Human Resources Management

Lawrence Vella

Toronto, Ontario

416-***-**** acxy10@r.postjobfree.com

ca.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-vella

EXECUTIVE PROFILE

Passionate Senior Human Resources Leader. Expertise providing accountable Human Resources leadership to multi-site, customer service, growth oriented organizations throughout Canada and the U.S. Broad depth of experience in Organizational Development, Management coaching/counselling, Employee Relations, M&A, Talent Development, Labour & Industrial Relations, Compensation & Benefits. Established and implemented strategic business plans and delivered leadership development, succession planning, training and organizational effectiveness initiatives. Recognized for ability to quickly establish trust/credibility by partnering with leadership team, building strong relationships with key stakeholders. Experienced in numerous industry verticals demonstrating ability to quickly grasp different market nuances and cultures.

CAREER SYNOPSIS

Leadership:

Managed comprehensive Human Resources departments. Developed/mentored staff to increase skills and achieve company/personal goals in performance driven organizations.

Succession Planning/Employee Development:

Led OD initiatives – increasing Engagement scores by 15% over 2 years. Reduction in turn over by 10% was also partially attributable to these initiatives. Executed annual Succession Planning process in a matrixed environment. Consulted with management client groups, developing a succession planning process for Hi-po candidates to meet corporate needs.

Employee Relations/Labour Relations:

Chief spokesperson in negotiation of labor contracts and union relations in Canada and the United States. Facilitated the decertification of a single bargaining unit. Current with Canadian and U.S. employment and labor law.

Mergers & Acquisitions:

Experience with both sides of M&A from the due diligence process through integration. Participated in demerger from parent organization and an IPO.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

RECALL CORP/IRON MOUNTAIN 2009 – 2016

International information/document management company (21 countries) with global HQ in Australia and North American HQ in Atlanta, GA

Human Resources Leader, Canada (Director/Sr.HR Business Partner level)

Collaborative Internal Consultant for all HR activities for Canadian operations (500+ people, 23 sites across the country).

Led OD structural changes during NA corporate restructuring, facilitating management moves across the enterprise, assessing capabilities, influencing change management, talent acquisition and strategy requirements.

Acted as NA Champion for global engagement survey. Responsible for, interpretation of outcomes in Canada, leading organization through Action Planning and Change processes to increase engagement scores by 10% over previous survey.

Headed Canadian Due Diligence activities in initial phases of demerger process from parent company preparing for IPO.

Lead Negotiator through a labour union strike in Montreal (2009); Negotiated contract renewals with the Teamsters in Toronto (2010, 2013), the C.A.W., now Unifor in B.C. (2011, 2014), the CSN in Montreal (2009, 2012).

Established new on-line Performance Development Process simplifying and reducing the time required by managers.

Led Succession Planning and OD & Change initiatives (Talking Talent). Developed and facilitated numerous management training programs (MDP, Union Avoidance, PDP Training, Diversity/Multicultural training, HR101 etc.).

Launched Federal Contractors program to bring Canada into compliance with HRDC’s requirements for bidding on large federal government contracts.

Brought Ontario facilities into compliance with AODA requirements including Policy development, Management and staff training and Ministry filings.

Conducted stand up training for new Manager/Employee Self-Serve capabilities on upgraded HCM System.

Worked with PwC on Due Diligence and Integration activities for 7 months prior to close and 3 months post close.

NEWALTA 2006 – 2008

National, public company with $200M+ revenue in the waste recovery and environmental protection field.

Director, Human Resources

Led Human Resources for the Eastern Canada in three divisions with through HR managers, 14 staff for 22+ sites.

Developed annual HR Plan - budget and organization. Managed a staff of 14 HR professionals through 3 Managers

Led the Diligence & Integration process through three acquisitions, developed salary / wage scales, led Workforce Planning, integrated management teams and trained employees to ensure smooth integration.

Participated in development of national HR strategies/deliverables that aligned with current and future needs of the company; encouraged best practices to advance company brand as “Employer of Choice”.

Ran all functional HR areas including, Recruitment, Benefits, Comp and the negotiation of six collective agreements for eastern Canadian CBAs achieving company mandates.

Facilitated the decertification of a previously unionized facility in Fort Erie.

COM DEV SPACE 2003 – 2006

Design, manufacture and assembly of high technology satellite components for military and commercial communications applications; annual revenues $100M, 1,000 employees.

Director, Human Resources

Reported to the VPHR. Managed staff of five with locations in Canada, UK and California.

Provided strategic leadership to implement a “Workshare” program and reduce payroll by 20% resulting in an annualized payroll savings of $400K+. Fostered leading HR practice initiatives and maintain an engaged HR support team.

Managed annual salary planning process, designed a new compensation plan for senior management group and a management incentive bonus based on corporate performance.

Renegotiated the benefit carrier contract reducing costs by 30% over the previous year’s renewal.

Implemented internal Assessment program aiding the identification and development of high potential candidates for succession planning resulting in reduced turnover and increased engagement scores.

Implemented a corporate-wide Performance Management Survey to improve retention through increased employee engagement/satisfaction.

WESBELL GROUP OF COMPANIES 2000 – 2002

Canadian owned private company with interests in high tech communications, equipment repair and installation; seven Canadian and three U.S. locations, annual sales of $85M.

Director, Human Resources

Top Human Resources position; Built out the first comprehensive HR function, 600 permanent employees throughout Canada and United States.

Designed a Performance Management System to align, measure and reward participants for attainment of the corporate goals and business plans.

Oversaw the development of HR policies and procedures including corporate Code of Conduct, Employee Handbook and company newsletter to creating standardized protocols at all locations.

Conducted Climate Surveys resulting in a Training Needs Analysis. Developed an integrated training plan to improve employee productivity and cultural improvements.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Executive MBA Program, Northern Illinois University

Bachelor of Arts – BA Psychology, McMaster University

CHRL – In progress

Labour Studies Certificate Program, McMaster University

Executive Industrial Relations Certificate, Queens University

“Secret” Clearance issued through Public Works Canada

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