ASHLEY J. SMITH, SPHR
Columbus, Ohio
614-***-**** • **************@*****.***
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-smith-74805018
SUMMARY
Committed human resources professional specializing in learning, development, change management and coaching. My passion is creatively linking the operational mission with everyday behaviors to assure a person, and ultimately a company, succeeds. I approach each experience as an opportunity to collaborate, using a strength’s based approach, in order to find a root cause, develop a plan to achieve our goals and raise our standards, collectively. Key skills include:
Coaching
Training
Collaborating
Change Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
The Ohio State University, Change Analyst 2016 to current
Partner with business leaders in the university, along with project team members, to create a plan for assisting the university community in adopting a transformational shift in financials systems, behaviors and reporting.
Co-created an onboarding program and materials for all project team members (+300)
Co-created and executed engagement program for all project team members including: informal engagement; large team events; create, analyze and execute team engagemen survey; formal awards process for project team members; presentation of engagement plan to project leadership; lunch & learns for project team members
Began a cross-functional Change Analyst work group to make sure stakeholder needs were met and to enhance communication within the team
Meets and Exceeds expectations in both annual performance reviews
Managing change plans through knowledge of business processes for 4 financial areas (FDM, Financial Accounting, Endowment Accounting, Banking & Settlement)
Familiar with business processes for Expenses, Customer Accounts, Supply Chain and Assets
Completing/testing transactions in Workday platform to prepare for completing trainings in these areas
Knowledge Universe Education, LLC 1997 to 2015
DISTRICT MANAGER (2006-2008, 2013-2015)
Identified opportunities and create actions to assure the quality of education programs for ages infants through school age, mentor and monitor customer engagement at all levels. Lead 24 managers and approximately 130 staff members to a high quality, engaged profitable business.
Created and implemented action plans and behavior changes that pulled 11/12 centers off underperforming "at risk" list
Innovated and led a "growing together" initiative to bring three market districts for the betterment of our families - improved interdistrict communication, intradistrict innovation, and consistency of family experiences across the city
Subject matter expert on consolidation process of centers, including providing recommended changes and bonus structure for consolidation process that were adopted nationwide, improving morale and streamlining processes
Led district to 100% accreditation (national average is 7%, corporate average is 60%)
Improved engagement scores (Gallup) in every category for two consecutive years
Led quality team (committee of Center Directors and District Managers) for the region in 2015 to assure accreditation standards met consistently in the region; led systems team in 2013-2014 to provide technical support across the region for new reporting standards and formats
Collaborated on Professional Development Plans, Performance Appraisals and goal setting with all building leaders at the top two levels (Center Directors and Assistant Directors), along with select benchstrength candidates. Collaborated on all Performance Improvement Plans for a district of 12 Center Directors, 12 Assistant Directors and approximately 170 hourly staff members
MARKET WIDE TRAINER (2005)
COMPANY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST (2005-2006)
REGIONAL SUPPORT AND TRAINING SPECIALIST/TRAINING ADMINISTRATOR SPECIALIST (2008-2013)
Developed and implemented trainings for audiences of <5 to more than 75 people. Conducted needs assessments and created programs and proposals to support the market, region and/or company. Became subject matter expert in recruiting, marketing, Head Start, national accreditation programs, Child Development
Associate credential, Yellow Ribbon Programs and oversaw special projects as identified by supervisor or conversation with colleagues.
Created, implemented, oversaw, evaluated, and modified Head Start bonus structure to align with program goals and government requirements. ($1.5 million annual program)
Oversaw all aspects of bidding, communication, contracting, execution, budgeting, profit margin calculations and bonus structure for the Yellow Ribbon Programs nationwide. Grew program from one state to 11 states in two years ($330K)
Set individualized goals and coaching with Center Directors to achieve a region wide accreditation percentage of 60%, nearly double the nationwide company average, representing nearly 10,000 children receiving an additional 10% in state reimbursement each week (approximately $500,000)
Trained company wide sales and service initiative to over 400 field leaders
Associate development through Staff Training, Apprenticeship and Retention (STAR) Program and 32/90 participants were promoted to Center Director within 18 months, another 34 were promoted to Assistant Director within 2 years
Associate development through Child Development Associate Program (CDA) – volunteer certification program
Led onboarding program for all new employees in Columbus metro area
Maintained program documentation of accreditation, coaching conversations, sales and service training participants, STAR participants, CDA participants, onboarding participants. Had conversations with leaders and produced statistics as necessary (eg. What percentage of employees attending onboarding where still with the company in 90 days)
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER (2004-2005)
Responsible for customer engagement and business growth region wide.
Created and implemented trainings for field leaders in "grassroots" marketing efforts, taking the region from last to first in FTE growth in fall 2004
Developed and implemented training on inquiry calls, touring skills and follow up with potential customers. Developed system and mentorship program with 1 "high risk" center per district - average center stayed high risk for 3-4 months (a decrease of 7 months)
CENTER DIRECTOR (2000-2004)
Responsible for all aspects of a small business - including human resources, accounts receivable, accounts payable, quality programming, training and development, customer service.
Trained and mentored 3 field managers from other programs, as well as the promotion of four staff members to Assistant Center Directors and two field leaders from my program (a promotion rate of 30%, one of the four highest in the market)
Nominated and achieved Peer Leader in quality and accreditation (companywide program)
Co-created a tour program rolled out region wide (5 STAR tours)
Created a system of ongoing performance management, growth and development of employees that dropped staff turnover from 176% to 17% in two years
Achieved the "Above and Beyond" Award for district wide training and mentoring (2003)
RELEVANT PROJECTS
Shining Light Bible Mission Church (2011-Present)
Head Trustee and Financial Officer for the church to assure financial accountability and legal protection in all matters pertaining to the church.
Policy and procedure creation for all aspects of operations - accounting, legal, transportation, operations, membership and governance. Verified by outside auditing organization
Created and implemented Strategic Planning Training and Core Values Workshop, Root Cause Analysis training and created an ongoing plan of action with Administrative Team
Updated the accounting system from one account to a chart of accounts. Trained finance team on accounting system. Prepare monthly balance sheets and profit/loss statements
Created and executed trainings for all church leadership on varying topics including: church finances, 501c3, accounting and financial accountability within each ministry
Created and implemented systems for weekly operations, contracts and bidding, created organizational chart, updated job descriptions for all salaried and volunteer staff
Prepare and file quarterly payroll and annual tax documents
EDUCATION
SPHR Certification, December 2016
SHRM Certification, December 2015 (will be renewed December 2018)
PROSCI Certification, November 2016
Adobe Captivate Training, March 2017
Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification, October 2017
Workday Financials Fundamentals, March 2017
New York Institute of Technology/Ellis College, New York/Chicago
Master of Business Administration
Concentration in Human Resources and Leadership
3.80/4.0 GPA
Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Psychology and Sociology