Human Resources Professional

MARY E. MICKENS, SPHR

* ******** ****** ******, ** 07731 (h) 732-***-**** (c) 609-***-**** ********@*****.***

MANAGER / SENIOR HR BUSINESS PARTNER / DIRECTOR

Comprehensive HR Leadership Improved Organizational Performance Enhanced Profitability

Employee / Labor Relations Conflict / Grievance Management

Accomplished, detail-focused business partner with record of contributing to overall organizational profitability and growth by

developing and implementing full suite of HR solutions. Expertise in aligning HR structure with overall organizational goals. Proven

ability to effectively manage labor / employee relations and handle grievance issues. Proficient at developing / implementing company-

wide policies, procedures, and training programs to ensure optimal talent management/alignment, manager / staff performance and

employee satisfaction. Motivational leader with demonstrated strength at driving highly qualified HR teams to peak performance.

Selected Achievements

Conducted global employee engagement survey with an 84% response rate. Identified drivers of engagement and commitment,

analyzed data, and developed action plans with Senior Leadership team to transition hostile, fearful culture to one of improved

goal accomplishment, customer service, increased efficiencies and cost effectiveness.

As employee relations / grievance management specialist, provided effective policies / programs with focus on

preventative labor relations; defeated a union-organizing campaign of 1,000+ employees to maintain Company’s

union-free status.

Secured State grant of $250K to help fulfill training needs; implemented new training program that significantly improved

quality, efficiency, and processes.

Conducted Corporate-wide focus groups/survey to identify vulnerability areas for turnover, and recommended benefit and

training plans to support Company position as “Employer of Choice”; implemented new employee on boarding process to

increase job satisfaction and reduce turnover.

Enhanced compensation program to provide competitive market values for positions and pay equity; increased employee

satisfaction and reduced pay-related turnover.

Areas of Expertise

Strategic Planning Team Leadership Succession Planning

Employee / Labor relations C-Level Communications Change Management

Executive / Management Development HR Policies / Procedures Financial Management

Training Program Management Staff Retention Initiatives Process Re-engineering

Talent Acquisition / Management

ALTRAN SOLUTIONS Cranbury, NJ

Director of Human Resources and Recruitment October 2012- May 2013

An engineering and consulting company specialized in the energy, life science, and transportation industries

Provided strategic human resources support to leadership in all areas of employee relations, recruitment, talent management and

development, policy development, compensation and benefits. Lead a team of 7 professionals in the development and implementation

of human resources initiatives, programs, and policies.

GENZYME CORPORATION New York, NY

One of the world's leading Biotechnology companies/ 11,000 employees worldwide/ Revenues 4.6 billion

Senior Human Resources Business Partner – Contractor – Genzyme Genetics division April 2009 - October 2012

Provided business partner expertise and day to day Human Resources support to assigned business units. Assisted in the development

of organizational planning, human capital utilization and alignment of business needs. Developed strategic staffing plans and provided

recruiting support to the client team . Provided Project leadership, performance management, managed employee relations issues

including performance improvement plans, discipline issues, and investigations. Ensured equity in compensation process.

HESS REFINERY /HESS CORPORATION Port Reading, NJ

A Global independent Energy company

Interim Human Resources Manager for Port Reading refinery- Contractor June-September 2008

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Mary E. Mickens, SPHR Page Two

Provided day to day HR operational services with focus on employee /labor relations and resolution of union grievances.

Key Projects - Employee Engagement Survey (Voice of Hess) – provided data analysis, conducted focus groups for union and non

union employees to identify key drivers of engagement and developed action plans with management to support strengths and areas of

opportunities.

FRANKLIN ELECTRONIC PUBLISHERS Burlington, NJ

$65M developer/manufacturer of handheld electronic reference, language learning, and test preparation devices

Director / Manager of Human Resources (reported directly to President and CEO) 2003 to 2008

Oversaw broad range of HR programs serving over 225 employees supporting 6 offices worldwide

Helped forge Organization’s strategic plans as a member of Senior Management Team.

Drove talent identification/alignment, development and deployment strategies for current and emerging business requirements.

Oversaw recruitment functions and hiring process.

Conducted global Employee Engagement survey. Identified drivers of engagement and commitment, analyzed data, and

developed action plans with Senior Leadership team to transition hostile, fearful culture to one of improved goal

accomplishment, customer service, increased efficiencies and cost effectiveness.

Provided consultation/recommendations regarding organizational structure and business challenges.

Collaborated with Vice Presidents and Sr. Managers with succession planning and performance management programs.

Spearheaded Company-wide training initiative to support overall strategic plan; performed needs assessment and gap analysis,

and provided recommendations for training programs.

Secured State grant of $250K to help fulfill training needs.

Developed and / or purchased training materials Complemented in-house training with seminars and college / quality

professional classes as appropriate.

Championed improvements teams focused on quality, efficiency, and process improvements.

Counseled U.S. and international Managers on various employee relations, performance management, and organization design

topics; assisted with co-designed domestic / international compensation and sales incentive programs, which reduced Sales

Manager turnover from 33.05% to 14.35% in under two years.

Directed and mentored a staff of two HR professionals; established metrics, evaluated Department performance and

implemented new policies and procedures to ensure optimal delivery of services.

Handled all aspects of EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, including claims investigation, analysis of findings, and

administration of disciplinary actions. Conducted HR compliance training for all staff.

Developed, implemented and maintained annual operating / expenditure budgets, and assisted with salary administration and

benefits budgets.

Provided guidance to the HR / Benefits Specialist regarding plan design, administration and annual reporting. Oversaw vendor

relations and contract renewals. Secured new dental contract no cost increase for three years.

Drove comprehensive global compensation review process that improved equity and structure of performance management

system.

Created employee recognition programs and chaired employee activity committee to foster positive staff morale.

CHECKFREE CORPORATION Jersey City, NJ

$81M provider of IT services to the financial industry

Director of Human Resources – Investment Services Division (reported to Division President) 2000 to 2003

Led staff of six HR professionals to provide recruitment, salary surveys/administration, employee benefits, on boarding and

training support to 400 staff spanning six U.S. offices.

Recommended reduction in force programs that affected 20% of employees; upgraded staff skill-sets and competencies while

facilitating re-evaluation of human capital resources to strategize for long-term goals.

Leveraged sourcing and employee referrals to achieve 17% reduction in costs-per-hire for FY 2003.

Devised and implemented a career ladder program to improve the new hire on boarding process; reduced employee turnover

and learning curve while improving job satisfaction and performance.

Conducted Corporate-wide focus groups/survey to identify vulnerability areas for turnover, and recommended benefit and

training plans to support Company position as “Employer of Choice.”

Implemented programs including account manager training modules, job rotations, and division-specific on boarding programs

to achieve quicker staff acclimation to jobs and optimize attainment of goals.

Built and delivered “Tactics for Effective Leadership” training program for management; program subsequently adopted as

permanent part of training curriculum.

Played key role on task force team that created a training /orientation manual for new Managers; manual subsequently deployed

Company-wide.

Enhanced compensation program to provide competitive market values for positions and pay equity; increased employee

satisfaction and reduced pay-related turnover.

Ensured organizational compliance with legal guidelines; provided compliance training on sexual harassment, labor laws, and

recruitment guidelines to managers.

HEALTHSOUTH REHABILITATION HOSPITAL Toms River, NJ

$65M rehabilitation hospital with six outpatient facilities and several joint venture partnerships

Director of Human Resources / Labor Relations 1990 to 1999

Directed all HR functions for Organization, including staffing, orientation & training, salary & benefits administration.

Led effective employee / labor relations; specialized in union grievance management and played major role as member of union

contract negotiation team.

Supervised daily activity of 4 staff - two HR specialists, an employee health manager, and a volunteer coordinator.

MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER Long Branch, NJ

Employee Relations Specialist (1987-1988)

Managed employee/employer policies and programs with emphasis in employee relations and preventative labor

relations, for over 2,000 employees.

Served as key liaison between management and union officers during union organizing attempts.

Defeated a union organizing campaign of over 1,000 employees, maintaining the company’s union free status.

Advised and assisted management staff with grievance hearings, discipline and termination issues.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Masters of Public Administration - Human Resources Fairleigh Dickinson University - Madison, NJ

Professional Certification Society for Human Resource Management - SPHR

Lebanon Valley College - Lebanon Valley, PA

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology Teaching Certificate - Social Sciences

Certified Trainer in “Tactics for Effective Leadership” Development Dimensions International ( DDI)

Vice President- Human Resource Management Association, Princeton, NJ 2008-2009

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