Christine Mason M.A. in HRM, SPHR, GPHR, MIPD
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, USA
760-***-**** **************@*****.***
GLOBAL HUMAN RESOURCES EXECUTIVE – WILLING TO TRAVEL/WORK REMOTELY
Trusted Global Human Resources Executive with over 20 years’ experience developing, leading and executing business aligned Global HR strategy via remote HR teams around the globe (45+ countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa; multiple states in the US) to scale companies for growth and profitability. Originally from the UK, with diverse industry experience, from high-tech startups to Fortune 500, complex, matrixed, global, multi-site, high tech and biotech, all fast paced, increasingly complex environments.
Proven ability to creatively design and deliver global HR strategies within high-growth companies, resulting in increased employee engagement, development of corporate culture and teams, and achievement of corporate goals. Collaborative and culturally sensitive business partner and advisor, with ability to influence leadership, provide HR technical expertise, and have a seat at the executive table. Well rounded, with senior level in-house and consulting experience, strategic and hands on, and able to connect across all levels of the organization. Capacity to anticipate and respond to change proactively, and current on HR best practices.
Summary of Qualifications
Global HR Expertise
Corporate Restructuring
Organizational Development
Change Management
Performance/Succession Management
Talent Acquisition
Talent Management
HR Function Infrastructure
Team & Leadership Development
Compensation & Benefits
Employee Engagement
Mergers & Acquisitions
Strategic Business Planning
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Global HR Compliance
Professional Experience
UPHOLD Inc, San Francisco, California (work remotely/travel as needed) February 2015 - Present
Global financial technology company
Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer
Hired by CEO in this brand new role to build and manage global HR function for high growth financial technology organization across 7 countries in Europe, Americas and APAC. Report to CEO.
Conducted Global HR Assessment and Audit which led to creation and implementation of Global HR Plan. Developed People Strategy aligned with explosive growth of organization and responsible for shaping the culture to retain key talent.
Recruited new CEO (industry leader) and partnered to build C suite of world class subject matter experts.
Grew talent x 3 in first 6 months in 3 geographies, saving organization close to $1m in recruitment costs, ultimately saving over $3m in less than one year with organizational restructuring and no reliance on recruitment agencies.
Satisfactorily resolved multiple complex, long standing employee relations and productivity issues.
Addressed multiple domestic and global HR compliance issues in various HR functional areas such as compensation and benefits, talent acquisition, performance management
Building and implementing multiple Global HR programs and policies to retain talent and improve morale.
SO CAL HR GROUP, San Diego, California March 2012 – February 2015
Providers of professional human resources and recruitment consulting services
Founder and Principal HR Consultant
Partnered with executive teams within client organizations to build HR capacity, develop and deliver Talent Acquisition initiatives, aligning HR function with strategic direction of company – exclusively referral based with repeat business.
Representative work includes:
Built HR infrastructure at global nonprofit organization across 17 countries with limited resources
Supported international operations of a growing medical device organization (260 employees in 14 countries). Developed company-wide HR programs and recruited multiple positions internationally
Designed and implemented an employee engagement initiative at nonprofit organization from conception which resulted in increased employee morale and productivity
Developed expatriate assignment program for a high-tech client organization to enable effective talent transfer
Built HR department infrastructure at high- tech manufacturing client to ensure legal compliance and effective recruitment and retention
PCI (PROJECT CONCERN INTERNATIONAL), San Diego, California June 2009 – March 2012
International health and humanitarian aid non-profit organization, 16 countries in the Americas, Africa and Asia Pacific, 600 employees, $30M revenue, 3 direct reports, 8 indirect reports. Reported to CEO.
VP Global Human Resources (Head of HR function and team – hired by CEO in this brand new role)
Chartered Global Human Resources and Talent Acquisition function and drove organizational change as a key member of the executive leadership team; aligned HR and corporate strategy ensuring internally equitable, externally competitive and legally compliant HR practices and programs worldwide
Created and guided unified Global HR vision and strategy resulting in recruitment of Global HR team, Global HR service and HR Gold Standards across 3 continents (16 countries)
Developed and led start up strategies in 5 new countries resulting in recruitment of key international technical talent within a 90-day window (c.50 positions), execution of critical programs, and 25% organizational growth
Designed and implemented Global HR and Talent Acquisition infrastructure (i.e. global HR & TA toolkits, policies, systems, programs, audits) to ensure global compliance
Created and launched culture changing initiative (“Organizational Excellence”) to drive change and transformation, resulting in the elimination of silos and a more engaged global work force (from 52% to 89% engagement levels)
Coached executive leadership team and conducted Board presentations resulting in creation of International Office Leadership team with higher organizational accountability
SO CAL HR GROUP, San Diego, California 2005 - 2009
Human Resources consulting practice providing HR and Talent Acquisition expertise to organizations
Senior HR Consultant & Founder
Partnered with executive teams to provide strategic and hands-on Human Resource management serving primarily as Interim Head of Human Resources:-
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (US subsidiary of multi-national biotech)
Conducted post-acquisition audit and alignment of US HR practices, resulting in better corporate and subsidiary relationship and increasing the visibility of the employment brand
Recruited and on-boarded multiple senior level, scarce-skill scientists resulting in 300% improvement in recruitment process and achievement of site objectives
Nominated for and won SHRM Workplace Excellence Award due to employee engagement initiative (Values into Practice) resulting in increased employee morale and retention
IBS Interprit (US subsidiary of multi-national software technology organization)
Conducted global HR audit resulting in identification and elimination of compliance issues
Developed communication strategies between key project teams in US and Norway resulting in improved morale and employee relations globally
Set up office in Shanghai, recruiting key leadership for that geography enabling growth of a critical business location
Ortho Organizers (US Medical Device R&D and Manufacturers with International Distributors)
Undertook post-acquisition integration; led audit and development of HR best practices including recruitment, compensation and benefits, and training and development
Facilitated strategic planning sessions and conducted culture audit, transforming culture from entrepreneurial to professional multi-national, sales organization
ADVANCED MARKETING SERVICES, San Diego, California 2003 - 2005
Public, multi-national wholesale publisher and distributor of books; 8 locations worldwide including US, Australia, Canada, UK, 1400 employees, 5 direct reports. Company went bankrupt for business practices prior to my joining.
Director, Corporate HR Operations & Talent Acquisition
Rebuilt and directed Corporate HR team and function during a period of vast organizational change; introduced stability and professionalism to HR resulting in superior client group satisfaction and zero attrition
Resolved legal compliance issues and improved employee relations by initiating and directing immigration audit of this culturally diverse organization
Re-engineered and executed US HR processes to ensure alignment with Sarbanes Oxley including revision of policy handbooks and new global ethics policy
AMYLIN PHARMACEUTICALS, San Diego, California 2002 - 2003
Biotech organization
Senior Global HR Consultant (contract position)
Hired by CEO to globalize HR and guided a team of international executives during a long-term global HR assignment with Amylin Pharmaceuticals: Initiated HR infrastructure across European operations (Germany, UK, France) to ensure legally compliant, internally equitable and externally competitive practices in preparation for growth and global positioning within these markets
CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS (Tality Corporation – pre IPO spin off), San Diego, California 2000 - 2002
Global leader in software and hardware design tools, silicon intellectual property, and design services; 14 locations worldwide including US, Canada, UK, India and Japan, 1400 employees, 22 indirect reports. Spin off was closed down.
Global Talent Acquisition Director (Pre-IPO spin off which was ultimately closed down by parent company due to post 911 market conditions)
Established 2 new global locations in India, resulting in hire of 500 technical employees through newly designed Employee Referral Program
Led global talent acquisition team and leveraged best talent acquisition practices across geographies, resulting in costs savings of $500k in first quarter
Designed and implemented global reward strategies to effectively manage retention in a highly competitive market
NOKIA, INC, Dallas, Texas 1998 - 2000
Major telecoms organization; 8 sites across US, Canada and South America, 8000 employees, 3 direct reports. (Relocated to California)
International HR Director - Americas region
Established and directed Global HR Services function, resulting in successful recruitment, retention and development of key talent around the globe, partnering with HR teams in Europe, Americas and Asia Pacific
Increased growth of North American operations from 5000 to 8000 by identifying best talent (executives, managers and technical staff) from international locations and through University Relations
Developed and oversaw assessment centers to identify large pool of global managers for international assignment, and designed Nokia’s global expatriation process from selection to repatriation.
Implemented a global succession plan and repatriation strategy for North America to employ across functional and cross-cultural project teams, facilitating knowledge transfer across the globe
Previous European Human Resources Experience
ST MICROELECTRONICS LTD, Multi-national Semi-Conductor Organization, Global HR Consultant 1997-1998
MATRA MARCONI SPACE, Multi-national Space Defense Organization, Assistant HR Director 1995 - 1997
ENVAGE -UK, Environmental Protection Agency, Senior HR Manager 1990 – 1995 (promoted 3 times)
Education & Affiliations
Leadership Development Program
Center for Creative Leadership
Master of Arts- Human Resources Management
University of the West of England, Bristol
Graduated with distinction. Focus was on International HR, Organizational Development & Psychology, and Managing Organizational Change
Chartered Institute for Personnel & Development
4 year professional HR qualifications requiring continuous professional development
Salford University, Manchester, United Kingdom
Certified Assessor, SHL Psychometric Tests
Certified Job Analyst and Evaluator, Hay Management
SoCal Global HR Group, President & Founde
r
Board member – Wildcoast International (global non-profit)
Including pro bono HR work