Human Resources Management

Estelle J. Wright, JD, SPHR

*** **** ****** ***** - ***** Paul, MN 55102 - Phone: 952-***-**** -

**************@*****.***

Highly experienced and goal-driven professional offering an extensive

background of human resources leadership combined with broad capabilities

in mergers and acquisitions, benefits and compensation planning, and risk

management. Concurrently headed HR strategy and functions for three

companies with over 3,500 employees operating at multiple sites. Extremely

disciplined and organized executive with impeccable professionalism and

excellent team playing skills. Expert ability to capture cost reductions

through process improvements, best practices, and astute negotiations.

Enthusiastically takes a hands-on approach to problem solving.

EXPERIENCE

HR CONSULTING, Various Locations 2011-Present

Human Resource Consultant

Deliver expertise in all facets of human resources as a consultant within

global organizations.

Adjunct Instructor, Saint Paul College, MN 2012-Present

Select textbooks, design syllabus and teach Business/Human Resource classes

at top ranked college.

Duke and King Acq. Corp (d/b/a Burger King)

Mongolian Operating Co. LLC (d/b/a bd's Mongolian Grill)

DK Chicken Corp. (d/b/a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen), Minneapolis, MN 2007-

2011

Vice President, Human Resources

Steered human resources strategy, solutions development, and implementation

on behalf of three companies while overseeing a total of 3,500 employees at

120 locations. Ensured successful execution of multiple acquisitions and

divestitures. Spearheaded functional audits of internal HR practices.

Conferred with executives regarding employee relations issues. Developed HR

policies and prepared documentation. Actively contributed to

organizational development. Directed and personally managed Compensation

programs. Created and delivered training programs for multi-state locations

focused on compensation administration, performance management, team

management, investigations, discrimination, harassment, and hiring. Assured

effective business risk management including review and renewal of workers

compensation, general liability, auto, crime, property, executive officers,

and employment practices liability. Directed risk management encompassing

business and executive risk insurance and safety issues. Managed the

mediation/arbitration program and prepared responses to EEOC and external

agency requests. Upheld compliance with federal and state guidelines such

as workers compensation, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and Title VII. Strategically

planned benefits program comprising health and welfare, life insurance,

disability, 401(k), flex savings, and COBRA. Led payroll management.

> Drove all aspects of strategic acquisitions, mergers, and divestitures

with oversight of due diligence and integration planning.

> Showed superior change management leadership while advocating and

executing process improvements.

> Lowered payroll processing costs, eliminated headcount, and improved

efficiency by streamlining information process flow from 100 multi-state

units.

> Steered research, selection, design, and implementation of a new 401(k)

retirement savings plan.

Estelle J. Wright, SPHR - PAGE 2

EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)

GMAC ResCap, Minneapolis, MN 3/2007-12/2007

Consultant, Compensation

Demonstrated high level expertise and insight related to compensation

support while advising business groups on all global and domestic

compensation areas. Worked extensively with executives. Performed market

analysis and developed and presented job pricing and stock plan

recommendations for executive-level and international positions. Designed

robust training tools utilized by HR managers.

HR Consulting, Various Locations 2006-2007

Consultant, Human Resource Management

Evaluated internal HR practices through functional audits. Conferred with

supervisors to resolve employee relations matters. Administered business

risk insurance programs and renewals. Monitored compliance with government

and industry mandates. Coordinated benefits program renewals including

employee communication and enrollment processes. Supervised recruiting

activities and negotiations.

> Spearheaded several large-scale HR functional audits to facilitate

corporate goals and best practices.

> Enhanced risk coverage levels by determining risk needs and revamping

coverage.

> Overhauled employee on-boarding and exit processes to increase

effectiveness and efficiency.

> Steered research, selection, design, and implementation of a new 401(k)

retirement savings plan.

Famous Dave's of America, Inc., Minneapolis, MN 2004-2006

Manager, Compensation and Benefits

Oversaw compensation, benefits, and risk management for this publicly

traded, multi-state restaurant chain generating over $100MM in yearly

revenue. Defined and executed strategies and programs impacting over 2,300

employees at 40 company sites and 91 franchise locations. Managed health

and welfare, life, disability, 401(k), flex savings, and COBRA. Drove all

aspects of business risk insurance programs in the areas of worker's

compensation, general liability, auto, crime, property, executive, and

employment practices. Ensured compliance with government guidelines, such

as workers' compensation, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and Title VII. Created and

delivered training programs for multi-state locations focused on

compensation administration, performance management, risk and safety

management.

> Designed and introduced annual compensation management program.

> Achieved significant reductions in workplace accidents by leading a

company-wide safety program.

Buffets, Inc., Minneapolis, MN 1997-2004

Manager, Compensation

Directed compensation planning and administration for this $1B restaurant

company with 370 locations in 38 states, which employs approximately

22,000. Previously served as Project Functional Team Lead, Records Manager,

and Generalist. Oversaw organizational chart creation, employee

communication, benefits and compensation, employment verification, new hire

documentation, salary reviews, and reporting.

> Charted implementation of a multi-state compensation program for 22,000

employees.

> Served as a functional lead charged with Oracle HR implementation with

key involvement in system design, configuration and testing, process

mapping and redesign, data conversion, and training.

> Established records management procedures used by 400 multi-state

locations.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

JD, Focus on Employment/Business Law - William Mitchell School of Law

BA, Human Resources - Concordia University

Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR), SHRM

Global Professional Human Resources (GPHR), SHRM, Anticipated 2013

Minnesota Rule 114 Qualified Mediator

Eligible to work in USA and Australia

Executive Competencies

Human Resources - Project Management - Budgeting - Policies &

Procedures - Process Improvement

Compensation Strategy and Administration - Benefits Planning &

Administration

Risk Management - Payroll - Employment Law - Mergers & Acquisitions -

Strategic Planning

Contact this candidate