive discipline
process, and all HR standard operating principles.
o Created succession planning process in line with growth expectations, and
implemented leadership competency training and development in conjunction
with emotional (EQ) and intellectual (IQ) mapping of managerial
competencies.
o Designed and implemented guest service program. Led administration of
employee engagement survey, including presentation and analysis of
results, and action planning process.
Compliance Officer for Business Ethics, Internal Controls, SEC & SOX,
OFCCP, Guarantee of Fair Treatment & Speak-Up for Ethics Hotline for all
associates, Affirmative Action and Diversity Plan, Community Relations and
Charitable Giving.
Create company strategic training and organizational development plans to
meet the personal, professional and organizational needs of company and
employees.
MIDWEST HR RECRUITING & TRAINING GROUP, CHICAGO, IL
VICE PRESIDENT & OWNER-OCTOBER 2008-JUNE 2009
o Provide HR Consultant services in the functional areas of Talent
Acquisition, Training and Development.
PENN GAMING-EMPRESS CASINO AND HOTEL, JOLIET, IL
VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES JULY 2002-SEPTEMBER 2008
o Daily directs the Human Resource labor relations and employee relations
function overseeing 15 person human resource staff which consisted of 8
direct reports at managerial level (2 Employee Relations Managers, 1
Labor Relations Manager, 1 Training Manager, 1 Benefit Manager, and 3
Assistant HR Generalist Managers).
o Chief spokesman for union contract negotiations and administer labor
agreements (UNITE/HERE, IBEW, SEATU, Operating Engineers).
o Nominated and awarded 2008 Diversity Employer of the Year by the Illinois
Dept. of Human Rights for our ongoing work in the human resources
department in the areas of employment and training
o Campaign Director for union avoidance action for company. Played integral
role in an employer campaign which led to a recent withdrawal in the late
Summer of 2008 of Operating Engineer petition to unionize by the
employee base.
o Over a period of 12 months removed company from probation under the EEOC
by designing and implementing training and best practices with respect to
the collective bargaining agreements, employee relations, progressive
disciplinary process, and review of recommendations for termination.
o Over a period of 12 months reduced outside legal fees from $625,000
annually to $3,000 annually through development and training of the Human
Resources staff on labor relations and employee relations process and
procedure.
o Reduced unemployment claims by $250K year over year through
training/development of management staff on labor relations and employee
relations process and procedure.
o Reduced turnover from 68% to 26% over two year span by working with
operational departments to establish consistent practice in labor
relations and employee relations practices. Standardized departmental
training for new hires, and identify certified trainers for each
department.
o Designed "Pay for Skill" program to address staffing and retention in
union environment.
o Corporate resource for Employee Handbook design of policy and procedure,
Internal Controls Policy and Development, Training and Development for
all employee levels, and identifying best practices for standard
operating procedures at Empress Casino and Host Marriott Services.
o Designed and facilitated "You Make A Difference" 12 competency based
Leadership Development workshop for mid-level to senior level management
to achieve culture change in management style at Empress Casino and
Hotel.
o Designed and implemented a management intern program for minority that
consisted of 30 work hours and 10 paid hours of formal higher education
to align with our diversity and succession planning goals.
o Collaborated with two higher education institutions to create a
supervisory skills curriculum that was accredited in conjunction with our
succession planning and organizational development goals.
Designed and implemented an internal internet site that improved
communication, housed succession planning tool kit and provided on-line
training and development.
Revamped the employment process by designing a recruiting tool-kit for
recruiters, automation and implementation of HRIS system, realistic job
previews, and behavioral interviewing which positively impacted turnover.
Implemented part-time employee paid medical/dental insurance to create a
competitive edge in our marketplace with our recruitment strategy.
STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS, WESTIN MICHIGAN AVE. HOTEL, CHICAGO, IL
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES-JANUARY 2000 - JULY 2002
o Daily directs the Human Resource labor relations and employee relations
function overseeing 4 direct reports ( 2 Employee Relations Managers, 1
Training Manager, and 1 Benefit Manager).
o Advises and participates on Executive Committee. Work with Executive Team
to develop strategic business plan for the company. Establish and
implement short and long range company and departmental goals,
objectives, policies and operating procedures to achieve the business
plan.
o Partner with Corporate Human Resources and Property Senior Management to
develop and implement human resource policies, guidelines and procedures
that support the company's goals and objectives.
o Provided counsel, guidance and influence to senior management and
operations to include organizational restructuring, work re-designs,
conflict resolution, compensation philosophy, investigations, performance
management, and recruitment and retention strategies.
o Member of the Hotel Association Collective Bargaining Team for Midwest
area hotels.
o Develop collective bargaining positions, contract clarification,
proposals, counter-proposals, rebuttals, strategies and tactics.
o Represent management in a variety of administrative hearings under the
negotiated contract. Investigate, research, and represent management at
grievance arbitration hearings and unfair labor practice hearings.
o Pro-actively work with Operations to develop and implement union
avoidance strategy and training.
o Receive, respond and resolve employee relation issues from employees,
supervisors and managers.
o Provide the full range of advisory services to supervisors, managers, and
administrators regarding regulatory requirements affecting employee
relations and satisfaction.
o Midwest regional resource for recruitment of all levels of employees,
both union and non-union.
o Prepare property Affirmative Action Plan and served as diversity
consultant in the development, communication and implementation of EEOC
matters.
o Partner with senior leaders to identify high potential employees for
succession planning and potential developmental opportunities.
o Identify, administer and evaluate management and leadership development
programs including classroom training, online training and executive
coaching.
o Represent company in workers compensation and unemployment hearings.
HOST MARRIOTT SERVICES, CHICAGO O'HARE INT'L AIRPORT, CHICAGO, IL
REGIONAL TEAM HUMAN RESOURCES-SEPTEMBER 1997-DECEMBER 1999
o Daily directs the Human Resource labor relations and employee relations
function overseeing 5 person human resource staff in addition to regional
responsibility in labor relations and employee relations for 6 human
resource director and 2 manager level human resources personnel.
o Midwest regional human resource responsibility, providing support to 9500
(union/non-union) associates in a multi-state/multi-site territory,
consisting of 7 airports and 2 toll plazas.
o Campaign manager for union avoidance and training adhering to guidelines
under National Labor Relations Act.
o Provide labor relations assistance to all employees ensuring adherence to
contract administration, interpretation and compliance. (UNITE/HERE,
IBEW, SEATU, Operating Engineers)
o Develop collective bargaining positions, contract clarification,
proposals, counter-proposals, rebuttals, strategies and tactics.
o Pro-actively work with Operations to develop and implement union
avoidance strategy and training.
o Provide the full range of advisory services to supervisors, managers, and
administrators regarding regulatory requirements affecting employee
relations and labor relations.
o Participate as labor relations and employee relations resource on human
resources teams, partnering with business groups on strategic
restructuring such as reductions in force, unit closings, outsourcing,
acquisitions, and employee separations.
o Resolve the labor relations and employee relations case management
activity of designated practice groups or Lines of Business
within defined quality and timeliness productivity measures.
o Provide advice to management and human resources colleagues supporting
compliance with all applicable employment law and regulations (e.g., AAP,
EEOC, ERISA, ADA, OSHA, FMLA, workers and unemployment compensation
programs, and non-discrimination in hiring and promotion.
PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Handschy Industries Bellwood, IL - Area Human Resources Director - April
1996 to September 1997
A. W. Mendenhall, Elk Grove Village, IL - Employee Relations Administrator
-July 1993 to Nov. 1995
Fireman's Fund Insurance, Chicago, IL - Operations Supervisor - August 1990
to September 1992
Maryland Casualty Insurance, Lombard, IL - Branch Office Supervisor - Dec.
1987 to March 1990
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Commerce De Paul University, Chicago, IL
PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES & TRAINING
o 2010 Portfolio Hotels Area Risk Management Training-JMB Insurance.
o 2010 Franklin Covey Training on Leadership and Trust.
o 2009 Intercontinental Brand Training/Customer Focus.
o 2007/2008 HR in Hospitality-Cornell University Sponsored Conference on
Labor Relations and
Employment Law in Las Vegas.
o 2004-2006 Hotel Labor Relations Association and Conference.
o 2007/2008 Seyfarth Shaw Employment Law and Legislative Conference.
o 2002/2003 Seyfarth Shaw Employment Law and Legislative Conference.
o 2000-2002 Hotel Labor Relations Association and Conference.
o Annual SHRM Employment and Legislative Conferences.
o 2001 Six Sigma Training-Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
o 2000 Global Hospitality Conference on Labor Relations Sponsored
by Starwood Hotels and
Resorts.
Contact this candidate