Human Resources Sales

Kenneth J. Somers

** ****** ***** *****, *********, MA 01748

508-***-**** . Email: ************@*****.***

VERSATILE HR EXECUTIVE

A domestic and international HR leader with a track record distinguished by

success in designing and leading human capital initiatives directly aligned

to strategic business objectives. Proven professional who performs as a key

business partner and provides critical leadership to the executive and

nonexecutive teams. Hands-on leader with ability to prioritize and manage

projects in fast-paced, multitasking environments. A reputation for

integrity, a commercial orientation, and a passion for the business.

Cultivator of talent.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Trusted Executive Coach Management & Employee Asia HR Practices

& Advisor Communications

Employee Relations Change Management Strategic HR Planning

REPRESENTATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

< Strategic HR Leadership:

> Integrated transformative acquisition that quadrupled headcount and

AUM

> Led all human capital dimensions of major field sales force

restructuring:

< channelized more than 150 sales representatives

< consolidated 18 sales offices into 9 expanded regions

< rationalized affiliated sales administrative teams

< managed position eliminations for 9% of division yielding more

than $10M annual run rate savings

> Led all HR initiatives in the successful sale of a non-core unit -

driving all HR due diligence and transitional activities

< Talent Leadership:

> Initiated executive talent review process for board of directors

> Designed and implemented business' first-ever, development-based

performance review process

> Successfully recruited and on-boarded various senior business

leaders:

o a new national sales leader enabling attainment of first year

results at 108% of plan

o a new broker/dealer President who transformed a loss-making

unit

o a geographic business unit CEO

o a geographic business unit CHRO

o numerous other senior expatriate staff and leaders

> Developed and delivered innovative and impactful talent management

programs yielding a strengthened pipeline for several key

leadership roles

< Change Management & Employee Engagement

> Successfully managed multiple staff reduction programs both

domestically and internationally

o minimal employee relations disruptions

> Drove highly differentiated pay decisions in successive critically

compensation-constrained environments

> Delivered highest employee engagement scores within the broader

organization

< 94% participation; statistically significant higher scores on

all key engagement metrics

> Divisional change leader

Recent Professional Experience

MATHWORKS

2013 - present

Senior Manager, Asia Pacific HR

HR business partner primarily supporting sales and services groups in 5

APAC countries including a development team in India.

PHILADELPHIA FINANCIAL GROUP

2012 - 2013

Vice President, Human Capital and Management Services

CEO direct report; joined the firm to create Human Capital and Management

Services functions. Initial areas of focus in talent practices,

acquisition integration, and establishing core HR infrastructure

capabilities

THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP

2005 - 2012

Vice President & Director of Human Resources - Wealth Management (2008

-2012)

Senior HR business partner for the Life Insurance Division, delivering

effective and pragmatic business partnership to home office leaders and

field offices with more than 1000 total staff across the United States; 240

of whom were sales professionals. Thought partner, coach, and trusted

advisor.

Chief Human Resources Officer - Tokyo, Japan (2005 - 2008)

As a CEO direct report, led HR, Corporate Communications & Corporate

Services for this 800 employee, $10B subsidiary of The Hartford

. Coached interim CEO to stabilize the organization following the abrupt

resignation of the previous incumbent thereby preventing key talent

losses and disruption to distribution relationships

< Partnered with CEO to realign the organization for greater success

resulting in 20% year on year sales growth

< Coached numerous expatriates to accelerate their effectiveness in a

traditional Japanese environment

< Led business' first ever staff reductions without adverse employee

relations consequences

< Personally drove successful completion of a 1000 seat/$29M office

relocation

MORGAN STANLEY - Tokyo, Japan

2000 - 2005

Executive Director Human Resources

Recruited to lead HR for all Morgan Stanley business units in Japan. Role

expanded to simultaneously encompass Head of HR for Japan, Head of HR for

India and Centers of Excellence (COE) executive for Asia Pacific. Led HR

teams totaling more than seventy staff.

< Reduced Japan tax risks through various benefit redesigns including

deferred compensation plans yielding improved retention of key talent

for the Japan business

< Led Asia-wide shared services centers of excellence for Compensation,

Benefits, HR Technology, Tax, International Mobility, and Learning &

Development

< Built out stable and effective HR capabilities for four Morgan Stanley

entities in India; most HR talent has remained and grown in their

roles in what remains a highly volatile talent market

< Doubled Mumbai-based captive equity and fixed income research unit

from 250 staff to more than 500 in less than 12 months

Early Career Experience

TOWERS PERRIN - Hong Kong

Senior Consultant

Assigned to Hong Kong with regional responsibilities for supporting and

developing business opportunities with multinational clients and complex

local organizations

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES - Various domestic and international

locations

Program Director, Human Resources

Early career assignments in IBM's Research Division, Corporate

Headquarters, and Americas/Far East Division [pic]culminating with initial

expatriate posting to Singapore as Program Director of Human Resources for

IBM's services business in the Asia/Pacific region.

Education/Affiliation

< MBA (Human Resources) and BA (English Literature) - University of

Massachusetts, Amherst

< Alumni member of Society of Human Resource Management's Global

Expertise Panel

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