Maria Garcia

**** *. **********, *******, ** ****4 773-***-**** ac6l1p@r.postjobfree.com

Objective

Highly accomplished bilingual human resources leader with over 25 years within hotel and hospitality industry looking to join a leading company that will benefit from my experience and knowledge. I am an expert in placing a strong focus on coaching, collaboration, and development while managing all facets of human resources in the areas of employment laws, employee relations, recruitment, training, compensation, benefits, talent management, succession planning, labor management, labor negotiations, workers comp and employee engagement.

Experience

HILTON HOTELS JUNE 8, 1992 TO PRESENT

Started my human resources career with Hilton Hotels in 1992 in the position of administrative assistant and have been promoted to different positions such as employment manager, assistant director, director human resources, and director human resources complex. The promotions have been within the same hotel as well as promotions in different hotels within Hilton.

Director Human Resources Doubletree June 4, 2018 to present

Based on my experience with opening the Conrad Hotel have been given the task to make a lateral move to the DoubleTree hotel to implement all Hilton standards and procedures as this hotel transitioned to a managed hotel.

oResponsible for all aspects of human resources administration. Consulting with leadership in the development of HR strategies that support business needs. Maintaining the day to day management of team members, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance. Effectively collaborating with the General Manager and Department Managers in the areas of total rewards, recruitment, talent management, succession planning, career pathing, and team member engagement. Providing day to day performance management guidance to all managers (coaching, counseling, career development, and disciplinary actions). Resolving complex employee relations issues. Overseeing and conducting effective, thorough and objective investigations including completing documentation for final resolution. Managing the labor issues by responding to grievances and holding grievance meetings to resolve issues. Including negotiating labor changes. Facilitating training programs including new hire orientation to onboard all line employees and managers to brand training as well as implementing new standards/procedures and training the managers for effective managing and delivery to all employees. Overseeing the recruitment for all level positions, working closely with the recruitment center to ensure interviews are moved quickly and smoothly through the process to meet our employment needs to fill the open positions. Conduct the onboarding of all new employees. Managing Leave of Absences, Unemployment Claims, and Workers Comp.

Director Human Resources Complex Conrad & Waldorf March 7, 2016 to June 3, 2018

Made a lateral move as the Director Human Resources to the Conrad to gain opening experience. Due to restructuring of the organizational leadership team additional responsibilities of managing the Waldorf was added the position changed to Director Human Resources Complex.

oPart of the opening team for the Conrad Chicago assisted with leading the opening of the hotel and implementing all standards, training, and recruitment. Responsibilities included managing the day to day operations for the Waldorf Astoria Chicago and The Conrad Chicago, working with the General Manager and Department Managers in the areas of recruitment, talent management, team member engagement, coaching, counseling, career development, and disciplinary actions. Conducted investigations and completing documentation for final resolution. Managed the Labor issues responding to grievances and holding grievance meetings to resolve issues. Worked with Legal Department to respond to EEOC Charges and Labor disputes. Worked with the Director of Security at the Waldorf in the managing of Workers Comp and Liability Claims. At the Conrad Hotel due to no Security Department worked with the Director of Property Operations in implementing the Safety Standards, conducted monthly training, and in Human Resources managed all the Workers Comp and Liability Claims. Managed the leave of absences and responded to unemployment claims. Conducted Managing Legally Training for all managers as well as Contract Review training once the contract was implemented. Participated in Union Negotiations working closely with the corporate attorney.

Director Human Resources The Drake Hotel December 31, 2007 to March 6, 2016

Promoted from the Embassy Suites to the Drake Hotel. During my time at the Drake due to my tenure and experience was given additional responsibilities first as the Senior Director of Human Resources (2/1/12 to 7/31/14), then a title adjustment to Area Director of Human Resources (8/1/14 to 3/6/16). The additional responsibilities included working with the Regional Director of Human Resources to assist with investigations, union issues, Human Resources Reviews. Worked as the direct contact for the General Managers and Human Resources Directors to provide guidance with legal issues, union concerns, counseling, and conducting investigations. Assisted and took part of the negotiations committee for our local contracts.

oIn the Role of Director of Human Resources, responsible for the day to day operations in Human Resources – training, recruitment, Diversity initiatives. Oversee the Development Programs of the hotel for all team members to include new hire orientation, all mandatory training courses (i.e., Harassment, Diversity, etc.) and all leadership courses. Advised the General Manager and the management team in discipline, legal, and union issues. Counseled team members on performance issues. Responded to all EEOC/NLRB/Arbitration matters as well as responded to all union grievances. Coordinated non-exempt and exempt reviews, salary increases, and annual salary surveys. Responsible for updating legal updates and implementing the Personnel Policy Guide, Affirmative Action Plan, Employee Handbook to include guidelines for FMLA, HIPPA, and ADA. Responded to unemployment claims, managed the workers comp procedures working closely with the Director of Security. Assisted the Director of Security on an annual basis in implementing the annul Loss Prevention Guide and training.

Director Human Resources Embassy Suites - Lakefront June 1, 2004 to December 30, 2007

Promoted from Assistant Director Human Resources at the Palmer House to Director of Human Resources at the Embassy Suites Lakefront.

oResponsible for the day to day operations in Human Resources – training, recruitment, counseling, and diversity initiatives. Implemented all the development programs for all team members to include new hire orientation and mandatory training. Advised General Manager the management team in discipline and legal issues. Coached and train the managers on initiatives to maintain a union free environment. Assisted managers on counseling team members on performance issues. Managed the worker’s compensation claims, leave of absences, and process all loss prevention documents. Coordinated non-exempt and exempt reviews, salary increases, and annual salary surveys. Managed and control the Human Resources accounts, monthly expenses, and forecasting. Actively participated in the hotel’s forecasting procedures with the General Manager. Managed payroll processing and employee record changes. Assisted with the day to day operations in Security and Housekeeping in the absence of the directors. Responded to all EEOC and unemployment claims. Participated in the hotel budget meetings for all departments which included participating in the presentation to the Corporate Office and Hotel Owners.

Assistant Director Human Resources Palmer House March 1, 2000 to May 31, 2004

Promoted from Assistant Director at the Hilton O’Hare to the Assistant Director at the Palmer House Hotel a 1600 room property with over 1000 employees.

oOversaw the Human Resources staff (Staff Relations Manager/Benefits Manager, Employment Manager, Director of Training, and Administrative Assistant). Advised management staff of 200 in discipline, legal, and union issues. Counsel a staff of 1200 on performance issues. Responded to union grievances; coordinated Worker’s compensation claims, leave of absences. Coordinated non-exempt and exempt reviews, salary increases, and salary surveys. Managed and controlled the Human Resources accounts and monthly expenses and forecasting. Oversaw payroll processing and employee record changes; process payment for union H&W benefits. Responsible for updating legal updates and implementing the Personnel Policy Guide, Affirmative Action Plan, Employee Handbook to include guidelines for FMLA, HIPPA, and ADA. Responsible for implementing and developing turnover, and affirmative action reports. Assisted with the training of new management staff on policies and procedures and other training courses. Responsible for training Human Resources Staff on their perspective positions. Processed requests for vacation/sick pay.

Assistant Director Hilton O’Hare June 8, 1992 to February 29, 2000

Started my human resources career in the position of administrative assistant at Hilton O’Hare and was promoted to employment manager and assistant director. During my career path in these various positions my responsibilities consisted from managing the administrative duties to the management of all aspects of human resources, providing guidance to all managers effectively managing employee issues, responding to unemployment claims, managing the workers comp programs, responding to labor disputes including grievances/arbitrations, assisted with the preparation of the annual budget for human resources, streamlined human resources processes while maintaining standards of compliance and accountability.

Assistant Director of Human Resources 5/1/96 to 2/29/00

Employment Manager 3/1/94 to 5/1/96

Administrative Assistant 6/8/92 to 3/1/94

Education

MASTER’S DEGREE 2008 KELLER GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGMENT

Major: Human Resources Management

BACHELOR’S DEGREE 2003 NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Major: Liberal Arts

Minor: Human Resources Development

ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN APPLIED SCIENCE 1991 NORTHWESTERN BUSINESS COLLEGE

Skills

Bilingual (Fluent in Spanish)

Opening and Transition Properties Experience

Word, Excel, Power Point, HRIS systems, ADP, Unifocus, Peoplesoft, TALEO

Certified Achieve Global Instructor

References

Available Upon Request