Denise Alston
Knightdale,NC
Summary
A seasoned HR leader, adept in talent management and workforce planning, I spearheaded initiatives at Signature Healthcare that boosted employee retention by over 20%. My strategic approach, blending leadership coaching with robust recruitment strategies, has consistently enhanced organizational development and employee engagement across multiple sectors. Dynamic and results-oriented Human Resources Business Partner with several years of experience driving organizational success through strategic HR initiatives. Proven expertise in aligning HR strategies with business objectives to optimize talent acquisition, employee development, and retention. Adept at fostering positive workplace culture and enhancing employee engagement through effective communication and collaboration. Strong leadership skills combined with a deep understanding of employment laws and regulations. Dedicated to delivering innovative HR solutions that support company growth and enhance employee satisfaction.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Human Resources Business Partner
Signature Healthcare
05.2022 - 03.2023
- Company Overview: Signature Healthcare provides skilled nursing services rehabilitiation services, assisted living, Dialysis, dementia, memory loss care, cognitive care, telemedicine and other health driven services to customers
- Responsibilities included partnering with local and corporate partners to align business objectives with employee and management to deliver value added service with business literacy and measurable results
- Developed regional recruiting Plan
- Developed regional management and employee training program
- Conducted monthly meetings with business units
- Analyzed trends and metrics in partnership with business units to develop solutions, programs and policies
- Manage and resolve complex employee relations issues and conduct effective and thorough investigations
- Provides day to day performance management guidance to line management (coaching, counseling career development, corrective actions)
- Work closely with management and employees to improve work relationships, build morale and increase productivity and retention
- Provide HR policy guidance and interpretation
- Provide guidance and input on business restructures, workforce planning, succession planning
- Identify training needs for the business units
- Conduct salary analysis and make salary recommendations
- Signature Healthcare provides skilled nursing services rehabilitiation services, assisted living, Dialysis, dementia, memory loss care, cognitive care, telemedicine and other health driven services to customers
Senior Director, Human Resources
Aramark at Duke Health
Durham, North Carolina
02.2021 - 06.2022
- Company Overview: Aramark services millions of guests every day through food, facilities, and uniform services in 19 countries around the world
- The company is rooted in service and united in purpose
- As Sr
- Human Resources Manager I am responsible for Human Resources operation at two locations and I utilize a solid business acumen to assertively partner with the management team and the vendor who is Duke University Hospital and the Duke employees who work side by side in the same job categories as the Aramark employees
- Primary focus centers on Staffing, ER/LR
- Policies/procedures, compliance, and general management while prioritizing duties and ensuring that fairness, connectivity, legal compliance, training and development, staffing, benefits administration, salary administration, safety and health programs, employee relations, teambuilding, performance management, recognition programs and environment of gratitude and meaningful experiences are available
- Building positive employee relations efforts through various employee recognition programs and rounding initiatives
- Review of compensation initiative for hourly employees and management staff that leads to a competitive advantage
- Communicates benefits via benefits forums and online communications as well as open door commitments to employees
- Developed a Succession Program in an environment with limited opportunities for growth
- Proposed and help develop a locations newsletter for all employees that features need to know information as well features articles that inspire and focus on positive employee relations
- Developed a 'Stay Program' as an intervention to retain good employees and reduce turnover by 5% - 15%
- Developed a 12 month Management/Employee Training and Development Program
- Coordinate policies and procedures between Aramark and Duke Health with different benefits and policies
- Reestablished the exit interview program to measure and evaluate why employees are leaving and make positive change
- Developed 90 Perfect Attendance award Program and associated initiatives
- Conduct investigations and employee relations initiatives - average 25 investigations per week
- Aramark services millions of guests every day through food, facilities, and uniform services in 19 countries around the world
- The company is rooted in service and united in purpose
Regional Director Human Resources/HR Business Partner
Brookdale Senior Living
Brentwood, Tennessee
06.2015 - 02.2022
- Company Overview: Largest operator of senior living in the United States with specialization in home health, rehab, Independent living, memory care, assisted living, skilled nursing, hospice and over 600 communities in the United States
- Responsible for designs, plans and implementation of human resources programs and policies, including staffing, compensation and benefits, employee relations, training, health and safety programs, workers compensation, legal compliance and other programs for the region
- Ensured that existing programs and initiatives were in compliance with government regulations
- Assisted locations in the day to day performance of their jobs
- Ensured that project and corporate milestones/goals were met and adhered to approved budgets
- Provided services to over 4,000 associates in various states
- Partnered with key executives across the business to drive employee engagement, morale and performance in an environment experiencing both significant external and internal organizational change
- Served as strategic advisor on all location/department restructuring, workforce planning and business realignments
- Established and implemented short-term and long-term corporate human capital plans which include maintaining or improving employee relations, talent acquisition and development, succession planning, workforce planning
- Created a recruiting strategy to reduce a 100% turnover margin and less than 40% retention year over year
- The reduced turnover changed to less than 20% and retention rate to 25% within the region
- Designed an employee engagement strategy that improved morale, retained talent, and business continuity through multiple changes within the leadership team
- Prepared reports for management in relation to employee turnover, new hires, resignations, training and development, productivity, legal issues/investigations, corrective actions, etc
- Provided coaching and counseling support to regional team, location management and employees on HR policies and procedures in line with best practices and continuous improvement that drive effectiveness
- Investigated and resolved 273 integrity line calls for over 49 locations within the first year of employment and reduced integrity line complaints by 70%
- Developed a monthly regional newsletter
- Established monthly roundtables and feedback meetings
- Led the implementation of Talent Management and Development Programs and initiatives in assigned regions
- Provided salary analysis and wage recommendations based on competitive wage data for assigned locations
- Spearheaded the annual employee performance appraisal process
- Created and implemented safety protocols that successfully reduced workplace incidents by 25%
- Created a culture of fairness and mutual respect while upholding company standards of integrated customer centered management
- Fostered employee and organizational development encouraging strengths and identifying potential areas of growth
- Developed and taught extensive training programs for management/employees on diversity inclusion, leadership, change management, sexual harassment and legal compliance
- Largest operator of senior living in the United States with specialization in home health, rehab, Independent living, memory care, assisted living, skilled nursing, hospice and over 600 communities in the United States
Regional Human Resources Director
AvanteGroup
Knightdale, North Carolina
05.2010 - 02.2015
- Company Overview: Regional long term health and Assisted Living company with facilities in Florida, North Carolina and Virginia
- Responsible for designs, plans and implementation of human resources programs and policies, including staffing, compensation and benefits, employee relations, training, health and safety programs, workers compensation, legal compliance and other programs for the region
- Ensured that existing programs and initiatives were in compliance with government regulations
- Assisted locations in the day to day performance of their jobs
- Ensured that project and corporate milestones/goals were met and adhered to approved budgets
- Provided services to over 4,000 associates in various states
- Partnered with key executives across the business to drive employee engagement, morale and performance in an environment experiencing both significant external and internal organizational change
- Served as strategic advisor on all location/department restructuring, workforce planning and business realignments
- Established and implemented short-term and long-term corporate human capital plans which include maintaining or improving employee relations, talent acquisition and development, succession planning, workforce planning, compensation and benefits, and performance management
- Created a recruiting strategy to reduce a 100% turnover margin and less than 40% retention year over year
- The reduced turnover changed to less than 20% and retention rate to 25% within the region
- Designed an employee engagement strategy that improved morale, retained talent, and business continuity through multiple changes within the leadership team
- Prepared reports for management in relation to employee turnover, new hires, resignations, training and development, productivity, legal issues/investigations, corrective actions, etc
- Provided coaching and counseling support to regional team, location management and employees on HR policies and procedures in line with best practices and continuous improvement that drive effectiveness
- Investigated and resolved 273 integrity line calls for over 49 locations within the first year of employment and reduced integrity line complaints by 70%
- Developed a monthly regional newsletter
- Established monthly roundtables and feedback meetings
- Led the implementation of Talent Management and Development Programs and initiatives in assigned regions
- Provided salary analysis and wage recommendations based on competitive wage data for assigned locations
- Spearheaded the annual employee performance appraisal process
- Created and implemented safety protocols that successfully reduced workplace incidents by 25%
- Created a culture of fairness and mutual respect while upholding company standards of integrated customer centered management
- Fostered employee and organizational development encouraging strengths and identifying potential areas of growth
- Developed and taught extensive training programs for management/employees on diversity inclusion, leadership, change management, sexual harassment and legal compliance
- Regional long term health and Assisted Living company with facilities in Florida, North Carolina and Virginia
District Director Human Resources
Kindred Healthcare
Raleigh, North Carolina
01.2007 - 04.2010
- Company Overview: National Healthcare Company which operates approximately 265 nursing centers, over 80 hospitals, KPS Pharmacy Services and Peoplefirst Rehabilitation which is a contract rehabilitation services business
- Responsible for managing the human resources needs of 12 nursing home facilities throughout eastern and Western North Carolina comprising 1,600 employees
- Managed human resources services, policies, and programs
- Responsibilities included recruiting and staffing, organizational and space planning, performance management and improvement systems, organizational development; employment and compliance to regulatory laws, employee orientation, development, training, policy development and implementation, documentation, employee relations, district wide committee establishment; compensation and benefits administration, employee safety, welfare and wellness programs, charitable giving programs and employee services and counseling, etc
- (Reduction in Workforce)
- Heavy focus on conflict resolution in a fast paced environment and high volume employee relations issues and investigations on multiple complex issues
- Responsible for the oversight and management of field employee issues, internal investigations and problem resolution in order to ensure a professional productive and legally compliant workplace environment
- Function as Team Member Champion for all field employment and corporate initiatives
- Nurtured strategic partnerships with leadership teams
- Responsible for developing, interpreting and enforcing policies and practices while coaching leadership and other team members in line with company guidelines
- Successfully represented the company in third party arbitrations
- Reduced use of Temporary Labor to 0%
- Developed and implemented Mentoring Program
- Developed Management Training Programs for Dist
- Reduced district turnover from an average of 65% to less than 5%
- Successfully recruited International Nurses to fill hard to fill nursing slots
- Provided cultural training and ESL Courses
- Designed Community Relations and College Recruiting Programs for the District
- Reduced Worker's Compensation Claims by 50%
- Reduced overtime by $282,000
- Responsible for responding to all hotline calls within the district
- Experienced 98% success rate not requiring corporate intervention or outside arbitration
- Established and facilitated retention and employee committees throughout the district
- Managed and administered a broad range of responsibilities including resolving complaints, counseling managers and employees on the interpretation and administration of policies and procedures
- Recommend personnel actions such as ensuring staff orientation, training, discipline, termination
- Maintain in depth knowledge of federal, state and local legal requirements and employment legislation related to day-to-day HR functions
- Culture Change Leader/Trainer
- 98% win rate for unemployment hearings and mediations
- National Healthcare Company which operates approximately 265 nursing centers, over 80 hospitals, KPS Pharmacy Services and Peoplefirst Rehabilitation which is a contract rehabilitation services business
Human Resources Director/Recruiting
Helping Hands of America
Raleigh, North Carolina
02.2006 - 01.2007
- Company Overview: Home Health Care organization specializing in providing affordable non-medical in-home care
- Responsibilities consisted of starting up a human resources function (from nothing) and exercising discretion in the oversight of the function and a single contributor
- Recruited employees, assisted in the daily operation of the organization which included administration of office processes and procedures, policy administration, compensation and rewards programs, orientation, benefits administration, assessment programs, employee recognition programs, unemployed processing, EEO/AAP, governmental compliance, assessments, disciplinary program, formulation of handbook and compensation program, performance appraisal program, workers compensation program, sales and marketing for the company, etc
- (Reduction in Workforce)
- Home Health Care organization specializing in providing affordable non-medical in-home care
Regional Human Resources Manager
Pepsi Bottling Ventures
Garner, North Carolina
01.2005 - 02.2006
- Company Overview: Major bottling (manufacturing) warehouse and distribution company specializing in the soft drink and beverage industry
- Responsible for managing human resources for the eastern division consisting of seven locations and over 650 employees
- Responsible for managing employee relations, compensation, worker's compensation, legal compliance, orientation, recruitment, LOA programs, unemployment claims, policy development and implementation, performance management, and implementing strategic initiatives
- Established retention process that reduced turnover by 50% and created a cost-effective sourcing process
- Successfully helped the organization win a union organizing campaign
- Developed program for over the road drivers to receive certifications and ongoing driver safety initiatives
- Reduced Worker's Compensation claims by 50%
- Developed recruiting licensing programs for warehouse staff
- Major bottling (manufacturing) warehouse and distribution company specializing in the soft drink and beverage industry
Education
M.A. - Counseling
North Carolina Central University
B.A. - Social Science
North Carolina Central University
Skills
- Leadership coaching
- Talent management
- Benefits administration
- Employee engagement
- Recruitment strategies
- Workforce planning
- Employee relations
- Labor law compliance
- Internal communications
- Organizational development
- Managing employee relations
- Optimizing performance
- Succession planning
- Retention strategies
- Reviewing compliance
- Conducting employee surveys
- Optimizing benefit plans
- Recommending policy improvements
- Improving compensation plans
- Strategic planning
- HRIS management
- Work culture enhancement
- Policy implementation
Affiliations
- SHRM
- Raleigh Wake Human Resources Association
- ECPI Business Advisory Board
- Triangle SHRM
- NAAAHR
- Job Corps Industry Council
Certification
- Certified DDI Instructor and Targeted Selection Trainer
- Certified DISC Profile Analyst and Administrator
Cellular phone
919-210-4873
Summary of professional qualifications
- I possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
- I have proven ability to diffuse highly charged situations.
- I am a results oriented professional.
- I provide leadership and vision in executing performance management and compensation programs.
- I maintain positive employee relations through consistent and fair application of company policies/procedures.
- I am an Intuitive high energy team leader.
- I have demonstrated the ability to work effectively with all levels of employees.
- I have demonstrated success as a strategic business partner.
- I possess multi industry experience in pharmaceuticals, CRO's, healthcare and manufacturing.
Timeline
Regional Human Resources Business Partner
Signature Healthcare
05.2022 - 03.2023
Senior Director, Human Resources
Aramark at Duke Health
02.2021 - 06.2022
Regional Director Human Resources/HR Business Partner
Brookdale Senior Living
06.2015 - 02.2022
Regional Human Resources Director
AvanteGroup
05.2010 - 02.2015
District Director Human Resources
Kindred Healthcare
01.2007 - 04.2010
Human Resources Director/Recruiting
Helping Hands of America
02.2006 - 01.2007
Regional Human Resources Manager
Pepsi Bottling Ventures
01.2005 - 02.2006
M.A. - Counseling
North Carolina Central University
B.A. - Social Science
North Carolina Central University
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