Management Manager

A seasoned human resources professional, with a background of more than 15 years’ diverse senior experience in generalist, specialist and management roles. Expertise in employee relations, people management, performance management, talent management, recruitment, and well-developed coaching skills.

BMO FINANCIAL GROUP 2009 to 2015

Technology line of business: supporting Capital Markets & Enterprise Risk Portfolio Management

Senior Manager, Employee Engagement & Communication November 2013 – October 2015

Drive high performance, where employees are motivated to contribute to organizational success, and at the same time enhance their own sense of wellbeing and feeling of community and connection to the organization.

Development of the annual “Employee Engagement & Communication Strategy” to: (a) Increase knowledge between internal “pillars”, (b) improve two-way communication between employees and leaders, (c) encourage innovation, and (d) cultivate a sense of community. Accomplishments: project management of a departmental website, creation of the quarterly employee newsletter, formation of an Employee Engagement Council (more than 20 employees representing Toronto, New York, Chicago and London, UK), captain of Heart & Stroke Big Bike fundraising team for two years, raising $8,500 in the first year and $10,200 in the second year.

Preparation of strategic employee communications from the executive office of the CIO (Chief Information Officer).

Event planning for leadership events & special projects, such as Town Halls for 500 employees – sourcing of venues, negotiation of contracts (with venue, catering and A/V), assistance with agenda creation, on-the-day event management and troubleshooting.

Senior Ambassador for the United Way Employee Giving Campaign. Accomplishments: increased 2013 participation rate from 53% to 85%, orientation and management of 25 Ambassadors (who organized awareness events). Increased participation rate to over 87% in 2014 and worked with 30 Ambassadors.

Member of Technology & Operations Diversity Council – Employee Engagement Committee.

Manager, Project Management July 2011 – November 2013

Managed a team of Technology project managers

Talent management: resource planning, recruitment & onboarding, and ongoing assessment & career development of team via coaching and performance management.

Relationship management with Project Management Office partners, e.g. Quality Assurance & Business Management.

Governance of project initiation, delivery, reporting and close-out.

Issue escalation and resolution.

Senior Human Resources Business Partner January 2009 - July 2011

Strategic HR partner to the Senior Vice President and his leadership team, supporting 700 employees in Canada, USA and China.

Partnered with executives and senior leaders in recruitment, leadership development, talent management and succession planning.

Delivered HR programs to align with business objectives: recruitment, learning & development, compensation cycle, annual employee survey.

Provided organizational development & change management support in an extensive/continuous environment of growth.

Developed pro-active HR compensation strategies to successfully address specific retention issues.

Coached managers and employees to resolve performance issues or diligently exit low performers out of the organization.

Developed pro-active diversity strategies to successfully address Employment Equity targets.

Coached, mentored and managed an HR Business Partner for just over 1 year.

CANADA MORTGAGE & HOUSING CORPORATION (CMHC) 2007-2009

Regional HR Manager (Ontario)

Managed a team of HR professionals, and was also HR partner to the General Manager (Ontario) and his senior leadership team.

Counseled and supported the leadership team.

Managed recruitment process.

Developed HR Plan for Ontario Region to achieve overall business strategy.

Liaised with other Regional HR Managers across Canada and the National Office in Ottawa to develop & implement corporate policies & practices.

Developed succession plan to address potential shortage of skilled talent due to upcoming retirements.

Resolved escalated performance management issues.

Developed pro-active strategies to foster a positive, supportive culture of inclusion – reached out to the Aboriginal community and “Newcomers to Canada” organization.

Managed the year-end compensation program for the Region.

CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE (CIBC) 1997-2007

Senior Employee Relations Consultant 2006 - 2007

(Supported Head Office & Professionals groups – e.g. Technology, HR, Marketing, Finance & Legal)

Management of risk, and compliance with legislation and CIBC HR policies & programs.

Counseled and supported executives and managers in respect to restructuring

Supported employees with coaching, counseling and mediation.

Coached managers on progressive discipline, and how to deliver performance discussions effectively.

Tracked issues and identified workplace trends, and took action to improve the work environment.

Senior Human Resources Consultant (supported Global Operations) 2003 – 2006 Strategic consultant to a Senior Vice President and her team of Senior Directors, as well as consultant to all levels of employees in a client group of 500.

Partnered with senior leaders to manage recruitment, succession planning and talent mapping.

HR business partner in the development and implementation of people change management strategies, organizational re-alignment, business planning and communication on the OTIS (Operations & Technology Integrated Strategy) Project - a 3-year organizational re-engineering project to examine and change the way functions are delivered, enhancing the technology that supports these functions – OTIS goals are cost, controls and quality.

Provided coaching to managers to enable them to evaluate employee performance and potential.

Developed long-term HR Strategic Plan.

Process improvement and implementation of solutions as HR “Prime” for all of Global Operations (3,000+ employees) regarding the “Achievers” reward & recognition program.

Actioned employee survey results to address issues.

Business partner in the year-end Compensation process.

Pro-active design and delivery of career planning workshops across the line of business.

Mentored and coached a junior HR employee via HR Mentoring Program – 12-month commitment.

Senior Employment Equity/Diversity Consultant 2001 - 2003

Provided professional advice & support to HR teams and lines of business clients.

Strategic partner to executives and committees from two major client groups (Retail Markets & World Markets) in the analysis and execution of their semi-annual Employment Equity Plans.

Successful completion of a Canadian Human Rights Commission Compliance Audit.

Counseled and partnered with the leadership team to develop unique recruitment programs and tools to meet or exceed corporate hiring goals.

Project managed the re-design and implementation of CIBC’s Canadian Accommodation Policy.

Project managed the revision of the Employment Equity survey and related materials.

Partnered with Employee Relations in the resolution of human rights, accommodation & harassment/discrimination issues, and Occupational Health Services on Accommodation Program/Policy & disability management issues.

Workplace Accommodation Program Manager 1998 - 2001

Management of the safe return to work of employees on medical leaves of absence by assessing & implementing accommodation needs. Co-ordination of complex accommodation solutions for employees with disabilities.

Managed within the Accommodation Program’s budget of $500K.

Regularly consulted with CIBC’s Chief Architect, Senior Designer and Corporate Real Estate when new ergonomic devices were being considered as the bank standard.

Recruited and managed student ergonomists.

Developed the business case and project plan for the “Corporate Ergonomics Strategy”, in order to ensure full compliance with legislative changes to the Canada Labour Code.

Reduced wait time for ergonomic assessments from 6 weeks to 48-hour service.

Reduced equipment costs by $50K per annum by negotiating with vendors for superior products at reduced prices and by utilizing CIBC Real Estate for installations. Also worked with Strategic Sourcing to develop Service Level Agreements and fee reductions with ergonomic suppliers.

Rehabilitation Co-ordinator 1997 - 1998

Consultation on the design & formulation of HR policies and procedures for the new abilities-based disability management system, as a member of the “Disability Management Review Committee”.

Authored a comprehensive audit of the disability management system for senior management, which identified systemic barriers to returning to work from STD/LTD - resulted in process improvement and a saving of $6.5-7 million annually from 1999-2003.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) degree – York University

Certificate in Public Relations (in progress) – Ryerson University

Certificate in Human Resources Management – Ryerson University

Certificate in Coaching Skills for Managers & Directors – Schulich Executive Education Centre (York University)

Certificate in Rehabilitation Services (President’s Honour List) - Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology

Employment Law course – George Brown College

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION:

Member of International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Fundamentals course in the Co-Active Coach Training Program – The Coaches Training Institute (CTI)

Alternative Dispute Resolution Workshop – Stitt/Feld/Handy Group

People Change Management in HR: Building Foundational Capability Workshop

Participated with Senior Executives in the CIBC “Leadership Effectiveness Program”, an intensive professional & personal leadership training program (12-month commitment).

Consulting Skills for Professionals – Consulting Alliance

Leadership Through People Skills – Communicare

CIBC courses: Performance Management & Progressive Discipline, Managing Absenteeism, Leading through Change, Change Management, Effective Individual Development Plan Conversations for Managers.

BMO courses: Fundamentals of Change Leadership, Introduction to Project Management, Performance Management & Coaching, Positive Power & Influence.

Standard First Aid CPR/AED Certified – Canadian Red Cross

VOLUNTEER WORK:

BMO Volunteer Days and Days of Caring: Habitat for Humanity house build, Meals on Wheels, Yonge St Mission. Fundraising leader for United Way, Kids Help Phone, Heart & Stroke Foundation, and Sistering: A Woman’s Place.

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