Cassandra Griffin's resume

CASSANDRA F. GRIFFIN

**** ********* **** – Loft #3201 ● Chamblee, GA 30341 ● (C) 678-***-****

E-mail: *******@***.***

CORE COMPETENCIES

● Project Planning & Scheduling ● Budget Planning & Administration

● Team Building, Mentoring & Leadership ● Problem Solving & Change Management

● Client Relations & Negotiations ● Recruiting, Staffing, Training & Development

● Performance Management ● Workflow Planning & Prioritization

● Conflict Resolution ● Strategic Alliances & Partnerships

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

SIERRA CLUB - GEORGIA CHAPTER (nonprofit environmental organization)

Fundraising Volunteer (1/2009 – Present)

Work with other volunteers and staff to raise funds for programs and organizations for environmental issues in Georgia. Work on projects involving sponsorships, direct mail appeal, host committees and event planning.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

CAJUN OPERATING COMPANY D/B/A CHURCH’S CHICKEN, Atlanta, GA

Department Manager / Legal Specialist (2/2006 – 10/2008)

Managed operational functions of the Office of General Counsel (e.g. Human Resources, finance, facilities) with a focus on domestic and international operations. Strong internal and external customer relationship building with company executives, franchisees and vendors.

• Directed and supervised staff with workflow management.

• Managed and participated in complex and diversified planning activities involving the financial impact of the Office of General Counsel. Made assumptions as to future impacts and project future outcome on department finances and organization structure.

• Assisted with department budget, authorized purchases and justified variances. Maintained documentation of all financial transactions.

• Met regularly with Executive Team and General Counsel for purposes of strategic planning, sharing information and best practices to maintain a cohesive operation as they pertain to budgets, audits, resource allocation, facilities, purchasing, operational strategy, personnel, and legal issues.

• Ensured high-quality customer service at all levels within the company.

• Implemented new policies and procedures for Corporate Compliance for Cajun Operating Company.

● Fostered improved communication, collaboration, and capacity building within the company's international network of vendors in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, India, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

● Compared and negotiated vendor and firm rates and identified opportunities to use cost effective strategies.

• Maintained and coordinated effective communication between management and staff.

• Established comprehensive performance expectations for employees. Challenged staff to develop talents and achieve career objectives.

• Developed and implemented strategies for the recruitment, retention and placement of staff. Provided orientation and trained for all new hires to the Office of General Counsel.

• Developed performance plans that were consistent with job description and qualifications.

• Managed and resolved employee relations issues, (i.e., coaching and mentoring, team building and conflict resolution).

• Partnered with Human Resources Department on all matters related to employee benefits and compliance with Federal and State employment regulations.

MORGAN & FINNEGAN, LLP, New York, NY (4/1998 – 4/2005)

Support Staff Manager (5/2001 – 4/2005)

Legal Secretary (4/1998 – 5/2001)

● Managed and trained twenty (20) permanent employees and temporary employees.

● Worked with staff to prepare and file domestic and foreign patent applications and related documents; monitored international patent law to ensure that all filings conform to current laws and procedures; reviewed patent docket daily and reminded assignments of due dates; assisted with corporate due diligence related to product development and evaluation.

● Worked with new client intake, firm wide conflicts and records department.

● Managed workload distribution among the IP Support Staff that utilized employee’s capabilities and skills, including annuity/maintenance fee specialists, docketing and foreign filing.

● Developed organizational and business goals, including business management of strategic goals.

● Provided ongoing data to substantiate the need for effective problem solving strategies.

● Reviewed policies and procedures in conjunction with the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) for rule changes worldwide to ensure timely update of internal electronic systems and databases.

● Established and maintained excellent working relationships with clients, vendors and employees.

● Led focus groups to resolve internal conflicts and improve workflow.

• Partnered with Human Resources to provide orientation and training for all new hires.

• Conducted performance counseling and appraisals for staff.

● Facilitated monthly meetings to ensure adequate communication between management and employees.

● Created follow-up communication system that provided necessary information to all levels of the organization.

LAW OFFICE OF BERNARD F. GOLDFLUSS, ESQ., New York, NY

Office Manager (1983-1997)

● Managed and trained ten (10) employees.

● Managed $1.5M department budget.

● Responsible for direct management of equipment and all other company assets.

● Oversaw the scheduling, maintenance and monitoring of all heating, ventilating, air conditioning, water, electric and other systems to ensure efficient operations for office.

● Developed policies and procedures that improved benefit services to employees.

● Researched software options that improved the efficiency of the client billing statements.

● Partnered with Human Resources Department as follows:

● Recruitment and selection of staff.

● Prepared claims, reports and records for the employee benefits program.

● Directed business operations through recruitment and selection of administrative staff.

● Improved the hiring process for potential attorneys and support staff by developing an internal system that reduced turnaround time.

● Coordinated the new employee orientation program.

● Compiled and recorded statistical information for reports on various benefits packages and communicated the information to management and staff.

● Managed confidential and sensitive employer/employee relations issues.

- Terminations and exit interviews.

- Coaching and counseling of employees.

- Performance improvement.

EDUCATION

M.S., Manhattanville College, Leadership & Strategic Management, Purchase, New York – 2005

B.S., Marymount College of Fordham University, Business Management, Tarrytown, New York – 2001

SKILLS

Microsoft for Windows 2007; Microsoft Office Suite; PowerPoint; Excel; iManage; Outlook; CPi; DeltaView

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Building and Managing Employee Relations – Cornell University Professional Development

Public Speaking and Professional Presentation Skills – Delatorro L. McNeal, II, M.S.

Successful Growth Strategies for Business – SEAK Success, LLC

Effective Public Relations – Ginny Donahue

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