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Dr. Heather Waitman

Senior Human Resources Executive

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Curriculum Vitae

Here's my background and work experience

Senior Human Resources Executive with over 15 years of experience driving human resources initiatives that result in successful business outcomes. An expert in managing human capital management including employee and labor relations, compensation, benefits, employee engagement, talent acquisition, policy implementation, DEI, and HRIS management. Supervised a human resources team of 20 professionals and advise senior leaders in decision making that minimizes legal exposure to the company. Cut unemployment costs by $100K annually, reduced worker’s compensation premiums by 200k, and maintained insurance costs below industry trend. A member of the executive leadership team.

Leadership Experience

September 2022 - Present

Altus Fire & Life Safety, Inc., New York

Head of Human Resources/Senior HR Director                                                          

  • Manage all aspects of human capital management for ten (10) companies located across the country.

  • Single handedly built an HR infrastructure that was in sync with business goals and achieved company growth.

  • Harmonized benefits plans and retirements plans across 10 companies that resulted in cost savings and increased employee satisfaction and retention.

  • A proven track record in employment and labor law, including ADA, FMLA, FLSA, HIPAA, and other local, state, and federal laws.

  • Involve in merger and acquisition processes to ensure a successful integration of cultures, including eliminating incompatibility issues, redundancies, and gaps. Contribute to profit margin.

  • Mentor/coach executive leadership, general managers, and supervisors and conduct complex investigations and interventions resulting in a high percentage of non-probable outcomes.

  • Comprehensive HR leadership with a unionized workforce directing the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements for three (3) unions.

  • Develop systems for hiring, training, and managing employees, implement policies and procedures to ensure efficiency and consistency in business practices, and deliver successful results and improvement.

March 2006 – June 2022

Saint Dominic’s Family Services, Blauvelt, New York

Senior Executive Vice President of Human Resources

  • Coached and counseled a management team of 50 managers geographically dispersed across NY State and provided guidance in high-priority and complex employee and labor relations issues.

  • Reduced unemployment claims over $100k annually and cut worker’s compensation costs by $200K.

  • Bargained and negotiated multiple union contracts and maintained insurance costs below 10 percent annually and within market trend.

  • Received the highest score in HR compliance from an accrediting organization and maintained quality service in human resources management.

  • Drove talent strategy and deliver solutions to ensure the TA team hired top talent to sustain a skilled workforce resulting in high retention, high employee performance standards and to achieve business growth.

  • Drove initiatives for diversity and inclusion programs and converted a company where employees are recognized and valued for their contributions and achievements.

August 1999 – March 2006

JCCA of New York, New York                     

Coordinator of Employee and Labor Relations

  • Developed strategies to improve organizational effectiveness and elevated talent management, succession planning, and DEI that resulted in low annual turnover rates.

  • Executed and managed an onboarding program that resulted in high retention, boosts productivity, and employee engagement/job satisfaction.

  • Managed the staffing and recruitment process and developed strategies to hire and retain top quality candidates.

  • Conducted investigations and worked with counsel to minimize risk exposure and litigation.

May 2015 – 2018

Dominican College, Blauvelt, New York

ADJUNCT PROFESSOR

  • Taught graduate students in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

  • Provided competency-based education that aligned with Dominican College’s model of curriculum.

  • Facilitated and supported graduate students’ learning in Human Resources Management and Organizational Behavior. 

September 2008 – 2013

Long Island University, Rockland Graduate Campus, Orangeburg, New York

ADJUNCT PROFESSOR

  • Taught graduate students in a Master of Public Administration (MPA) program.

  • Facilitated graduate students in their research and examination of the labor movement both in the private and public sector. 

  • Provided competency-based education that aligned with LIU’s model of curriculum.

  • Facilitated graduate students in current research in all areas of labor relations. 

  • Supported graduate student learning and success by familiarizing students about the labor movement.

EDUCATION

Capella University, Minneapolis, MN

Doctor of Philosophy in Organization & Management - Specialization in Human Resources Management

Manhattanville College, New York

Master of Science – Human Resources Management

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