Valarie Gathers-Nicholas

917-***-**** ads2fb@r.postjobfree.com www.linkedin.com/in/valarie-g-b3b6597

Quality-driven and strategic People Operation Professional - capable of managing a full HR lifecycle, while engaging employees, influencing key stakeholders, resolving complex issues, and efficiently managing talent. Develops and implements policies, programs, and services that scale and enable current business needs and prepare the business for the future. Serves as a trusted advisor to impact the company’s goals and objectives and fosters a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Highly innovated with solutions that maximize the bottom line. Dedicated and ambitious leader who thrives on tough challenges and translates visions and strategies into actionable, value-added goals. Demonstrates excellence in problem-solving, leadership, integrity, and team collaboration.

Professional Accomplishments

Safe-Guard Products International Atlanta, GA

Manager of Benefits and HR Operations 2/2022 – Present

Support the Director of Benefits and HR Operations with benefits, leave administration and systems operations for over 700 US and Canada employees.

Provide guidance on employee benefits-related questions, research and resolve benefit issues.

Administer the Leave of Absence process for both US and Canada employees.

Facilitate benefit administration in ADP Workforce Now.

Monthly benefit reconciliation and audit for active and term employees.

Cox Automotive Atlanta, GA

Contractor/ Sr. HR Business Associate 11/2021 – 01/2022

Support Sr. HR Business Partners and over 3,000 employees for a large For-Profit company. Report directly to the AVP of HR Business Partners on audits, compensation analyst, exit interviews and other special projects.

Lead the offboarding exiting team members and collect exit feedbacks.

Completed the coordination I-9 physical inspection for out of state locations by 92%.

Comply data for the Annual Compensation cycle, Talent Planning review, Learning & Development nominations, and other compensation reviews.

Archdiocese of New York/ Global Regional School System New York, NY

Regional Human Resources Director (Relocated to GA) 03/2020 – 9/2021

Oversaw the operations of the Human Resources department for a large Non-Profit Organization with over 2,500 employees. Reported directly to the Director of Human Resources on strategic planning, HRIS implementation, employee relations and compliance.

Identified and implemented new strategic plans for requisition process for new hires, onboarding and transferring.

Provided coaching and feedback on how to improve individual and organizational performance to meet strategic and tactical goals.

Collaborated with finance and management to establish suitable internal controls.

Conducted periodic audit to capture costs for all employees’ premium cost for Total Rewards.

Led the HRIS/Payroll project system upgrade with data migration, accuracy, and compliance.

Essen Healthcare/ Prohealth Practice Management Bronx, NY

Human Resources Manager 06/2018 – 03/2020

Oversaw the operations of the Human Resources department for a mid-sized For-Profit Healthcare Company with about 1,100 employees. Reported directly to the VP of Human Resources on benefit administration, employee engagement, onboarding, separations, HRIS implementation, employee relations, VISA sponsorships and compliance.

Revamped the annual performance appraisal and performance improvement plan to retain employees.

Reduced repetitive job titles by 37% and design a compensation band for non-clinical positions.

Oversaw all employee performance issues, including counseling, disciplinary situations, and terminations.

Championed a consistently fair and harassment free work environment in compliance with all government regulations, including but not limited to ERISA, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, OSHA, Worker’s Compensation and other applicable labor laws and regulations.

Provided counseling and support as needed to employees and managers. Identified problems and provided solutions with the objective of enhancing performance and retaining/developing employees.

Girls Educational & Mentoring Services New York, NY

Human Resources & Operations Lead 07/2017 – 06/2018

Human Resources Contractor since 2019

Managed the Business and HR Operations for a small non-profit with 37 employees. Reported directly to the Executive Director/ Founder on benefit administration, employee engagement, HRIS implementation, employee relations and compliance.

Worked closely with Executive Leadership and legal counsel to update, compile, and implement new employee policies.

Provided guidance to Executive Leadership by identifying redundancy in positions, creating new roles and processes to help departments run smoother, keeping employees motivated by promoting key employees into appropriate roles, and eliminating unnecessary positions.

Oversaw the interpretation, communication, and application of established human resources policies throughout the Company.

Oversaw the annual budget for benefit renewals.

Interactive Therapy Group & Signature Learning Resources New York, NY

Human Resources Director (Company Closed) 02/2016 – 07/2017

Administered the HR processes for a privately-owned Multi-state Early Intervention company with 150 employees. Reported directly to the President and Chief Financial Officer on the financial operations of payroll/ benefits administration, HR policies accordance to FLSA regulations, performance management, compensation administration, recruitment, and employee engagement. Advised key stakeholders concerning HR matters as well as creating policies, promoting company’s culture and coaching personnel.

Re-structured the performance management model to be more aligned with the core positions.

Decreased the on-boarding turnaround time from 60 days to 30 days.

Developed different employee engagement models to help with retention.

Organized company-wide events: Holiday Party, Spring Luncheon, Birthday celebration and other engagement activities.

Captured about $5k in benefit cost reductions and increased 401k participation enrollment by 29%.

Harlem Children’s Zone & Promise Academy Charter School, New York, NY 01/2006 – 01/2016

Human Resources Manager 09/2012 – 01/2016

Perform HR Generalist function for a large non-profit organization with up to 3,000 employees in New York City.

Conducted benefit survey and analysis for over 3,000 eligible employees.

Facilitated performance management and recruitment workshops for Managers and Directors.

Managed exit and employee engagement surveys for all employees.

Decreased recruitment costs 10% by negotiating pricing and fees while ensuring no gaps in staffing.

Controlled the onboarding 75% of the new hires ready for employment at the beginning of the academic term within a 30- day window.

Lead Program Coordinator 11/2010 – 09/2012

Program Coordinator 01/2006 – 11/2010

Education

Mercy College – MS in Human Resources Management with distinction since 2013

Hunter College, CUNY – BA in English since 2004

Certificate of Attendance: TPSU Plan Fiduciary Training for C(k)PF Program since 2017

Certificate in Employee Benefits (HRCP) Expires January 2025

Professional Membership

Delta Mu Delta, International Business Honor Society since 2013

HR Girlfriends since 2020

Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) – Atlanta Chapter since 2021

Technical Skills

Cross platform: PCs and Macs, Paychex Flex, ADP workforce v. 12, Kronos, NetSuite, Time Clock Plus, Lawson, E-Verify, Benefits Connect, Benefit Plan Enrollment, CompAnalyst, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Docs, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, BlueJeans, Adobe Acrobat Professional.

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