CONSTANCE DEMENT
Kirkwood
Summary
HR professional with solid expertise in labor relations, employee relations, and performance management. Known for fostering collaborative team environments and driving results. Versatile, adaptable, and reliable with strong skills in conflict resolution, strategic planning, and communication. Ready to make significant impact by aligning workforce capabilities with organizational goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Human Resources and Labor Relations Manager
SSM Health
08.2024 - Current
- Aid in the creation, planning, and execution of HR programs and policies to support strategic business objectives
- Provide employee assistance, advice, and guidance; oversee and deliver a variety of dispute resolution services, including mediation, conciliation, negotiation, and formal arbitration
- Ensure adherence to legal and regulatory standards
- Develop and implement HR initiatives and process improvements to enhance operational efficiency, reliability, and continuous improvement
- Offer individual and group support to HR staff and others on employee relations policies, practices, and procedures; address complex, high-profile operational challenges
- Interpret and advise on collective bargaining agreements to maintain administrative compliance across the organization
- Lead labor negotiators during collective bargaining processes; establish parameters, guidelines, and procedures on behalf of the organization
- Research, identify, and analyze current and emerging employee and labor relations issues, trends, and opportunities
- Conducted thorough workplace investigations, ensuring fair resolutions aligned with company policies and labor laws
- Evaluated HR metrics to identify trends, measure success, and make data-informed decisions about ongoing strategic priorities.
- Facilitated conflict resolution among team members, resulting in improved working relationships.
- Fostered strong relationships between employees and management through open-door policies and regular feedback sessions.
Manager of Human Resources
SSM Health
03.2023 - 08.2024
- Design and execute HR programs and policies to meet strategic business goals
- Programs encompass staffing, compensation, benefits, visa/green card processing, employee relations, training, and health and safety
- Resolve employee disputes and issues, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards
- Maintain comprehensive employee records and documentation
- Assess and streamline HR processes, driving operational excellence, high reliability, and continuous improvement through automation and optimization
- Manage recruitment, hiring, performance evaluation, and compensation determination
- Led confidential workplace investigations, ensuring compliance with labor laws and company policies
- Ensured legal compliance by staying current on employment legislation changes and updating internal policies accordingly.
Director of Human Resources
SIKESTON R-6 School District
04.2020 - 03.2023
- Recruited to bring structure and consistency to undeveloped HR function during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Provide directional leadership for the HR generalist function supporting an organization of ±525 employees serving 3,500 students in a diverse rural community
- Manage 10 direct reports including school nurses and 2-member support staff engaged in HRIS and absence management functions
- Plan and implement strategies and programs to enhance recruitment, engagement, morale, professional development and retention
- Verify professional staff qualifications; facilitate background verification and pre-employment drug testing
- Conduct formal exit surveys of certified professional staff to identify and mitigate troublesome trends
- Serve on a 6-member District Cabinet that makes policy and financial decisions
- Meet with the District Board monthly to address planning and policy issues
- Brought structure and substance to undeveloped HR function while working remotely during COVID-19 pandemic
- Drafted and implemented policies, procedures and employee handbook
- Hired 10 key leaders during an extended period of churn due to voluntary terminations and retirements including multiple School Principals and Assistant Principals, Athletic Director and Director of Finance
- Recruited and hired up to 35 certified teaching professionals and 100 administrative staff annually
- Strengthened policies and procedures by changing policy management vendor
- Enabled recruitment/selection, time and attendance management, and absence management with migration from standalone Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to fully integrated Frontline Education administration system, which also features an abbreviated method for qualifying substitute teachers
- Streamlined document retrieval and reduced space needed for records retention by converting paper documents into electronic files
- Facilitated accurate, timely EMFLA/FMLA reporting in partnership with MacDonald & Associates HR consultants
- Slashed payroll processing from 2-3 days to 5 hours and achieved significant cost savings by helping to build-out payroll time and reporting system
- Research and report compliance issues as required to assure full alignment with organizational standards and regulatory requirements
- Report suspected child welfare issues to Missouri Division of Children’s Services
- Identified and corrected inadvertent underpayment of 4 paraprofessionals
- Regularly investigate, document and address a range of issues and complaints regarding environmental, health & safety, performance, harassment and associated issues
- Discipline infractions as required
- Directed each phase of hiring process, encompassing employment verification, employee relations investigations, criminal background checks and onboarding.
Human Resources Administrator
ASSOCIATED ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC.
10.2017 - 04.2020
- Performed the full range of HR generalist functions for an organization of 200 employees operating coal-fired power generation facility
- Tracked and filled vacancies
- Posted job openings online; recruited qualified candidates for hourly and professional jobs
- Conducted new hire orientations
- Onboarded and trained new hires
- Processed weekly payroll
- Promoted and launched popular Lunch ’n Learn events that dramatically increased employees’ understanding of departmental functions, health and wellness opportunities, and insurance benefits while positively impacting morale and engagement
- Gained significant efficiency improvements by helping select new payroll system
- Develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with union representatives, fostering open communication and constructive dialogue
- Provide guidance and support to management on labor relations issues, including grievances and contract interpretation
- Implement and enforce company policies and procedures in compliance with labor laws, including FMLA, FLSA, and NLRB regulations
- Managed employee data and privacy to keep employee data confidential per organizational privacy policies.
- Managed payroll and timekeeping to track hours and accurately pay employees.
Human Resources Generalist
MISSOURI DELTA MEDICAL CENTER
08.2015 - 09.2017
- Performed a multifaceted HR generalist support role for a regional healthcare organization with ±850 employees
- Participated in the recruiting and hiring process for 100+ nurses and hourly staff annually
- Onboarded administrative personnel and physicians
- Gained productivity with migration from Lawson to ADP HRIS and Kronos timekeeping system
- Facilitated the onboarding process by creating various written materials, contact guides and forms
- Initiated 30-60-90-day evaluation forms for supervisors to track new-hire performance during the initial probationary period
- Promoted and helped coordinate annual health fair events held at multiple sites
- Maintained up-to-date records of employee information in HRIS system ensuring accurate reporting and data-driven decisionmaking.
- Provided guidance to managers and employees on talent management, payroll, FMLA and benefits.
Beauty Manager
JC PENNEY
11.2011 - 08.2015
- Managed ±15 team members and up to $2.4 million in annual sales volume while promoting the Sephora product line of personal care and beauty products at multiple Missouri department stores
- Drove sales, profitability and customer experience
- Managed staffing and scheduling; controlled inventory and payroll expenses
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing personalized beauty consultations and product recommendations.
- Developed and executed successful promotional events, driving increased sales and client loyalty.
- Implemented new services in response to industry trends, maintaining a competitive edge in the market.
- Achieved revenue growth by devising targeted marketing campaigns and cross-promotion strategies with complementary businesses.
Education
MA - Human Resources Management
Webster University
St. Louis, MO01.2018
Skills
- Team management
- Negotiation expertise
- Employee relations
- Grievance handling
- Collective bargaining
- Performance improvement strategies
- Influencing skills
- Coaching and mentoring
- Training development
Certification
SHRM-CP (SHRM Certified Professional), 05/01/22
Timeline
Human Resources and Labor Relations Manager
SSM Health
08.2024 - Current
Manager of Human Resources
SSM Health
03.2023 - 08.2024
Director of Human Resources
SIKESTON R-6 School District
04.2020 - 03.2023
Human Resources Administrator
ASSOCIATED ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC.
10.2017 - 04.2020
Human Resources Generalist
MISSOURI DELTA MEDICAL CENTER
08.2015 - 09.2017
Beauty Manager
JC PENNEY
11.2011 - 08.2015
MA - Human Resources Management
Webster University
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