Talent Acquisition Employee Relations

Jillian K Marques, SHRM-SCP

Billerica, MA 508-***-**** *******.*******@*****.*** https://www.linkedin.com/in/jilliankmarques/

Skills

Employee Relations

Training and Development

HRIS System Optimization

UKG Ready/UtiPro

Retention Strategies

Management Coaching

Benefit Programs

Payroll Administration

Talent Acquisition

Employee Engagement

Onboarding Programs

Mergers & Acquisitions

Experience

SAFETY PARTNERS LLC March 2020 – May 2025

SENIOR DIRECTOR, TALENT & HR March 2023 – May 2025

·Provided strategic guidance to the executive team on all employee-related matters, including talent acquisition, organizational development, employee relations, performance management, compensation strategy, compliance with employment laws, and workforce planning.

·Acted as a trusted advisor on initiatives impacting company culture, employee engagement, leadership development, and change management, ensuring alignment with business goals and fostering a high-performing, inclusive workplace.

·Spearheaded the development and launch of 'Safety Partners University,' a strategic professional development platform designed to formalize technical training and integrate comprehensive soft skills programming, aligning employee growth with organizational objectives.

·Developed a complete and comprehensive compensation strategy utilizing multiple resources including pay grades for each role allowing for transparency and visibility into compensation growth between roles and manager advisement on pay increases.

DIRECTOR, TALENT & HR March 2020 – March 2023

·Established the company’s first full-time HR function, serving as a strategic partner to leadership and frontline supervisors on employee engagement and workforce initiatives. Drove sustained collaboration across teams, resulting in an 80%+ employee retention rate (2023–present) and consistently achieving 85%+ participation in annual engagement surveys (2021–present).

·Directed the annual Talent Acquisition strategy, driving a 49% increase in workforce growth in 2022. Addressed the company’s most critical growth constraint by building and scaling a high-performing, three-person Talent Acquisition team aligned with organizational objectives.

·Selected, implemented, and continually enhanced the organization’s first HRIS system (UKG Ready), streamlining finance, operations, and HR processes while providing accessible, self-service features.

·Implemented and continuously refined a modern performance assessment program, enhancing promotion opportunities and employee tenure while transitioning processes to a paperless HRIS system.

MANAGER, HR HEALTHEDGE 2019 - 2020

·Continual partnership with director-level peers and above offering expertise on employee relations, performance management, career development, and related issues establishing HR as an ally across the organization.

·Supported talent acquisition and retention efforts initiating the creation of job families, development of numerous career paths, and implementation of compensation review practices increasing the competitiveness of the company's compensation philosophy.

·Oversight of the development and execution of career training programs company-wide including monthly Manager Training, year-long Leadership Training, and various Employee Engagement opportunities.

·Managed a full suite of benefit programs including the execution of open enrollment, vendor management, monitoring for improvement opportunities, development and execution of wellness events and other initiatives.

·Vetted and implemented an FMLA tracking system as a result of the increased need for improved record-keeping abilities and fluidity in the execution of short-term disability claims.

·Increased employee engagement by executing the development and inaugural launch of a peer recognition program utilizing input and support from the internal employee council.

·Executed and led team in providing concierge-type service to employees across the organization covering a wide range of issues and inquiries.

DIRECTOR, HR SALARY.COM 2018 - 2019

·Managed all talent acquisition efforts and processes, including administration related to immigration, workforce planning, and development of headcount budgets according to business needs on an annual basis.

·Executed all people aspects of M&A including benefits review/negotiation, staffing analysis, compensation, internal equity reviews, and ancillary offerings.

·Creation, development, and execution of various training programs to address skill gaps and develop further knowledge of current and incoming staff from a company, industry, and soft skills improvement perspective.

·Continually acted as a senior leader, providing subject matter expertise and counsel to individuals, company-wide, people, and process challenges or initiatives.

·Executed on the continual performance review cycle increasing efficiencies in manager feedback as well as review of quarterly bonus eligibility/payout practices based on individual contributions and company performance.

·Implemented programs and process improvements in a continual effort to improve employee engagement increasing

employee retention and upgrading the employee experience.

DIRECTOR, HR PATRIOT ENERGY GROUP 2017 –2018

·Acting as a champion for senior leaders continually offered support and counsel, providing input to greater strategic business goals from which HR would have a direct impact; and providing positive, clear communication to the larger population.

·Managed employee relations issues by providing counsel, policy interpretation, conflict resolution, performance management, and disciplinary actions when necessary.

·Development of content and execution of Management Training program both virtually and in-person; acted as facilitator.

·Worked with all levels within the organization to streamline processes and increase efficiency concerning total compensation, employee relations, recruitment, and retention efforts.

·Offered continual feedback and input on overall cultural health including the implementation of employee engagement, recognition, and appreciation initiatives.

·Managed recruiting efforts for both Patriot Energy Group and its affiliate, Mint Energy, including a variety of roles in the areas of Accounting, Sales, Risk Management, and executive-level hires.

MANAGER, HR ONFORCE, INC 2013 - 2017

·As the first HR representative to the Company, lead the full transition from a PEO to an independent model including selection, negotiation, and implementation of all health, dental, vision, 401K, disability, and ancillary benefits in addition to payroll services, reducing overall expenses at the employer and employee level.

·Following the acquisition, maintained role as HR leader to the subsidiary acting as a senior partner establishing visibility and communication lines between the two organizations.

·Implementation of two employee recognition programs highlighting staff on both a peer level as well as from a leadership level recognizing individuals who continually made outstanding contributions in support of the company mission and values.

·Full-cycle performance management including creation of materials, review of written products, manager coaching for execution, compensatory actions, and any performance improvement initiatives.

·Employee relations including conflict management, leadership training, career pathing, monitoring of ongoing employee satisfaction, and overall cultural health.

·Full cycle recruiting including sourcing, qualifying, interviewing, determining compensation, submitting offer letters, and completing the onboarding process.

·Development of job descriptions, compensation/commission plans, internal growth opportunities, and succession planning.

HR REPRESENTATIVE SCHAFER CORPORATION 2011 - 2013

·Developed and implemented a virtual onboarding program where there was none, minimizing administrative time spent onboarding and allowing for quicker placement into actual roles.

·Increased performance management opportunities by implementing a mid-year review process for all individuals employed by the Company for less than one (1) year; additionally provided review, approval, and execution of annual reviews through SilkRoad.

·Execution of recruiting efforts for eleven (11) separate divisions; maintaining and monitoring iCIMS applicant tracking system and facilitating communication among the Talent Acquisition team.

HR ADMINISTRATOR MICROCHEM CORP 2010 - 2011

·As the first full-time HR representative for the Company, researched, selected, and implemented an HRIS system utilized for records management including employment and payroll data, career tracks, PTO, and performance management.

·Negotiated the selection and implementation of many company benefit offerings including Flexible Spending Accounts, Long Term Care, and wellness initiatives increasing talent acquisition and retention efforts.

·Created and implemented company compensation programs including the evaluation and analysis of salary data, conducting surveys, and determining pay grades to establish competitiveness of position offerings.

HR COORDINATOR LIME BROKERAGE 2007 –2010

·As the first full-time HR representative to the Company, designed and implemented HR policies and procedures for a rapidly expanding start-up with no previous HR function including developing and implementing a new hire orientation program.

·Employee relations, including resolution of employee conflicts, wellness initiatives, escalation of significant issues to corporate counsel (sexual harassment, involuntary terminations) event planning for 50+ people (encompassing developing and maintaining a budget), vendor agreements, menu planning, and entertainment.

·Supported Management with recruiting needs including expanding and improving the process of talent acquisition and retention of software engineers, growing headcount from 18-54 (doubling size in 2008).

Education

BACHELORS SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY SHRM-Senior CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL

Major: Public Relations 2012-Present

Contact this candidate