Melissa D. Ward, SPHR
*******.****.****@*****.*** 489 Tibet Road, Columbus, OH 43202 614-***-****
More than 14 years of experience in progressively responsible HR roles with an
emphasis on serving as an effective business partner to management and
executives. Highly trusted in employee relations, staffing and personnel
development, workforce and utilization planning and reporting, and providing
training and consultation to employees at all levels.
• Excellent results in recruiting, selection, and staffing.
• Extensive background in training, orientation and personnel development.
• Highly advanced technical skills, including PeopleSoft, SAP and other HRIS as well as expert
level Excel and Access reporting and analysis functions.
• Extensive accomplishments in performance management and compensation.
• Strong project management skills including planning, execution and follow through.
• Highly accomplished oral and written communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of HR practices, standards and US regulations.
• Experienced in employee relations, EEO and AA reporting and auditing, and labor law
requirements.
Career Progression
Contractor: HR Generalist 2014
Provided HR Generalist support in banking industry. Developed new approach and best practices for
extensive hiring needs at all levels, including high level sales, marketing, IT and support functions. Provided
expertise and approach for transitioning HRIS/Recruiting system (HR Smart). Created approach and
transitioned personnel file and confidential HR files to secure SharePoint site.
Plante Moran: HR Generalist 2011-2013
Providing HR support for 3 offices of regional accounting firm consisting of 2000 staff in 22 offices with 15
years as one of Fortune Magazine’s Best Places to Work. Support included extensive work in employee
relations, performance management, recruiting, training, benefits and general HR support.
• Built relationships with executives and leadership as business partner to build coaching and people
development skills. Included labor law training, feedback writing training, and coaching on HR issues.
• Extensive work with staff and management at all levels focused on recruiting, retention, career
development, coaching, and benefits.
Contractor: HR Generalist 2009-2010
Worked in a variety of industries on temporary assignments. Roles included providing HR generalist support
at Cardinal Health and administrative support using PeopleSoft at Nationwide Insurance, as well as other
assignments.
Accenture: 1999-2008
HR Manager: 2005–2008
Team lead for an HR Operations team providing support for a global group, including compensation,
promotion and performance processes, numerous assessments of productivity and staffing levels, headcount
movement and attrition, and workforce planning.
• Served extensively as business partner providing HR reporting and analysis directly to executive
leadership team including operations, finance and HR directors, as well as ad hoc projects and research.
• Highly involved in tracking and planning headcount movement, compensation processes, and
performance measurement.
• Managed team of four functional specialists, analysts and contractors, with oversight of staffing, training
and performance management for team in multiple locations.
Specialist: 2002–2005
Provided HR Operations support to three geographically distributed groups. Focus included compensation
and performance processes and headcount movement, as well as ad hoc projects and research. Included
significant reporting and analysis using SAP HR modules.
• Extensive project management and ad hoc requests. Facilitated process timelines and deliverables and
managed competing priorities.
• Coordinated information and reports among HR, operations, finance and organization leadership across a
range of processes and locations.
Human Resources Representative: 2001–2002
Responsibilities included staffing, reporting, employee relations and counseling, communication, and
overseeing various HR processes including productivity, performance appraisals, and compensation
management. Very high level of interaction with employees at all levels on a day-to-day basis. Extensive
coaching and problem solving.
Analyst: 1999–2001
Supported local HR with on-boarding, orientation, employee relations, and HR/benefits administration.
Other responsibilities included recruiting, training; compensation and performance process administration.
Assisted with EEO audit of the Columbus office and creation of local Affirmative Action plan.
Pepsico/ Tricon Global Restaurants: Staffing Lead 1997–1998
Provided HR generalist and staffing support to 54 Pizza Hut locations with 1,750 employees. Duties included
executive recruitment, planning and execution of staffing programs, workforce planning, HR compliance
inspections, extensive HR training, coaching, and reporting.
Management Recruiters International: Corporate Recruiter 1996
Recruited and screened candidates for diverse positions and managed the hiring process for the candidates in
a wide range of industries.
Education and Certifications
SPHR, Senior Professional in Human Resources 2014
HR Certification Institute
Masters Degree of Labor and Human Resources 1996
Max M. Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University
Bachelor of Arts in Communication 1995
The Ohio State University, graduated with honors.