Talent Acquisition Human Resources

John F.K. Walsh

Norwood, NJ 570-***-**** ********@*******.*** https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfkwalsh/

HUMAN RESOURCES & TALENT ACQUSITION EXECUTIVE

I am seeking a company and position where I can bring my diverse HR leadership experience to drive strategic growth, cultural transformation, and lasting business impact. I offer over 20 years of experience across public, private, and nonprofit sectors, working with organizations ranging from ADP to Learning Ally. I’ve led both in-house and consulting engagements across multiple industries. I bring a strong track record of aligning people strategy with business goals, leading M&A and high-growth scaling, navigating organizational redesigns and wind-downs, and developing effective talent acquisition strategies. My expertise also includes HR technology, DEI, compensation, and leadership development, all grounded in a hands-on, people-first approach that builds trust, improves performance, and strengthens organizational culture.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Strategic Workforce Planning & Succession

HR Operations & Process Optimization

Talent Acquisition & Executive Search

Leadership Development & Coaching

Change Management & Organizational Transformation

Compensation & Benefits Strategy (incl. Sales Incentives)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy

HRIS & ATS Implementation (ADP, Paylocity, Taleo, Greenhouse, Breezy) just to name a few

Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution

C-Suite Advisory & Business Partnering

Labor Law Compliance & Risk Mitigation

Performance Management & Calibration Systems

Experience overseeing HR, Talent Acquisition, Operations and Client Training departments

Full-cycle IT recruiting for Infrastructure and Systems Administration roles

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

JFKWalsh HR Consulting & Staffing – Norwood, NJ

HR Consultant, Employee Relations Specialist & Talent Acquisition Advisor to Small and Mid-Sized Businesses Tech, eLearning, HCM & EdTech

Feb 2018 – Present

Deliver strategic HR consulting to startups, scale-ups, and larger firms in tech, eLearning, and human capital, driving talent strategy, compliance, and scalable people operations.

Build and oversee Talent Acquisition functions that deliver efficient, consistent, and candidate-friendly processes

Lead executive search and recruitment aligned with culture and goals.

Develop performance management, coaching, and succession planning frameworks.

Drive organizational restructuring and change management for scalability.

Design HR policies, compliance protocols, and employee handbooks.

Advise C-suite on organizational development, risk, and workforce planning.

Implement DEI strategies to foster inclusive workplaces.

Manage talent programs from onboarding to retention.

Conduct compensation analysis, job leveling, and total rewards benchmarking.

Support HRIS, ATS, and performance system implementation and optimization.

Learning Ally – Princeton, NJ

National Talent Acquisition Director & HR Consultant (Contract)

Feb 2018 – Present

75 year old K–12 EdTech Nonprofit - 150+ Employees Nationwide

Developed and executed national HR and talent acquisition strategy aligned with mission-driven growth nationally.

Led full-cycle recruitment for Sales, IT, Marketing, Government Relations, Finance, and Operations, improving time-to-hire and talent quality.

Manage the end-to-end recruitment lifecycle, including process design, documentation, change management, and compliance.

Designed scalable frameworks for performance calibration, succession planning, and total rewards to ensure fairness and consistency.

Manage external recruiting vendors and RPO partnerships.

Achieved a two-year voluntary turnover rate of 0.02% through engagement, internal growth, and values-based hiring.

R&Q Insurance Holdings – Philadelphia, PA

Interim Lead of US Human Resources (Contract)

June 2024 – Oct 2024

34 year old public Casualty Insurance company founded in the UK – 164 Employees US

Directed HR strategy during the dissolution of an insurance firm, ensuring legal compliance and operational continuity.

Managed workforce separation, adhering to federal/state laws (WARN, COBRA), coordinating with legal and leadership.

Led transparent employee communications, severance, exit interviews, and outplacement support.

Developed detailed HR plans covering terminations, benefits, payroll close-out, and records retention.

Metro Team Resources Staffy Agency – Norwood, NJ

Sr. Director, Talent Acquisition (Contract)

Feb 2015 – Feb 2018

Consistently ranked top 2 nationally in revenue and client retention for three consecutive years.

Led full-desk, high-volume recruitment for HCM, SaaS, sales, and executive roles, consistently delivering top-tier talent in fast-paced, competitive environments.

Walsh Investment Group – Norwood, NJ

Founder & Business Developer Entrepreneur

Sept 2006 – Feb 2015

Founded Prohibition Distillery and launched Bootlegger 21 Vodka, awarded “Best US Craft Vodka” in 2014.

Secured $3M+ in Series A and B funding during the 2008-2010 recession; drove expansion into 15 U.S. states and 3 international markets.

Led product development, branding and national retail partnerships to drive market growth and brand recognition.

Co-developed Palisades Organic Market, a mission-driven retail concept focused on sustainability and community impact.

Automatic Data Processing (ADP)

Dec 1999 – Sept 2006

Sr. HR Director – Major Accounts US Sales Division (ADP Relocation & Promotion)

Dec 2003 – Sept 2006 Parsippany, NJ (1.5 billion in revenue)

Reported directly to the SVP of National HR, supporting strategic initiatives and executive level decision making.

Supported 1,200+ employees and 190 managers across national sales.

Directed HR shared services including performance, staffing, compensation, and employee relations.

Reduced selling expenses by $3.5M via headcount strategy and process redesign.

Launched succession planning and high-potential development programs.

Regional HR Director – Major Accounts – Carolinas Region (ADP Relocation & Promotion)

Dec 2001 – Dec 2003 Charlotte, NC (80 million in revenue)

Reported directly to the GM overseeing 5 offices across North and South Carolina, contributing to regional operations and performance.

Led both HR and Client Training departments, managing and mentoring 7 direct reports to drive performance and engagement.

HR Manager – Major Accounts – NY Metro (ADP Relocation & Promotion)

Dec 1999 – Dec 2001 Parsippany, NJ (175 million in revenue)

Supported Sales, Finance, and Implementation teams across three locations throughout NY & NJ.

Created and scaled a high-potential development program, expanding it from regional launch to companywide adoption.

EDUCATION

Harvard University - Extension School – Cambridge, M

Business Management

Fitchburg State University – Fitchburg, MA

Bachelor’s Studies in History, Army ROTC Program

TECHNICAL SKILLS

HRIS/ATS: ADP Workforce Now, Paylocity, Taleo, Greenhouse, Breezy, etc.

Recruiting Tools: LinkedIn Recruiter, Handshake, Indeed, CareerBuilder, etc.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

ADP:

oSelected for ADP’s High Potential Executive-in-Training Program

oADP: Promoted 5 times in 7 years & relocated twice

oADP: Earned top 360 review rating for team & client support

Learning Ally:

oMaintained: <0.02% turnover during two-year scale-up

Metro Team Resources Staffing Agency:

oTop Revenue Generator – 3 years

Prohibition Distillery - Bootlegger 21 Vodka:

oSan Fransico Spirits Award – Gold Medal (2013 & 2014)

oBest US Craft Vodka - International Gold Medal (2014)

oSan Fransico Spirits Award - Earned Best Packaging Design (2014)

oFeatured on CNBC’s Power Lunch

oNY Times Front Page – Locals Section

oRaised $3M+ in startup capital amid 2008 financial crisis

Client list and referrals available upon request

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