KELLY WILLIAMS, MSW, SPHR
Chicago, IL *****
C: 630-***-****
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in the fields of Organizational Development, Human Resources, Learning & Development and Coaching. Entrepreneurial leadership experience in both service and product based businesses.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
TALENT PARTNERS – Chicago, Illinois June 2013 – July 2015 In its nearly 50 year history, Talent Partners grew from a specialty payroll company focused on commercial talent to a powerhouse provider of more than 125 essential services. Extreme Reach acquired Talent Partners on June 15, 2015.
Chief Talent Officer
§ Served as business partner, confidant and coach regarding strategic initiatives, organizational culture, performance, legal/compliance, organizational design and business execution.
§ Created internal communication strategy and launched weekly newsletter within 6 weeks of hire to address internal survey results regarding communication.
§ Designed and executed strategy to protect and retain internal talent amidst competitor’s aggressive tactics.
§ Led the HR & OD components within M&A process for two newly acquired companies, including front end due diligence and enculturation and integration efforts post acquisition.
§ Developed strategic plan to shift traditional HR & Learning model towards revenue generating service line for company while also meeting and expanding training and development opportunities for employees.
§ Worked with CFO to develop weekly executive level flash report for CEO in support of Board communications.
§ Led the design and execution of two new offices in NY & Chicago; moving 100 employees in each location.
§ Upgraded benefits package by replacing HMO with mid-tier PPO with cost benefits for company and employees.
§ Redesign organization to support changing market/client base and scalability for five-year plan.
§ Crafted performance based model to foster cultural shift with emphasis on career development and rewards.
§ Served as interim Chief Client Officer (operations/service) during company-wide transformation. ABERCROMBIE & KENT – Downers Grove, Illinois January 2007 – June 2013 Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) is the original luxury travel company; born as a safari outfitter in 1962, A&K’s unparalleled travel services extend around the globe to more than one hundred countries on all seven continents. Vice President, Human Resources, Learning & Development February 2009 – June 2013
§ Consistently called on to lead and/or sponsor large project rollouts, while also serving as a sounding board, coach and consultant to colleagues regarding strategic initiatives, organizational culture, performance, employee relations and business execution. Successfully led organization through several change initiatives, including reductions in force and subsequent department restructures.
§ Grew learning culture via A&K’s University model averaging 50+ classes in US office per month, along with implementation of online self-study video library and strong onboarding process for expanded reach to international offices. Primary focus: Product Knowledge, Talent Exchange and Performance Management.
§ Strategically shifted insides sales hiring profile in anticipation of changing business model and diminishing talent pool. Designed and implemented successful staffing and recruitment plan focused on behavioral interviews, candidate pipelines, hiring manager profiles and applicant tracking. Created experiential interview process to better identify candidates for key positions. Designed pro-active staffing initiative that significantly decreased average time to fill to less than one week. Decreased reliance of temporary agencies and address unexpected shortages by successfully implementing intermittent talent pool.
§ Creator of the Knowledge Management Tool, designed for internal sales team to ensure knowledge, create efficiency and drive sales/service utilizing company’s consumer facing website as platform. Efficiency gains were immediate with launch: reduced 125 clicks to 25 clicks per sales call with a savings of 5+ minutes per call.
§ Developed five year healthcare benefits strategy for US employee base of 185 resulting in $300,000+ savings year one. Negotiated year over year savings and smooth transitions with multiple providers including, Medical, Vision, Dental, Long Term Disability and 401k.
§ Successfully closed several Department of Labor audits and outstanding legal issues inherited with position and within 6 months resolved previously recurring issue with 5500 filings. Page 1 of 2
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§ Implemented comprehensive compensative strategy including pay for performance model decreasing company costs and maintaining the integrity of salary ranges while still rewarding performance. Instrumental is shifting sales incentive program to a line in sight model with weekly/monthly incentives, targeted contests, specific goals for new team members and a menu based incentive model. Director, Learning & Development January 2007 – February 2009
§ Created and launched full scale learning strategy and course curriculum for A&K University including implementation of online class enrollment via the Intranet and “Great Start” component for new employees.
§ Designed best practice series to leverage in house talent, launch sales & service standards and training plan, created soft skills workshops based on performance needs and revamped rewards & recognition strategy.
§ Prior to promotion to Director level position developed leadership curriculum for management team, upgraded the performance management process, created & facilitated two day off-site retreat for executive team and designed & launched company-wide annual survey process. TIERS TO YOU – Chicago, Illinois July 2005 – February 2009 Co-founder of start-up Company creating one-of-a-kind serving pieces and home décor items. Venture named one of nine companies to watch in 2007 by the Chicago Tribune.
§ Designed brand including product materials, packaging and web site.
§ Successfully developed growth strategy that tripled client base.
§ Launched two additional complimentary business lines. ACCESS – Bath, Maine September 2002 – February 2009 Business Partner in a coaching and consulting company offering a variety of programs and services to a diverse, international client list including but not limited to: school systems, law firms, healthcare organizations, governmental programs and YMCA’s, as well as to individuals via tele-class.
§ Served as a coach to individual client base with both professional and personal coaching services.
§ Provided HR & Organizational Development consulting to contracted companies.
§ Led the development of branded material and designed company’s inaugural web site. EARLY POSITIONS
§ Central DuPage Health, OD Specialist (October 1998-August 2002)
§ Rush Home Care Network, Alternate Site Liaison (August 1996-October 1998)
§ Montgomery Place, Health Care Pavilion Coordinator (May 1995 – July 1996)
§ First Choice Health Care Corporation, Social Worker/Marketer (November 1994 – March 1995)
§ Lakeview Nursing & Geriatric Centre, Director, Admission/Marketing (June 1993 – November 1994)
§ Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Social Worker Brain Trauma Unit (January 1992 – June 1993) EDUCATION
Masters of Social Work - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan Bachelor of Science, Human Resources Development - Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan ACHIEVEMENTS
§ Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification (SPHR)
§ Certified facilitator - Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
§ Accredited facilitator - Margerison-McCann Team Management System
§ Co-winner - Abercrombie & Kent’s International 2012 Chairman’s Creativity Award
§ Graduate of The Second City Improvisation program
§ Chicago Marathon: 2012 & 2013
§ Scholarship Athlete – Women’s Volleyball