Senior Human Resources Leader

Edward Donahue

*********@*****.*** linkedin.com/in/edwarddonahue White Plains, NY Senior Human Resources Leader

Strategic HR leader with over 20 years of experience driving organizational excellence through employee relations, talent operations, and culture transformation. Expert in building inclusive, high-performing workplaces by partnering with leadership to implement equitable policies, resolve complex issues, and optimize talent systems. Proven success reducing turnover, enhancing compliance, and fostering mission-driven cultures in education, healthcare, and municipal sectors.

Core Competencies

• Employee Relations & Investigations

• Performance Management & Coaching

• HR Policy Development & Compliance

• Conflict Resolution & Mediation

• Talent Operations & HRIS Analytics

• Change Management & Culture Building

• Executive Leadership Advising

• Workforce Planning & Engagement

Professional Experience

Town of Greenburgh – White Plains, NY

Director of HR Policy & Compliance (Consultant) 2024 – Present

• Modernized 60+ HR policies, aligning with federal/state standards to ensure equitable talent practices.

• Led high-stakes investigations, resolving complex employee relations cases with zero litigation exposure.

• Provided strategic counsel to senior leadership on performance management and corrective actions.

• Delivered workforce analytics to governing board, driving data-informed talent decisions.

• Reduced overtime costs by 12% through strategic workforce planning, maintaining employee satisfaction.

New York Film Academy (NYFA) – NY / CA / FL

Human Resources Director 2023 – 2024

• Oversaw talent operations for 600+ employees across three states, ensuring multi-state compliance.

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• Resolved 5–7 complex investigations annually (e.g., discrimination, harassment), achieving 100% compliance.

• Improved staff retention by 18% through leadership coaching and performance management programs.

• Championed engagement initiatives, reducing complaints and boosting workplace satisfaction scores.

• Advised academic leadership on talent strategy, strengthening organizational culture. US Tech Solutions – Jersey City, NJ

Senior HR Consultant 2020 – 2023

• Guided Fortune 500 clients (e.g., Johnson & Johnson) on employee relations and performance protocols.

• Reduced disciplinary escalations by 20% through proactive coaching and mediation strategies.

• Restructured HR policies, achieving 15% reduction in voluntary turnover across client portfolios.

• Designed change management plans, preserving morale during organizational restructuring.

Duke University – Durham, NC

Assistant Director of Human Resources 2018 – 2019

• Led 7-member HR team supporting 1,200+ faculty/staff, advising deans on talent strategy.

• Enhanced internal promotion rates by 10% through professional development programs.

• Streamlined performance management and conflict resolution, ensuring consistent policy application.

RWJBarnabas Health – New Jersey

Human Resources Manager 2015 – 2018

• Directed HR operations across two hospital campuses, supporting union and non-union staff.

• Reduced repeat grievances by 22% through consistent investigation protocols and leadership training.

• Managed compliance for accommodation requests and leave administration in a regulated environment.

FedEx Ground – Keasbey, NJ

Human Resources Generalist II 2012 – 2015

• Supported 3,000+ employees with full-cycle HR, investigations, and compliance training.

• Reduced turnover by 9% through employee recognition and engagement initiatives. Earlier Roles 2005 – 2012

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• HR Generalist, First Solar (NJ/NY): Supported compliance and employee relations during growth.

• HR Generalist, Paradigm (NJ): Managed HR programs, benefits, and compliance training.

Education

Master of Labor & Employment Relations – Rutgers University Bachelor of Arts – Rutgers University

Certifications & Affiliations

• SHRM-SCP (In Progress)

• Member, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

• HR Policy & Employee Relations, SHRM Academy

Leadership Impact

• Strategic advisor to C-suite and senior leaders across education, healthcare, and municipal sectors.

• Mentor to managers and HR professionals, fostering effective people leadership practices.

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