EVELYN RIVERA-RIFFENBURG, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

* **** ***** *****, *******, CT 06082

413-***-**** e-mail: ad0d4s@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Profile

Senior Human Resources leader and business partner looking to leverage my unique blend of HR experience in private and publicly traded sectors, big picture thinking and strategic planning skills, strong business acumen and formal education to achieve HR objectives as a Vice President. Areas of Expertise

Talent Management Labor Relations Change Management Training and Development Employee Engagement Performance Management Process Improvement Business Partner Team Builder Professional Experience

Executive Director of Human Resources, Holyoke Community College (01/2022 - present)

● Led HR functions for a community college with just under 5,000 students, including talent acquisition, performance management, and employee and labor relations.

● Developed and implemented HR procedures that increased department efficiency and ensured compliance with state and federal laws.

● Collaborated with college leadership to identify and address organizational challenges, including labor relations, employee engagement, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

● Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by implementing process improvements and training initiatives.

Director of Human Resources, Chicopee Public Schools (07/2020 – 01/2022)

● Revised human resources strategies by developing and executing talent acquisition, staffing, employment processing, compensation, training and development, records management, succession planning, employee relations, retention, and labor relations programs.

● Oversaw human resources operations by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, and counseling staff, managing the evaluation process, reviewing staff job contributions, maintaining compensation, and resolving problems.

● Supervised two labor unions with seven contracts, handling employee relations, grievances, arbitrations, and negotiations.

● Provided human resources advice, counsel, and decisions to management, analyzing information and applications and recommending necessary actions.

Director of Human Resources, Town of Amherst, MA (03/2019 – 06/2020)

● Developed and implemented comprehensive human resources strategies, covering areas such as talent acquisition, staffing, employment processing, compensation, health and welfare benefits, training and development, records management, succession planning, employee relations, retention, and labor relations.

● Directed human resources operations, including recruitment, selection, orientation, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplinary actions. Continuously monitor, appraise and review staff job contributions, maintain compensation, resolve problems, and facilitate change implementation.

● Oversaw labor relations with seven unions, effectively managing employee relations, grievances, arbitrations, and negotiations.

● Provided management with expert advice, counsel, and decisions in human resources, analyzing information and applications and recommending necessary actions. Adjunct Professor, Bay Path University, Longmeadow, MA, (01/2015 – present)

● Transitioned courses in the HR Concentration from on-campus to online using the Canvas platform in the Traditional Program.

● Introduced students to various Human Resources topics, including talent and human resources management, Best Practices, Employment Law, and Compensation & Benefits, using relevant cases as examples to enhance learning outcomes.

● Discussed recent legislative changes introduced by the federal government with students, fostering awareness and understanding of their implications on the HR industry.

● Prioritized the retention and success of my students by delivering effective educational experiences, providing ongoing support and guidance, and creating a dynamic learning environment that encourages student engagement and achievement.

Adjunct Professor, Western New England University, Springfield, MA, (10/2019 – present)

● Utilized Kodiak to teach courses in the Business Concentration, delivering engaging and effective educational experiences to students.

● Introduced Compensation & Benefits, Human Resources Management, Performance Management and Conflict management to students, using relevant cases as examples to illustrate concepts and enhance learning outcomes.

● Discussed recent legislative changes introduced by the federal government with students, fostering awareness and understanding of their implications on the business industry.

● Ensured student retention and success by providing ongoing support and guidance, as well as creating a dynamic learning environment that promotes student engagement and achievement. Director of Human Resources, City of Chicopee, MA (08/2017 – 03/2019)

● Developed and implemented comprehensive human resources strategies covering talent acquisition, staffing, employment processing, compensation, health and welfare benefits, training and development, records management, safety and health, succession planning, employee relations, retention, and labor relations.

● Directed human resources operations, including recruitment, selection, orientation, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplinary actions. Continuously monitor, appraise, and review staff job contributions, maintain compensation, resolve problems, and facilitate change implementation.

● Managed six labor unions, effectively handling employee relations, grievances, arbitrations, and negotiations.

● Create financial strategies for human resources operations, estimating, forecasting, and anticipating requirements, trends, and variances. Align monetary resources, develop action plans, measure and analyze results, and initiate corrective actions.

● Accomplished special projects by identifying and clarifying issues and priorities, communicating and coordinating requirements, expediting fulfillment, evaluating milestone accomplishments, analyzing optional courses of action, and adjusting assumptions and direction as needed.

● Provided management with expert advice, counsel, and decisions in human resources, analyzing information and applications and recommending necessary actions. Human Resources Manager, Medtronic (formerly Covidien), Chicopee, MA, (3/2014– 01/2016)

● Aligned human resources initiatives, procedures, and policies with corporate direction, ensuring effective execution of human resources strategy.

● Played a key role in creating and driving the development of departmental goals, objectives, and systems, aligning them with overall corporate objectives.

● Successfully executed mid-level management searches, effectively closing critical gaps and increasing leadership talent.

● Authored, communicated, and implemented job descriptions and pay structures to streamline operations and improve advancement opportunities. These efforts resulted in a significant reduction in turnover within the hourly ranks, specifically a 15% reduction.

● Maintained consistency in managing disciplines and terminations, conducting exit interviews to gain insights for improvement.

● Updated the Employee Handbook to ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations and corporate guidelines.

● Designed and implemented training programs for hourly and supervisory personnel, providing the necessary knowledge and skills to excel.

● Created an Employee Engagement Committee, which raised over $5,000 in community service activities. The committee also contributed to increased employee morale, improved communication, and identified training and development needs.

● Supervised the Training Specialist and Human Resources Generalist while serving as a dotted-line supervisor to the Recruiting Specialist.

Director of Human Resources, Hot Mama’s Foods, Springfield, MA & Elk Grove Village, IL (3/2013 – 3/2014)

● Head of Human Resources for two facilities across two states, overseeing all HR functions for a team of over 200 employees.

● Member of the Senior Management Team, contributing to the creation and implementation of the company's strategic plan.

● Developed and implemented initiatives across various areas of HR, including organizational development, employee relations, recruitment and retention, training and professional development, performance management, diversity, compliance and reporting, and benefits administration.

● Managed organizational changes and ensured employee relations were not negatively impacted.

● Executed executive-level searches to fill critical gaps and improve leadership talent.

● Authored, communicated, and implemented clear job descriptions and position ranges, which helped to define roles and develop hourly succession paths, as well as technical and management career ladders.

● Acted as Interim General Manager, overseeing production, quality/sanitation, maintenance, and supply chain.

● Reduced payroll processing time by 50% and saved the company 13% by moving the IL facility from the Workers' Compensation pool to private insurance in just one year and 7% on Personal and Liability insurance costs.

Human Resources Manager, C & S Wholesale Grocers, Westfield, MA, (6/2009 – 3/2013)

● Human Resources Manager for a workforce of over 400 employees, responsible for managing all HR initiatives, procedures, and policies, ensuring they aligned with corporate direction. In collaboration with senior leadership.

● Helped create and drive the development of department goals, objectives, and systems, focusing on managing compensation, recruitment, performance evaluation systems, benefits, and payroll.

● Oversaw the recruitment and onboarding of exempt and non-exempt personnel for the facility and managed disciplines and terminations for consistency, including conducting exit interviews. As a strategic business partner for General Manager, provided guidance and support in the development and execution of growth plans and objectives.

● Reduced facility turnover from 119% to 88% in 9 months.

● Developed and implemented Skills Assessment Tests for supervisor-level roles that became Best Practices nationally (Regional Knowledge Check).

● Led the New England team on retention initiatives, mentored the Suffield Human Resources Supervisor, and supervised a team of 6 employees (1 supervisor, 2 hourly payroll specialists, 2 hourly Human Resources Associates, and 1 Administrative Assistant).

Employee Relations Manager, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., Greenfield/Pittsfield, MA; Albany/Tupper Lake, NY; Rutland, VT; East Hartford/Naugatuck, CT, (11/2007 – 6/2009)

● Head of human resources for seven facilities, including three union facilities, responsible for overseeing all HR functions managed the administration of the CBA for the International Teamsters Brotherhood (ITB), which involved overseeing negotiations, the grievance process, arbitration panels, and interpretation of the CBA.

o A key accomplishment was successfully negotiating a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for Upstate NY, covering five local unions, including the Albany facility.

● Led the development and implementation of HR initiatives, procedures, and policies that aligned with our corporate direction, including managing the termination process, conducting exit interviews for voluntary separations, and serving as an employee advocate in resolving issues with benefit providers.

● Provided coaching, mentoring, and career advice to managers and employees and guided managers on employee relations issues and the performance management process.

● Developed a Human Resources Team Room, which provided supervisory and management personnel access to the most updated documents, training, and development tools. Lastly, I was a member of the Retirement Process Project Team, which successfully streamlined the retirement process. Education

● Southern New Hampshire University – Master of Science in Organizational Leadership

● Bay Path University – Master of Science in Communications and Information Management

● Baker College – Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management (Summa Cum Laude) Certifications

● Certified Human Resources Professional ( SPHR )

● Society for Human Resources Management Certified Senior Professional ( SHRM-CSP )

● Veterans at Work Certificate (SHRM)

● Certificate in Online Teaching (Bay Path)

● Certified DISC Instructor

● Massachusetts Notary Public

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