Talent Acquisition Leader

Melina Garda, MBA

******.*****@*****.***; 917-***-****; New York, NY (open to relo)

www.linkedin.com/in/melinagarda

A modern and agile people leader with the ability to build, implement, and transform global HR and Talent Acquisition functions for companies and organizations in rapid growth phases. A strategic, systems thinker, with exceptional communication and data analytics skills who serves as a trusted Business Partner providing leadership for the development and alignment of enterprises. Deep experience in executive search, high-volume hiring, and building talent acquisition functions.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

● Built and expanded talent acquisition globally, creating a stand-alone recruiting function for the company. Leading a global team of 12 across 3 regions, oversaw ~500 hires in the US, APAC and EMEA regions.

● Developed multiple metrics and reporting tools to improve the department’s ability to set goals and track activity, as well as to support company-wide headcount and resource planning.

● Led significant change through organization by designing and piloting new interview structure and evaluation metrics, driving improved time to hire and increased candidate quality.

● Developed and implemented multiple programs to streamline internal communications, shorten hiring times, and improve candidate and hiring manager experience.

● Created and implemented end-to-end talent acquisition process, including recruiting guidelines and detailed processes, hiring manager expectations and processes, and application and interview processes.

● Reduced company reliance on external agencies, resulting in significant cost savings.

● Oversaw full selection and implementation of new ATS programs, as well as integration with internal software. EXPERIENCE

CB Insights, New York, NY (Remote) 3/2021 – Present Associate Director, Talent Acquisition

Assisted in leading the growth of the team to 14 during my tenure, creating a robust and diverse TA function driving extremely fast-paced expansion of the organization. Led a team of 3 direct reports supporting Go-to-Market functions including all BD, Customer Success, and sales-related roles, as well as Recruitment Marketing for the organization.

● Led significant change through organization by designing and piloting new interview structure and evaluation metrics, driving improved time to hire and increased candidate quality. Led internal training and implementation as new structure was adopted across the organization.

● Developed multiple metrics and reporting tools to improve the department’s ability to set goals and track activity, as well as to support company-wide headcount and resource planning.

● Worked closely with organization leadership on growth plans and ideal profile development.

● Created and led multiple departmental trainings ranging from tools (Greenhouse, TalentWall, ZoomInfo, CBI Platform) to processes (Hiring Manager interaction, Sourcing, Boolean Search), resulting in a stronger performing team.

● Provided regular 1:1 coaching for Coordinators and Recruiters on communications, client management, and internal operations.

● Oversaw ~250 hires with average time to hire of 23 days and average time to fill of 34 days.

● Personally filled 70 roles during my tenure, including sourcing, interviews, internal client management and offer negotiations.

HelloTech, Los Angeles, CA (Remote) 8/2020 – 2/2021 Talent Acquisition Operations Consultant

On a consulting basis, supported early-stage gig-work tech support platform based in Los Angeles to manage contract worker application, background check and vetting, onboarding and set-up through company’s rapid expansion into multiple national markets. Managed team of 2.

● Oversaw applicant tracking system overhaul to simplify back-end process and facilitate faster processing and onboarding of new I9 tech support contractors, while simultaneously ensuring internal compliance with appropriate national, state and local regulations.

● Led implementation and integration of new background check system, reducing cost and improving company’s liability exposure.

● Worked closely with marketplace and operations teams to support company expansion and internal organizational structure redesign.

Guidepoint Global, New York, NY 4/2019 – 1/2020

Global Head of Talent Acquisition

Built and expanded talent acquisition globally, creating a stand-alone recruiting function for the company. Leading a global team of 12 across 3 regions, oversaw ~500 hires in the US, APAC and EMEA regions, supporting the opening of several additional offices during this fast-growing period for the company.

● Drove systemic change to develop world-class recruiting competencies throughout the company including short and long-term recruitment planning, resource allocation and deployment, performance metrics reporting, and employment branding.

● Led recruiters in five global offices, developed recruiting programs which support the company globally yet allow for regional differences.

● Partnered with Corporate Global leadership on goals and metrics (reported directly to CEO)

● Partnered with all departments to advise on hiring goals, compensation, location, talent pool, time to fill, cost per hire and the appropriate mix of resources.

● High volume hiring during high growth phase.

● Revised and expanded Campus Recruiting function, restructured team, and changed approach to result in 130+ hires in one season and a much smoother cycle overall.

● Reduced global agency spend by 20%.

● Managed implementation of Greenhouse to improve and support data capture and candidate experience. Moody’s Analytics, New York, NY 12/2017 – 3/2019

Manager, Talent Acquisition – Reis

Brought in to build a talent acquisition function for Reis. Oversaw all talent acquisition (permanent, temporary, temp-to-perm) for two locations with an average of 120 hires annually.

● Developed and implemented multiple programs to streamline internal communications, shorten hiring times, and improve candidate and hiring manager experience.

● Created and implemented end-to-end talent acquisition process, including recruiting guidelines and detailed processes, hiring manager expectations and processes, and application and interview processes.

● Reduced company reliance on external agencies, saving more than $300k in fees Y1.

● Oversaw reconfiguration of ATS program (iCIMS) to ensure full data capture and usage.

● Direct oversight of all hiring across multiple disciplines, including exempt and non-exempt, leadership and individual contributor roles. Increased speed and quality of hires.

● Created and implemented KPIs for department performance.

● Managed vendor relationships with ATS provider, social media platforms, job boards, background check provider, college recruiting platforms, and external agencies.

● Launched University recruiting relationships and established a formal internship program in Year 1. TMP Worldwide, New York, NY 5/2016 – 11/2017

Director, Recruitment Marketing

Led the North American Recruiting team, oversaw talent acquisition for all roles at all levels across 14 locations, as well as overseeing and implementing all recruitment marketing efforts on behalf of TMP Worldwide.

● Developed and implemented multiple processes to streamline internal communications, shorten hiring times, and improve candidate and hiring manager experience.

● Managed a budget of $200k+.

● Oversaw full implementation of new ATS program (iCIMS), as well as integration with internal software.

● Direct oversight of all hiring manager relationships.

● Created and implemented KPIs and reporting for both recruiter performance and overall department performance.

● Oversaw social media platforms and campaigns. Led content creation and execution for corporate careers website.

● Managed external vendor relationships such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, specialty sites. Managed selection and negotiation with vendor agencies.

RRD Partners, New York, NY 1/2012 – 5/2016

Vice President (6/2015 – 5/2016)

As a member of the Leadership Team, focused on continual process development to support rapid growth in the RPO space. Oversaw business analysis and managed cross-functional teams throughout the organization. Responsible for internal data reporting and analysis, as well as external reporting for clients. Partnered with CEO and Managing Partner to develop proposals and launch programs with new RPO and Retained clients.

● Developed proposals and implementations for new clients.

● Led discovery discussions and conducted analysis of current state operations and created customized programs to manage corporate-wide talent acquisition for new clients.

● Worked closely with client leadership and account leadership to introduce and implement new programs.

● Worked in close partnership with Account Directors to develop operations processes, tools and resources for their clients and their account services teams.

● Full oversight of CRM application.

Senior Account Director (1/2012 – 6/2015)

● Successfully managed RPO account for global outsourcing company focusing on Director-level and above hires across the Americas.

● Hired 30+ Manager level and above employees over a 2.5 -year period.

● Decreased cancellation rate by ~10%.

● Led teams of up to 7, direct and remote.

AC Lion, New York, NY 9/2009 – 12/2011

Senior Director, Research (1/2011 – 12/2011)

Defined and established new internal department for the company, leading a staff of 3-6 researchers around internal process, database development, and lead generation.

● Full oversight of CRM tool, including extensive market research, UI/UX design and full project/product management of development and upgrades to support more efficient functionality

● Developed internal data reporting and analysis to all recruiters and company leadership

● Managed external vendor relationships, networking partnerships and direct marketing efforts.

● Created and led internship program.

Senior Executive Recruiter (9/2009 – 1/2011)

Responsible for identifying, prospecting, and bringing on new clients, as well as researching, establishing and nurturing candidate relationships to make successful placements.

● Heavy account management, direct sales and networking activities, combined with social media and marketing campaigns.

● Full oversight of recruiting projects from concept to completion. Heavy service agreement negotiation as well as extensive, complicated employment contract negotiations.

*Please see LinkedIn for prior career experience

EDUCATION

Pepperdine University

MBA, Organizational Development

● Graduate Assistant, Graziadio School of Business Career Resources Office Reed College

BA, History

TOOLS AND SKILLS

Greenhouse

iCIMS

Bullhorn

Workday

TalentWall

Asana

Confluence

Trello

Slack

LinkedIn Recruiter

TopFunnel

ZoomInfo

Microsoft Suite

Google Suite

Executive Search

Vendor Selection

Vendor/Agency Management

Contract Negotiation

Leadership

Strategic Workforce Planning

Budget Oversight

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