Manager Human Resources

THERESE M. CESARO

**** ******* ***** ( Wantagh, New York 11793

516-***-**** ( **.******@*******.***

Strong senior executive leader with nearly 22 years of hands-on experience

administering comprehensive Human Resources functions including payroll,

benefits, employee programs and training and development initiatives. Known

for being approachable yet straightforward with well-developed

communication skills used to forge and maintain positive employee relations

amid change. Problem solver able to resolve wide-ranging issues calmly and

quickly in a mutually beneficial way. Catalyst able to initiate and

successfully execute new programs and policies. Plan monthly and annual

company events, including holiday parties and staff outings.

Customer Service ( Event Planning ( Staff Management ( Change Management

Benefits Administration ( Compensation ( Corporate Communications ( Event

Planning

Employee Relations ( Interviewing ( Recruiting ( Workforce Planning (

Training/Development

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

HOGAN & HARTSON LLP, New York, New York ( 11/2007 - Present

Manager, Attorney Assistants

Directly managing fifty administrative staff members. Including

Secretaries, Word Processors and Receptionist. Member of senior management

charged with administering comprehensive personnel functions encompassing

recruitment, compensation, employee relations and programs, learning and

development, communications and training.

Financial/Operational Highlights and Human Resource Management:

. Including recruiting, selection, training and development.

. Establish and maintain assistant assignments, approve and arrange staff

overtime for evening/weekends.

. Conducted performance reviews for the administrative staff and advised

partners and associates on protocol for completing reviews and

determining salary changes.

. Arrange for skill assessments and coordinate continual training programs

with internal training department.

. Ensure compliance with all applicable governmental requirements or

legislation.

. Cross-train Secretaries within different practice areas and on special

software programs.

. Partnering with senior managers and attorneys to facilitating the

practice of law in a smooth and economical manner with efficient

administrative services.

. Work closely with Office Administrator and cover facility issues in her

absence.

Lovells LLP, New York, New York ( 5/2006 - 11/2007

Human Resources Manager

Administer comprehensive personnel functions encompassing benefits,

recruitment, compensation, employee relations, employee programs,

communications and policy development as member of senior management

directly supervising 1 person with 60 indirect reports. Recruit new

employees, seeking to match high-quality candidates in both skills and

qualifications as well as overall personality fit. Interact as necessary

with London and Chicago offices, ensuring the timely publication of needed

information on company's New York and HR Intranet site. Spur growth through

the implementation of new benefit programs, including flexible spending

accounts, medical and dependent care and commuter perquisites.

Operational Highlights:

. Placed 15 candidates in 12 months.

. Reengineered the new hire orientation process by creating a

checklist/orientation binder filled with all necessary forms and

department information, ensuring completion of all pertinent steps before

and after a new hire's arrival.

. Wrote hiring guidelines for non-legal and paralegal staff, implementing

testing initiatives and setting up the salary structure.

. Instituted such HR programs as applicant tracking, time and attendance,

ADP and HRB systems.

. Organized several firm functions, including monthly health fairs, annual

children's holiday party and activities, the yearly summer firm event,

and breakfast at the Bronx zoo.

Torys LLP, New York, New York ( 2/2005- 5/2006

Manager, Human Resources & Benefits

Executed personnel functions comprised of compensation, benefits, employee

relations, employee programs, recruitment, communications and policy

development. Directly supervised 4 people with 50 indirect reports as

member of Senior Management. Introduced flexible spending,

medical/dependent care, and commuter benefits. Acted as third party 401K

administrator. Drafted departmental budget and tracked expenses.

Financial/Operational Highlights:

. Conducted performance reviews for the administrative staff and advised

partners and associates on protocol for completing reviews and

determining salary changes.

. Recruited key employees for Legal Recruitment Manager, Accounting

Manager, Marketing Coordinator, Accountant, and Billing department

positions.

. Recovered $15K in insurance company premiums after an audit of all health

and welfare bills revealed that the firm was still paying for employees

no longer with the company. Spoke directly with the insurance carrier

when the broker was unable to help.

. Ensured compliance with all applicable governmental requirements or

legislation.

. Fostered positive employee relations through the timely communication of

major changes, welcoming honest feedback from staff amid managerial

changes and a recent merger.

. Recruited a broker to oversee and administer benefit plans, including

fielding employee claims.

Seward & Kissel LLP, New York, New York ( 10/1999-2/2005

Benefits Manager

Directed personnel functions including benefits, compensation, employee

relations, employee programs, communications and policy development.

Conducted orientations for new legal and non-legal employees. Acted as

company's HIPAA Privacy Officer. Logged COBRA payments.

. Approved monthly insurance bills for carriers providing health, dental,

life insurance, short and long-term coverage.

. Spearheaded several new benefit programs, including a flexible spending

medical plan.

. Handled unemployment correspondence and appeared at hearings as

necessary.

. Coordinated all Workers Compensation, Maternity Short or Long-term

disability and Family Medical Leave claims.

. Collaborated with the Payroll department to ensure that applicable

deductions were withheld for medical, dental, long-term disability and

401K.

Agata & Valentina, New York, New York ( 6/1995-10/1999

Human Resources Manager

Supervised 15 direct reports and 200+ indirect reports as Senior Management

executive charged with administering compensation, recruitment, employee

relations, benefits, employee programs, communications and policy

development.

. Created training programs.

. Devised and executed personnel policies and procedures, specifying

departmental protocol as necessary.

TURA L.P., New Hyde Park, New York ( 5/1993- 6/1995

Human Resources Coordinator

Coordinated personnel and payroll functions, employee relations,

employment, management development planning, compensation benefits,

communications, and policy development. Administered all company benefits,

including health, Workers Compensation, disability and 401K plans. Executed

consultant and employment agreements, termination and severance packages,

and personnel memos and policies. Edited company newsletter and maintained

employee files. Planned and executed company functions such as holiday

parties, trips, and employee of the month.

. Completed departmental operating budget and reviewed actual vs. projected

spending each month.

. Recruited, interviewed, tested, recommended and conducted orientation for

new hires.

. Tracked travel expenses for management, employees, and regional sales

manager.

EDUCATION

Advertisement Design

Bauder College, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

AFFILIATION

Society for Human Resources Management

Association for Legal Administrators

. Community Service and Diversity Committee Member

. Newsletter Committee Member

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