ASIF ZULFIQAR

adkps6@r.postjobfree.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/azulfiqar/ 647-***-****, 908-***-****

SUMMARY

As a business professional, I have partnered with organizations in telecommunication, retail, engineering transportation and hospitality industries, operating across the globe. In my 15+ year HR career, which spans over 3 continents and 6 countries, I’ve helped organizations, ranging from small start-ups to Fortune 14, meet their current and future people challenges. My work ranges from Leadership Development to Succession Planning, OD & Change Facilitation to Performance Management and Employer Branding to Diversity & Inclusion Strategy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeV9C9gcF1c&t=22s. AREAS OF EXPERTISE

o Leadership Development o Organizational Development o Talent Management o Organizational Development o HR & Learning Strategy o Coaching & Mentorship o Succession Planning o CEO Succession & Onboarding o Employee Engagement o Employer Branding o Performance Management o New Hire Orientation & Onboarding o Diversity & Inclusion o Data Science o Competency Modeling CAREER HISTORY

Zakaft Consulting, Toronto, ON 2016 – Current

Principal Consultant

Primarily focus is on providing OD services, however, the work has spilled over to the other areas of business too.

Talent and Performance Management process development for a transportation organization – Toronto

Development of Inclusion & Diversity Strategy for a global technology firm – New Jersey

Organizational transformation of one of the leading hospitality groups – Islamabad

Off-shore operations center setup and talent development for a transportation company – Toronto

Employer branding and cultural change of a technology startup – New Jersey

Talent Management, Compensation & Learning alignment of a merger in healthcare industry – Ottawa. Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), Saskatoon, SK 2019 – 2020 Talent Development Leader

Led the People Development function of $11 billion retail Co-operative, managing a budget of over $3.5 million.

Developed and implemented INSPIRE – the CO-OP Leadership Experience by strategizing and streamlining organization’s Leadership Development activities under one umbrella

Enhanced career development programs, ADVANCE, by including Diversity & Inclusion and Social Responsibility frameworks

Strategized and implemented multi-year CEO Development Program for 171 CO-OPs across Western Canada

Developed and launched framework for Accelerated Development of succession candidates

Crafted and implemented CO-OP Mentorship Philosophy to develop internal mentors

Revised Education Assistance Program for better alignment with the changing business needs. Calgary Co-operative Association, Calgary, AB 2013 – 2016 Talent Management and Leadership Development Manager Led the Talent Management and Leadership Development functions of $1.2 billion community member-owned organization to design and implement talent management, career development and change management programs.

Implemented an integrated Talent Management Process to support Succession of 14 strategic positions by assessing 300+ managers (& preparing Careers Paths of 20%) to support 7 lines of business

Partnered with a Business School to develop Retail Leadership Development Program for future leaders

Spearheaded Change Management initiatives to support new product launches, new store openings, new software implementation, and store renovations

Reengineered Employee Engagement by redesigning engagement survey, engaging new survey vendor and conducting organization-wide engagement action plans and specific interventions

Performed action research through internal & external surveys and focus groups to support Employer Branding initiative, leading to a new Employer Value Proposition – “Heart at Work, Hard at Work.” Verizon Communications, Basking Ridge, NJ 2008 – 2013 Talent Development and Communications Manager

Led the talent development efforts of VDMS (Verizon Digital Media Services), a newly created start up organization within Verizon.

Strategized VDMS Learning Needs and developed customized learning roadmaps for the 17 functional areas and 52 job families to address short term and long term learning needs of the organization

Planned, designed and Project Managed Development & Delivery of product specific, function related and industry explicit learning modules for new hires & employees in different functions – PMO, IT, & Operations

Revamped new hire orientation to drive more targeted & impactful learning experience for new team members

Designed and developed case studies, simulation exercises, product specific “pitch” and product platform demo to create 4-day training workshop for VDMS Sales Team. Talent Management Specialist (Verizon)

Supported the enterprise in talent management and employer branding strategy development, governance and metrics – leading the organization to the 22nd spot on BusinessWeek’s “Best Places to Launch a Career” in 2009.

Strategically positioned Verizon Careers as one of the pioneers in the social media

Project managed induction and orientation of 528 enterprise wide interns. Developed assessment model to identify potential and used action research to make recommendations for the program enhancement

Developed an online onboarding system to enhance new hire experience and to ensure day one productivity

Introduced more interactive contents at the enterprise careers site for enhanced user experience, leading to over 100% increase in website traffic

Generated metrics and prepared periodic executive talent communications for the Board of Directors and Verizon Leadership Council to engage executives into the current talent management trends. Talent and Leadership Development Intern (Verizon) Acquired valuable knowledge of C-Suite Development through managing projects related to CEO Succession, Executive Education, and Talent Management in a dynamic environment.

Supported the design of “C-Suite Development Model” for top 25 executives focusing on 5 development areas, in line with organization’s need for CEO succession

Developed Executive Education Curriculum for the year 2008-2009 in liaise with corporate education providers; aligning Executive Development activities with organization’s 6 imperatives for the year

Analyzed current Talent Management Dashboard and made recommendations to better align Talent Management efforts with business strategy by adding strategic measures. Nokia, Helsinki, Finland 2007 – 2007

Organizational Development and Change Management Intern Gained a rich insight into the role and purpose of Organizational Development in a world class global organization including the connection between change management and engaging people around key business changes.

Supported the Nokia Way Jam Project (mass engagement process to support Nokia Strategy implementation) by developing value implementation exercises, taking part in, and organizing sense making sessions

Assisted the LtY (Listening to You) development, Nokia’s employee engagement survey which is focused to measure emotional and rational commitment of Nokia communities

Developed a change management portal in line with “transition curve” to support Nokia/Siemens Network. Descon Engineering Limited, Lahore, Pakistan 2003 – 2006 Learning and Development Manager

Designed and delivered soft skilled training programs to develop leaders and future project managers

Led the set up of corporate university, DPMI, to address organization’s Project Management needs

Initiated Talent Management process, Executive Vitality Dashboard, to identify and develop high potentials. EDUCATION

Master of Human Resource Management – Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ, USA 2006 – 2008 Certificate in Data Science – IBM Watson Online 2019 – 2019 OTHER INVOLVEMENTS

Career Coach and Advisor, CPHR, Saskatchewan 2019 – Present Volunteer Facilitator, Junior Achievement – “Economics for Success” facilitator (9th Grade students) 2014 – Present Ballroom Dancing (Arthur Murray Dance Studios – certified instructor, 6 major ballroom dances) 2015 – Present

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