Human Resources Business
Resume:
Richard Ward
Mentor, OH *****
*********@*******.***
www.linkedin.com/in/rich-ward-7aba0810/
HUMAN RESOURCES ● OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT ● PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Accomplished and results-driven Human Resources Business Leader with a demonstrated track record of successfully developing, delivering and advising executives on enterprise-wide, business critical best-in-class HR programs, projects, and employee health and welfare plans. Extensive experience and consummate achievements building multiple Partnerships and strategy with business leadership and HR team members to build and implement innovative, high quality, cost effective Human Resource programs and policies to align programs with the needs of the organization and current healthcare legislation. An expert resource for strategic business initiatives, analytics, and workplace best practices.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Collaborative / Innovative Leadership
Global Benefits Management / Consulting
Strategic Planning and Implementation
Benefits Procurement / Design / Implementation
Budget / P&L Management
RFP and Vendor Management
Affordable Care Act
Compensation
Program / Project Management
Executive Review Panel
Succession Planning
Employee Engagement
Training and Development
FMLA / HIPPA / Regulatory Compliance
Analytical / Detailed-oriented
Employee Communication / Relations
On Boarding/Open Enrollment Programs
Team Building
Total Rewards
Customer Service Excellence
HRIS
Union / Non-Union
MS Office
Kronos, WorkDay, People Soft, Ultipro
ADP, Gusto, Paycor
Short Term / Long Term Disability
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
R.W.Sidley LLC, Thompson, OH 2025-Present
PCI Certified prime manufacturer of architectural and structural precast concrete components.
Director of Human Resources
Collaborate with executives and senior leadership to align HR policies with the company's strategic goals
Hire and onboard new employees and negotiate employment agreements
Develop and implement HR policies for an entire organization
Ensure that a company remains in compliance with laws and regulations
Discipline and terminate employees
Conduct research, analyze organizational trends and execute best practices for hiring, talent management and retention
Plan and execute HR functions strategically, such as compensation and benefits, performance management, training and development, occupational safety, employee communications, employee experience and employee relations
Ensure all HR policies and procedures are current.
Process Open Enrollment for 2025.
Implement HR portal
Green Harvest Capital LLC, Solon, OH 2024-2025
Multifamily Living and Hospitality Management
Director of Human Resources
Hire and onboard new employees and negotiate employment agreements
Develop and implement HR policies for an entire organization
Ensure that a company remains in compliance with laws and regulations
Oversee HR managers to ensure efficient daily workflows and train the HR department
Discipline and terminate employees
Collaborate with executives and senior leadership to align HR policies with the company's strategic goals
Conduct research, analyze organizational trends and execute best practices for hiring, talent management and retention
Plan and execute HR functions strategically, such as compensation and benefits, performance management, training and development, occupational safety, employee communications, employee experience and employee relations
Develop and manage the budget for the human resources department
Establish the Human Resources Department
Reorganization of all vertices
MRI Software, Solon, OH 2023-2024
A leading provider of innovative real estate software.
HR Manager Benefits (Contractor)
Managed day to day benefit operations.
Open enrollment process.
New Hire Orientation Training.
Processing Benefit Invoices through Accounts Payable.
ACA 1094/1095c forms.
Managed Leave of Absence
Created benefit communication materials
Wellness Program
Liaison for 401k Retirement Program
State and Federal Compliance
AJ Gallagher, Cleveland, OH 2021 – 2023
We believe that providing insurance, risk management and HR & benefits consulting services means being there to see you through every challenge, every decision, every step of the way.
Client Associate Project Team
Working with Client Managers with Onboarding new clients into the Gallagher system. Ensuring complete and accurate information.
Lead clients through the initial onboarding then work with the clients, Account Executive and Client Manager to manage the yearly benefits processing.
Processing requests for proposals on behalf of our clients to find the best possible pricing and plan offerings.
Work clients through annual enrollment, post enrollment.
Special Reporting as necessary.
Create and maintain client’s employee facing web sites for all benefit offerings.
Saber Healthcare Group, Bedford Heights, OH 2019 – 2020
Our mission is to provide the highest quality healthcare to all that we serve and whether its short-term services, long term care, or assisted living, our specialized programs are designed to provide the best possible quality of life for our residents and their families.
Director of Benefits
Recommended benefits programs to senior management in an effort to maximize return and improve the overall benefit package.
Identifies benefit options by studying programs; obtaining advice from consultants.
Enhancing Wellness Programs.
Manage our 401k Program.
Revamped the Annual Enrollment / new acquisitions benefit enrollment process to encompass COVID-19 limitations.
Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; obtaining qualified opinions; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
Resolves employee questions and problems by interpreting benefit policies and procedures.
Expedites delivery of benefits by establishing and maintaining working relationships with benefit providers.
Set up and managed the COVID-19 response.
Reconciles benefits accounts by approving billing statements.
Maintains benefits staff job results by coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.
Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks
Informs employees of benefit changes and updates for annual enrollment.
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 2019
Operations Manager
Managed Call Center Agents (45).
Employee Relations, evaluations, training related to calls and metric expectations.
Metric reports for Senior level management.
Ensure proper staffing levels.
Work escalated cases from Agents.
On Call 3rd shift/weekends for critical issues.
Lowe’s Home Improvement, Willoughby, OH 2018 – 2019
American company that ranks 40th in Fortune 500 2018 list and operates a chain of retail, home improvement and appliance stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Human Resource Manager 2018-2019
Manage all aspects of Human Resources
Business Partner to Store Manager, Assistant Store Managers.
Employee Engagement lead for the EOS process.
Talent Management, Acquisition, Relations
Administration
Change Management / Strategic Workforce Planning
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 1998 - 2018
A $7B not-for-profit integrated multi-specialty, international, academic health system with nine hospitals, 18 family health centers, 3,600 staffed beds, 3,400+ physicians and 50,000+ employees and operations in Florida, Toronto, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Ranked as a “Top 5” Hospital by U.S. News & World Report.
Program Manager III 2016 - 2018
Manages welfare plans, flex spending, dental coverage, voluntary programs, and open enrollment.
Spearheaded the design and construction of a new Shared Service Center capital project of $500K
Served on the conversion team from Lawson to WorkDay as Benefits lead and for the Akron General System conversion to WorkDay.
Member of the implementation team for creation and processing Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage as well as the 1094 and 1095C forms.
Participated as a member of the Health Plan Advisory, Policy and Care Affordable Committees.
Total Rewards Manager 2014 – 2016
Total Rewards Analyst II 2010 - 2014
Managed day-to-day Tier I & II HR operations and the entire Shared Service Center. Supervised a team of 18-22 individuals.
Spearheaded the development and management of Health and Welfare budget in excess of $400M and established and maintained the Total Rewards budget of $6M.
Managed creation of Disability / FMLA Office
Developed Standard Operating Procedures Manual.
Lead training classes for Department Administrators and Front-Line Managers.
Developed telephone reporting system showing the types of calls and the ability to escalate issues to various subject matter experts. Used reports to improve the knowledge base for Support Center.
Maintain call / forms tracking database. Formal reports helped establish metrics to show efficiencies, benefit communications and Summary Plan Description development.
Benefits Administrator 2003 – 2010
Compensation Administrator 2002 - 2003
Excelled at strategic planning for Total Rewards goals. Directly involved in all aspects of the Open Enrollment process (37,000 benefit eligible employees).
Created first of many Call Centers related to benefit issues / open enrollment process
Facilitated benefit orientation for new hires. (200-250 per week)
Ensured proper information was distributed to employees based on work site and position.
Presented information / answer questions weekly to all new hires (200 - 250 per week).
Worked with six Directors on development of department budgets ($5M) ensuring budgets comply.
Develop presentation material for Board of Director’s approval.
Served as liaison between Total Rewards, HR and Third-Party Administrators.
Benefits Specialist 1998 -2000 Condensed to save space. Can discuss
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration (BSBA), 1987
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Conflict Resolution, 2003, 2016
Managing Employee Performance, 2002, 2015
Building Leadership Teams, 2003, 2015
Employee Engagement Development, 2013- Present
Mid-Year, Annual Performance Reviews, 2013-2016
Town Hall Training, 2016
AWARDS
Cleveland Clinic Leadership Award, 2016
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Annual Christmas gift and donations fund drive for foster children, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties providing gifts for more than 250 children, 2001 – Present
Memorial fund raiser to support the Lake Geauga Behavioral Health Program, 2016-Present
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