Human Resources Talent Acquisition

Valarie G. Nicholas, SHRM-SCP

**********@*****.*** 678-***-**** Loganville, GA www.linkedin.com/in/valarie-g-nicholas Human Resources Professional with over 12 years of expertise in HR management, specializing in building and scaling departments, partnering with business leaders to improve employee engagement, reduce turnover, and enhance organizational effectiveness. Proven ability to translate business needs into actionable HR objectives. ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Tribal Nutrition LLC d/b/a Ka’Chava Remote

Director, Human Resources Jan 2023 - Feb 2025

Established and maintained the inaugural HR Department of one with a headcount of over 55 domestic and international staff, ensuring strategic alignment with business goals in the start-up food & beverage industry.

• Headed the company’s first comprehensive benefit program, achieving an 82% participation rate through a strategic blend of targeted communication, employee education, and technology tools tailored to meet individual needs.

• Implemented a structured interview process that minimizes hiring bias, which led to a 10% reduction in turnover costs.

• Managed the company’s first performance management initiative, aligning it with organizational needs by engaging stakeholders to identify key requirements and ensuring scalability and integration with multiple platforms.

• Spearheaded a multi-state payroll processing by conducting comparisons to identify discrepancies, establishing internal controls, and performing regular reconciliations between payroll data, financial statements, and HR records, resulting in a 2% error rate.

Cox Automotive Hybrid/Georgia

Contractor, HR Business Partner Nov 2021 - May 2023 Supported the AVP and Director in executing strategic HR initiatives, focusing on talent management, employee relations, and change management.

• Improved talent management strategies and performance evaluation methods through comprehensive HR data analysis, enhancing organizational effectiveness.

• Increased visa application accuracy, boosting global talent acquisition capabilities and ensuring compliance across international operations.

• Achieved a 92% completion rate of I-9 verifications, optimizing costs across multiple states through streamlined processes. Archdiocese of New York New York, NY

Regional Human Resources Director Mar 2020 - Sep 2021 Managed a team of 7 HR professionals overseeing HR functions for 59 schools, focusing on onboarding, offboarding, labor relations, compliance, benefits, and leave management within the religious sector.

• Implemented job requisition and onboarding process automation, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing time-to- hire.

• Conducted thorough audits of the Total Rewards program, achieving significant cost savings by mitigating potential fines and penalties.

• Developed and executed fraud prevention strategies, successfully recovering $100,000 by identifying and addressing fraudulent unemployment claims.

Essen Healthcare Bronx, NY

Human Resources Manager Jun 2018 - Mar 2020

As a leader, I oversaw a robust team of 8 HR and Payroll professionals, orchestrating key functions such as onboarding, offboarding, employee relations, compliance, change management, benefits, leave management, and payroll operations for over 1,000 employees in the Healthcare sector.

• By Enhancing the VISA sponsorship process for critical clinical roles, I significantly improved immigration compliance and support, thereby strengthening our substantial talent acquisition efforts.

• Implemented employee engagement strategies, including recognition initiatives, succession planning, and career development pathways, to retain essential talent.

• Developed a reconciliation system for employee insurance billing, resulting in annual savings of $20,000 by correcting vendor overcharges and improving financial accuracy.

Girls Educational & Mentoring Services New York, NY HR & Operations Lead Jul 2017 - Jun 2018

Directed human resources and operational functions for a team of over 25 employees in the non-profit sector in New York City.

• Collaborated with executive leadership and legal counsel to revamp employee policies, ensuring full compliance with state and federal regulations.

• Led efforts to redefine roles, clarify job responsibilities, and conduct performance assessments, notably enhancing employee motivation.

• Facilitated the implementation of a new HRIS system, achieving a 20% improvement in employee engagement, productivity, training, and retention.

Interactive Therapy Group & Signature Learning Resources New York, NY HR Director Feb 2016 - Jul 2017

Managed the HR function for over 140 employees across New York, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina. This involved overseeing payroll, benefit administration, coaching, employee engagement, and recruitment initiatives within the Healthcare and Education sector.

• Championed comprehensive HR functions, including talent acquisition, training and development, employee relations, and performance management. These initiatives were strategically aligned with the organizational objectives at Interactive Therapy Group & Signature Learning Resources, ensuring the staff's efforts were in sync with the company's vision. Harlem Children’s Zone & PA Charter School New York, NY HR Manager Sep 2012 - Jan 2016

Oversaw over the business unit of 500 employees within the charter school system, providing leadership support to executives within the Non-profit sector.

• Spearheaded comprehensive HR functions, including recruitment, training, and performance management, while ensuring compliance with educational regulations at Harlem Children’s Zone & PA Charter School staff development initiatives. EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION

SHRM- SCP Senior Certified Professional

Mercy University, Master of Science in Human Resources Management with distinction SKILLS

Cross-Platform: PCs and Macs • Paychex Flex • ADP • Workday • Kronos • NetSuite • E-Verify • Benefits Connect • Benefit Plan Enrollment • CompAnalyst • Slack • Microsoft Office Suite • Google Suite • Docu-Sign • Lucid Chart • Lattice • Mineral

• Microsoft Teams • Zoom • Adobe Acrobat Professional • Strategic Planning • Financial Acumen • Project Management • Data Analysis • Leadership • Problem Solving • Communication • Analytical Skills • HR Experience • Relationship Building • Coaching • Collaboration • International Experience • Talent Acquisition • Change Management • Organizational Development

• Performance Management • Employee Relations • Conflict Resolution • HR Compliance

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