BERENICE LOZADA

North Miami Beach, FL ***** 787-***-**** ad1rsa@r.postjobfree.com

HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL

Professional Summary

Dynamic and Strategic Thinker Senior Bilingual (English/Spanish) Human Resources Leader with 15+ years of direct experience in diverse, large corporate organizations, driving innovative human resources strategies in the areas of Payroll –processing and auditing, Performance Management, Employee Relations, and Retention, Retail, Hospitality, Customer Service, Employee Investigations, Policy Administration and Implementation, Employment Law, Interviewing, Negotiation, Pre openings, Benefits audits, Record Keeping, Training and Development, Compensation Administration, Health, Safety and Security, Recruitment and Selection Administration. Strong advisor and business partner to all workforce levels, from hourly staff to supervisors, leaders, and direct reports—effective communicator who excels in negotiation and advice in challenging situations.

Areas of strength include:

Human Resources Leadership – Hospitality Management - Employee Relations – Talent Management –

Compliance – Program Management – Trend Analysis – Benefits Administration – Recruitment and

Retention – Recognition Programs – COBRA – Training & Development – Succession Planning – Worker’s

Compensation – OSHA-HIPAA – ADA – FMLA – EEOC – ERISA-401K Plan Management-Policy Creation – Workforce Planning –Payroll Processing and Audit- Onboarding & Orientation – Microsoft Office Proficient - HRIS –Workday - Paycom- ATLAS – PeopleSoft – Paychex - ADP

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Advenir Living, Aventura Florida

People Operations Manager August 2022 – Present

Create a positive and collaborative team environment throughout the Company that protects, promotes, and advances the Company’s core purpose, core values, and culture.

Establish a vision for your department, set clear performance targets and annual goals, and communicate these to all of Advenir. Report progress towards yearly goals to the CPO quarterly.

Provide timely and transparent communication to the CPO on all critical issues, progress on all initiatives, information affecting other departments, and all issues affecting the Company’s performance or reputation.

Collaborate with the executive team to create and execute new initiatives and programs to impact our Company favorably.

Work with Managers, Regional Directors, and Department Heads to maintain positive associate relations and address associate issues appropriately.

Help monitor the organization’s culture to support the Company's goals and promote associate engagement.

Proactively communicate to Associates, Managers, and Department Heads regarding the interpretation and implementation of policies and procedures in a timely and positive manner.

Ensure the processes related to all terminations, promotions, new hires, benefits, Payroll, and salary changes protect the Company and comply with all state and federal regulations.

Ensure the recordkeeping process for all personnel files complies with industry standards and state and federal regulations.

Provide counsel and support to managers on associate conduct and performance issues.

Monitor and advise managers in progressive discipline for their associates.

Review, guide, and make recommendations to managers for associate terminations.

Consult with Regional Directors and Community Managers to solve associate grievances as appropriate.

Conduct investigations when appropriate.

Recognize when legal advice is merited and work with legal counsel to resolve issues in the Company's best interest.

Ensure legal compliance by monitoring and implementing applicable human resources federal and state requirements.

Direct the preparation of information requested or required for compliance with laws. Approve all data submitted. Serve as the primary contact with the company employment law attorney and outside government agencies.

Provide ongoing training and support to Community Managers and HR Department personnel. Consistently offer positive and constructive feedback.

Optimize the performance of the HR Department to achieve company goals and objectives.

Ensure ongoing personal development for HR personnel.

Ensure timely submission of all Payroll, bonuses, and compensation.

Ensure that all required monthly reports are completed and appropriated on time.

Manage the annual Open Enrollment process and provide effective communication to ensure participation by associates.

Primary point of contact with brokers, insurance providers, third-party administrators, and associates for benefit plans.

Ensure compliance with ACA filing requirements.

Administer the 401(k) plan – submit biweekly payroll contributions and oversee the independent annual 401(k) audit.

Ensure compliance with multi-state unemployment regulations.

Ensure compliance with HIPPA, OSHA, and other Federal regulations.

Manage all recordkeeping and processing of Workers’ Compensation claims, Leave of Absence, FMLA, STD, LTD, and OSHA.

Provide information for the annual Workers Comp audit.

Oversee reconciliation of all monthly benefit invoices for accurate allocations and timely submission to accounting for payment. Audit the accuracy of benefit coverage.

Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures in maintaining medical files by federal laws.

Manage associate loans.

Wurzak Hotel Group, The Dalmar/Element Hotel

Complex Director of Talent and Culture August 2021 – August 2022, Ft. Lauderdale

Manage end-to-end recruitment lifecycle process work with current staff to practice the –Promote within company credo.

Collaborate with department managers and senior leadership to ensure the property achieves and maintains staffing levels by posting job openings, pre-screening, and interviewing candidates.

Enhance, develop, and maintain recruitment/employment-related documents.

Develop and implement property recruitment strategies

Lead all event-based activities, i.e., open houses, job fairs

Identify, utilize, and maintain professional relationships with external sources to generate applicant flow, including learning institutions, government, and community-based organization

Partner with the property management team to ensure effective recruiting and hiring decisions and practices tied to the strategic goals of the business unit and overall organization

Establish effective relationships with internal candidates

Ensure recruitment practices are compliant with applicable state and federal laws

Provide business-relevant and impactful reporting to the property team, including turnover analysis and cost per hire.

Manage the onboarding process.

Manage critical employee engagement programs, including performance management and recognition programs.

Consult with and partner with HQ and property leadership, develop and implement initiatives and programs to ensure a positive employee experience supporting the organization's talent strategy.

Partner with the leadership team to identify and implement regular enhancements to engagement programs as part of continuous improvement efforts

Facilitate related training and development programs as needed

Develop and implement an effective and consistent employee communication plan of action

Manage HRIS overview payroll

ESTEFAN ENTERPRISES, INC. August 2019 August 2021, Miami Beach, FL

Corporate Director of Human Resources

Changed all hiring, benefits selection/enrollment to one digital platform that allows all managers to see and manage their teams in one platform

●Responsible for overall Human Resources management of 6 companies, 350 employees, within the Estefan Enterprises Group.

●Supervise and audit Payroll for multiple companies

●Preclude and act on all lawsuits, agency complaints, and unemployment against the Company.

●Responsible for investigating every misconduct allegation and determining the outcome.

●Decide and execute employment terminations, from entry-level to Management, to prevent wrongful termination lawsuits.

●Negotiated, Implemented, and Administered Health Benefits and Worker's Compensation for all companies and all employees.

●Execute all EEOC investigations with the ability to demonstrate full legal compliance with company policies and anti-discrimination laws.

●Provide leadership and direction to Ownership and Estefan Enterprises President on designing and executing successful Human Resources architecture aligned with company goals, objectives, and strategies.

●Provide Safety training across the Company.

●Manage 401k plan

Interstate Hotels & Resorts Jun 2014 – June 2019, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Director of Human Resources

●I followed programs closely to assess effectiveness and make proactive changes to meet changing demands.

●I communicated with potential hires to clarify expected tasks, compensation, and policies.

●She maintained company compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, in addition to establishing organizational standards.

●Develop succession plans and promotion paths for all staff.

●Directed each phase of the hiring process, encompassing employment verification, employee relations investigations, criminal background checks, and onboarding with distribution of new-hire paperwork to appropriate department heads.

●Maintain current understanding of state and federal policies such as EEO and ADA.

●Collect and analyze information to monitor compliance outcomes and identify and address trends of non-compliant behavior.

●Oversaw all HR needs for 450-employee operation across 2 locations.

●Improve office efficiency by effectively managing internal communications and correspondence.

●Develop a disaster and recovery strategy to prepare the Company for hazardous weather conditions, nuclear accidents, and terrorist attacks.

●Maximize team knowledge and productivity by effectively training, monitoring, and directing employees in applying best practices and regulatory protocols.

●Complete human resource operational requirements by scheduling and assigning employees.

Human Resources Generalist January 2008 June 2014, Miami Marriott International,

●Communicate with potential hires to clarify expected tasks, compensation, and policies.

●Manage all aspects of leave administration, including employee notifications and vendor management, disability programs, and health benefits.

●Set, enforced and explained HR policies to team members to cultivate a compliant and satisfied workforce.

●Collaborate with review boards on the Management of discrimination complaints to facilitate risk mitigation.

●Prepared and submitted the organization's Affirmative Action Plan and EEO report.

●Developed and facilitated all new-hire orientations.

●Help change organizational culture to overcome resistance to change through open communication for addressing employee concerns, allowing for different opinions, and publicizing new strategies.

●Designed and implemented orientation programs for new employees, covering job responsibilities, policies, procedures, and policies.

●Coached managers through employee relations matters, including employee engagement, documentation, discipline, and performance improvement plans.

●Educated and advised employees on group health plans, voluntary benefits, and 401(k) retirement plans.

●Managed employee rewards programs.

●Developed company personnel policies, standard operating procedures, and employee handbooks.

●Conducted salary survey research for both exempt and non-exempt positions.

●Shadowed employees to determine the accurate description of duties and skills required for each position.

●Conducted confidential investigations of discrimination, harassment, and workplace violence.

Education

MBA: Marketing

Ana G. Mendez University Gurabo, Puerto Rico

Bachelor of Business Administration Human Resources Management

Ana G Mendez Gurabo, Puerto Rico

Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality,

University of Puerto Rico Carolina, Puerto Rico

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