KAREN MEHEGAN, SPHR ad38o2@r.postjobfree.com

508-***-**** (land)

508-***-**** (mobile)

www.linkedin.com/in/karen-mehegan-b5a976

Summary

Accomplished HR professional with over 20 years’ experience spanning diverse industries such as biotech, engineering, manufacturing, technology, professional services, finance and wealth management, hospitality, and non-profits. Proven ability to align human capital with business objectives, fostering organizational success. Recognized for comprehensive HR expertise, labor laws, and establishing impactful partnerships.Proficient in leadership, effective management and leveraging strong interpersonal and written communication skills to build consensus and synergy.

Skills/Attributes

• Adept Interpersonal Style

• Adaptability and Flexibility

• Strategic Processing, Planning & Tactical Follow-through

• Talent Acquisition, DEI, Retention and Engagement

• Leadership and Management

• Conflict Resolution/Mediation

• Employee Relations

• Onboarding/Offboarding

• Compensation Benchmarking & Analysis

• Analytics & Data Analysis

• Labor/Employment Law

• Arranged All Mandatory Trainings Policy Development & Administration

• Benefit Analysis, Selection & Implement

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PP)

• HRIS/HCM/ATS Systems including:

ADP, Peoplesoft, Epicor, Workday, Ultipro, Bamboo, Gusto.

• Recruiting Platforms (LinkedIn, Indeed..)

• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

• Payroll: ADP, Peoplesoft, Paylocity, Paychex, Ripple, others …

• Advice/Practiced Counsel for matters of people management, labor laws, mediation, training and couching, etc.

Experience

Independent HR Consultant January 2019 to Current

Provide expert HR consultation to companies across a range of industries including businesses with multi-site, multistate, and overseas operations.

Ensure rigorous compliance with state and federal laws, covering employment regulations (labor laws), ERISA benefits, 5500 and HIRD filings, affirmative action, and employee notifications (401k, COBRA, PFML), etc.

Benchmarking of all levels of compensation, incentives and benefits to align budgets, ensure marketplace competitiveness, employee satisfaction, and retention.

Considerable experience with non-exempt/hourly workforces in various industries and settings.

Offer strategic and tactical HR services and solutions encompassing employee relations and mediation, terminations, performance reviews, improvement plans, investigations, reorganizations, mergers, reductions in force (RIF), and layoffs.

Conduct full life cycle recruiting, developing procedures, and employing best practices, with a focus on DEI, retention strategies, compelling compensation packages and employee engagement.

General Fluidics January 2021 to Current

Confidante and sounding board to CEO and COO/CFO, providing strategic advice on HR matters, thereby contributing to high-level decision-making. Follow-thru on all tactical needs.

Established an HR presence in this venture-funded R&D phase start-up, executing on critical functions: creating an HR framework; recruiting; engaging benefit broker; identifying payroll and benefit platforms and, other ancillary services.

Introduced HR best practices into the organizational framework, offering recommendations for holidays, vacations/PTO and assuring meticulous electronic file set-up and maintenance of the HRIS platform.

Installed and administered GUSTO (start-up HRIS and payroll) and Hello Flock (benefit enrollment platform), to automate and streamline HR operations.

Drafted comprehensive Employee Manual. Collaborated with employment attorneys to ensure legal compliance and senior management to assure overall consensus.

Conducted full life-cycle recruiting, staffing critical positions. Wrote job descriptions, posted positions, interviewed and provided compensation benchmarking to ensure competitive salaries.

Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA.org) June 2021 to June 2023

Dynamic, DoD and MIT-funded hi-tech, R&D, manufacturing company consisting of 100-person workforce with a mission to revitalize fabric mills in Massachusetts/Northeast.

Spearheaded end-to-end/full-cycle talent acquisition consisting of exempt and non-exempt (manufacturing) employees.

Established and maintained a robust network of industry contacts, leveraging both personal connections and subscription-based platforms to strategically source and generate a high-quality applicant pool.

Conducted comprehensive preliminary and qualifying interviews, showcasing strong interpersonal skills to assess candidate suitability before presenting to hiring managers, contributing to a streamlined recruitment process.

Provided weekly analytics and recruiting metrics to management.

TransCode Therapeutics August 2020 to October 2021

IPO Prep Work and “talent attraction”

• Conducted comprehensive compensation research and benchmarking for the executive team, ensuring alignment with industry standards and enhancing talent acquisition and retention strategies.

• Spearheaded talent sourcing and hiring efforts, successfully identifying, and hiring, high-caliber candidates to meet preliminary organizational needs.

• Led the onboarding process for new hires, overseeing I-9 verification, e-Verify, and benefit enrollments to facilitate a seamless integration into the company with employee engagement as a desired outcome.

RW Sullivan Engineering

Acting HR Manager July 2019 to September 2021

• Spearheaded Open Enrollment as sole HR practitioner for this 100-person engineering company, effectively collaborating with brokers to enhance employee benefits, manage costs and streamline the enrollment process.

• Ramped up recruiting efforts for engineers (electrical, mechanical, commissioning, fire & plumbing), demonstrating proactive talent acquisition skills to meet specialized staffing needs.

• Managed COVID-related lay-off, showcasing strategic decision-making and adaptability during challenging times, ensuring the company's response was both empathetic and business-focused.

Sherlock Biosciences January 2020 to May 2020

Human Resources Consultant

• Established and implemented a comprehensive benefit platform, enhancing employee satisfaction and ensuring the company's competitiveness in attracting top talent. Constantly reviewed and benchmarked market compensation trends to ensure competitiveness.

• Developed and executed effective onboarding processes, fostering a positive organizational culture and ensuring a smooth integration for new team members with a goal of retention and engagement.

• Implemented performance management systems to enhance employee productivity and align individual goals with overall organizational objectives.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mass Bay April 2019 to July 2019

Temporary HR Manager

Filled critical HR role for this highly-respected non-profit during search for a head of HR and CFO; demonstrated adaptability and resourcefulness.

Spearheaded recruitment efforts with a focus on attracting top talent, generating compelling job offers, managing salary expectations and conducting comprehensive background checks.

Work-force comprised of exempt (management) and a large hourly staff complement.

Orchestrated seamless onboarding processes to integrate new hires efficiently into the organizational culture.

Available 24/7 for any HR needs for staffers and management alike.

Arsenal Medical and Lyra Therapeutics June 2018 to April 2019

Human Resources Consultant. DoD and investor-funded start-ups.

• Established and maintained a vigorous recruiting process, resulting in the acquisition of top-tier talent to support company growth and objectives. Hiring involved management-level and hourly technicians.

• Implemented effective employee relations strategies, fostering a positive work environment, and addressing issues proactively to enhance overall workplace satisfaction for employer and employees.

Introduced benefits that met the needs of exempt and non-exempt workforce.

• Conducted thorough compensation research and benchmarking activities to ensure the company's competitiveness in the market, contributing to informed decision-making in terms of compensation and benefits structures going forward as well as budget considerations.

Cambridge Biomedical Inc. January 2014 to January 2019

Director of Human Resources/Employee status

Collaborated closely with the CEO/owner on confidential matters, demonstrating a high level of trust and strategic involvement in key decision-making processes.

Implemented effective sourcing and recruitment strategies for diverse positions across the company, including executive roles, utilizing creativity and adaptability in the recruitment process.

Successfully identified and selected executive search firms, notably choosing Sloan Partners to find a VP of Operations, showcasing discernment in executive-level hiring.

Managed relationships with recruiting agencies, negotiating bill rates, conducting benchmarking research for market competitiveness, and overseeing the end-to-end recruitment process.

Acted as the key point of contact with benefit brokers, contributing significantly to benefit renewal processes by working with the CFO to devise affordable plans for employees and the company. Led annual Open Enrollment.

Guided and trained managers on hiring laws and regulations, interviewing skills, and performance matters, ensuring objectivity, and presenting employee evaluations.

Spearheaded annual performance evaluation and merit increase program. Worked closely with managers to ensure compliance to the program and objectivity when evaluating.

Eighty percent of the labor force consisted of lab technicians and warehouse workers requiring cognizance of and sensitivity to applicable labor laws.

IVG Hospitals, Inc. (veterinary emergency)/Employee status January 2008 to January 2013

Director of Human Resources (4 locations: Woburn, N. Andover, Natick, MA & Portsmouth, NH)

Played a pivotal role on the Executive Committee, contributing to high-level decision-making and corporate strategy formulation with emphasis on the employee perspective.

Member of the acquisition/merger team interacting with a number of nationwide veterinary hospitals including California and Colorado-based employee populations.

Led HR operations and budget for this 4-hospital network, managing diverse roles across a 24/7 operation, demonstrating adeptness in handling complex organizational structures.

Personnel breakdown consisted of 75% hourly shift-workers and 25% management/staff. Managed overtime budget.

Strategically aligned HR initiatives with corporate goals, fostering a people-centric culture that supported the organization's overall growth objectives.

Orchestrated recruitment efforts for diverse positions, implementing innovative sourcing strategies to attract and retain top talent.

Commissioned a compensation survey to ensure competitive salaries with objective to be a leader in hiring veterinary professionals in all resident states.

Established a highly effective onboarding program, enhancing productivity and ensuring sustained employee engagement.

BROWN & BROWN, LLP/UHY ADVISORS, N.E., LLC. (Employee status) January 2006 to January 2008

DIRECTOR, HR, RECRUITING & RETENTION, Boston, MA

• Successfully transitioned from HR Director (at Brown & Brown) to a pivotal role in recruitment and retention after UHY acquisition, showcasing adaptability and strategic leadership.

• Spearheaded and executed comprehensive life-cycle sourcing and recruitment strategies for diverse professional positions, demonstrating a keen understanding of talent acquisition and the CPA business.

• Managed relationships with recruiting agencies, skillfully negotiating bill rates, optimizing resources, and ensuring cost-effective and high-quality talent acquisition.

• Designed and implemented a robust onboarding program, contributing to a seamless integration process for new hires and fostering a positive employee experience.

• Directed employee development programs and review processes, showcasing a commitment to continuous improvement and professional growth within the organization.

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, HR Services Group, January 2002 to January 2005

Senior Human Resources Consultant within the law firm (Employee status)

• Led strategic and tactical HR initiatives for diverse clients of this major Boston law firm.

• As a Senior Consultant, served as acting VP for a venture-funded financial services client, overseeing recruitment, compliance, and several downsizings, among other HR responsibilities .

• Worked on mediation tactics during a Teamsters Union strike, ensuring business continuity through temporary worker recruitment. Kept lines of communication open between union and hourly workers.

• Managed I-9, social security/payroll verification, and resolved irregularities for several major Boston hotels, public parking venues and an eleven-site fast-food franchise.

• Developed and executed recruiting strategies for a major coffee franchise company in Boston.

Considerable work with/knowledge of non-exempt employees status of many or the firm’s clients cited above.

Enterasys Networks, Inc. January 2001 to January 2002

MANAGER, HR CONSULTING for Engineering Worldwide (Employee status) Rochester, NH

• Led strategic HR initiatives aligning with corporate objectives, fostering a high-performance culture and driving employee engagement.

• Oversaw comprehensive reviews, annual merit increase processes, and professional development programs, designed for improved employee performance and organizational growth.

• Provided expert coaching to department heads on a wide range of subjects, ensuring adherence to policies and creating a strong organizational structure while promoting a positive corporate culture.

• Successfully implemented change management methods, facilitating the seamless integration of two facilities, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing cost.

• Demonstrated resilience and adaptability during a challenging period, managing the organization's response to a regulatory shutdown by the SEC for financial reporting concerns.

Berkeley Enterprise Partners, Inc. January 2000 to January 2001

Vice President of Human Resources (Employee status)

• Pioneered the introduction of HR practices at a startup, implementing policies and best practices to streamline operations and enhance organizational structure.

• Instituted a comprehensive employee orientation and onboarding program, ensuring seamless integration of new hires and promoting a positive initial experience.

• Developed and implemented a rewarding benefits program that significantly contributed to heightened recruitment efforts, enhanced employee morale, and reduced attrition rates.

• Created and managed a holistic employee development program focusing on career planning and continuous learning, fostering professional growth, skill enhancement and increased employee satisfaction.

Education

BA, Liberal Arts - Wheaton College, Norton, MA

Northeastern University/HR Management Certification Boston, MA

Human Resources Management Certification - Bentley College, Waltham, MA

Notary Public (recently re-appointed in 2022) - Commonwealth of MA

Professional Affiliations

• Northeast Human Resources Association

• Society for Human Resources Management

• Boston Human Resources Association

• Association for Management of Org. Design

• American Compensation Association

• Senior Human Resources Network (SHRN)

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