Sarah Stephenson
Founder
Experience
Apr 2024 - Present
1 year 4 monthsFounder
Humane Resources
- I work alongside business owners to co-design HR strategies that remove obstacles and accelerate business prosperity.
- Target audience: Small businesses who are established and in a growth or maturity stage of their business lifecycle and are looking to improve the quality of their HR processes & programs to align with their business goals.
- My mission is to empower individuals and companies to engage together in the workforce in more respectful, fulfilling, and humane ways.
Jun 2021 - Jan 2024
2 years 8 months Portland, United States
VP of Human Resources
Eleven Software
Apr 2017 - Jun 2021
4 years 3 months Portland, United States
Director of Human Resources
Eleven Software
- Responsible for Human Resources programs and compliance needs with a focus on employee engagement and performance management. Implement programs to measure engagement and performance, and evaluate data yielded from those measurements to direct future projects, programs, and cultural initiatives.
- Lead the roll-out of a new Human Resources Information System (HRIS).
- Implemented a highly-successful organization-wide, peer-to-peer rewards & recognition program.
- Created the organization’s first employee engagement survey which we’ve used to drive positive impact throughout the organization.
- Implemented a new performance management system to drive excellence through performance.
- Created an employee referral program to increase candidate flow for recruitment.
- Facilitated several employee focus groups to solicit raw feedback about proposed programs.
Jul 2014 - Apr 2017
2 years 10 months Tualatin, United States
Human Resources Manager
VersaLogic Corporation
- Responsible for managing the Human Resources & Administrative Professionals teams. Plan, direct, and coordinate all HR functions throughout the organization. Manage full-cycle recruitment, performance systems, compensation programs, benefits administration, training programs, and payroll.
- Worked in partnership with a specialized firm to develop an affirmative action plan and maintain annual compliance to OFFCP regulations.
- Developed and managed the roll-out of an in-house flu clinic.
- Identified and put in place a system for continued measurement of key HR performance metrics.
- Created an employee satisfaction survey to gather data to metricize and direct HR programs and initiatives.
- Managed the coordination of a corporate training program.
- A reduction of 10% in employee turnover during my tenure.
Dec 2010 - Jul 2014
3 years 8 months Tualatin, United States
On-siteHR Generalist
Xenium HR
- Responsible for providing on-site HR Generalist support and implementing project deliverables such as development of company policy, job descriptions, salary surveys, and performance management system; coordinating HR audits, training, and other HR programs, and managing day-to-day HR operations.
- Built a relationship of integrity and trust with management and executive team, allowing the ability to successfully provide coaching and guidance in accord with business objectives and unique cultural drivers.
- Supported a mission to guide VersaLogic into a rewarding culture of high performance through evaluating the vision and values of the company and developing a full-cycle performance management system to support those values and organizational goals.
- Managed multiple sensitive employee investigations, provided summary of findings to the Chief Operating Officer, and advised course of corrective action where necessary.
- Managed the implementation of a new compensation system to align with the organizations compensation philosophy and long-term strategic goals and initiatives.
- Researched and implemented company’s first Applicant Tracking System, a tool that helped decrease recruitment costs by creating efficiencies in the recruitment process.
- Recruited and onboarded over 40 employees into the organization, introducing innovative, high-performing staff that complement the company’s culture.
Jan 2009 - Dec 2010
2 yearsHuman Resources Generalist
K12
- Oversaw Human Resources Generalist function with over 700 employees spanning the nation. Helped guide management and oversaw employee relations and HR operations and programs. Managed and partnered with other lines of business to create, design, and implement effective recruitment process for all employees of KC Distance Learning.
- Directly supervised a productive Human Resources administrative support staff, ensuring a rapid and efficient onboarding process for all new employees.
- Focused on nation-wide, high volume recruiting of teachers, curriculum writers, enrollment staff, as well as various corporate positions; interfacing with staffing vendors when necessary, presenting highly qualified employees into the K12 workforce.
- Helped develop and implement HR Policies and Procedures manual covering issues including: onboarding, disciplinary procedures, employee relations, terminations.
- Managed an employee file audit by creating and executing a project plan, tracking and reporting progress during various stages of the project, and ensuring the resources were stored properly on a shared drive throughout the audit and collection process. This audit resulted in a complete overhaul of storage and document process, making sure accurate records were kept from completion of file audit and moving forward.
- Worked with corporate counsel to ensure legal compliance during multiple employee RIF’s.
- Managed and maintained licensure requirements for multi-state teachers, reducing legal impact and ensuring NCLB and HQ compliance are met.
Jan 2007 - Dec 2009
2 yearsAdministrative Specialist
Tektronix
- Performed diverse administrative tasks at an advanced level in a broad range of organizational and operational areas.
- Managed calendars, which included; arranging travel, meetings, web ex sessions, and conference calls.
- Submitted purchase requests, expense reports and personnel change notices as needed.
- Composed, formatted, finalized, distributed, researched, processed and maintained data in various forms using a variety of office equipment and software applications, including spreadsheets and databases.
Summary
I love humans. Humans are unique, complex, and fascinating beings in this world. Humans hold duality in being completely unpredictable and also entirely predictive in their nature and that’s part of what’s so fascinating to me about people. For humans, socialization and connection is a key need and yet when we enter the workforce, the beauty of humans as beings and not “doers'' is often forgotten. Overlooking this important fact can mean that key decision-makers at a company lead with terrible decisions, not in the best interest of those who hold the key to making the business great - HUMANS! When being a participant in a workforce that doesn’t make human-centered business decisions, people start to feel unvalued and exhausted. They then take those feelings with them while spending their free time with their family, friends, and in much needed solitude. Taking these negative feelings from within the workforce into our communities and our precious solitude has a negative effect on individuals, the communities they’re a part of, and the world we live in… We can. Do. Better. It gives me immense inspiration and excitement to make individuals feel valued, being able to provide evidence to them that their needs will continue to be met in the workplace. My motivation stems from creating an environment where employees feel secure, acknowledged, and genuinely thrilled to come to work and collaborate. If you share in this excitement, let’s talk. Let’s partner. And let’s make a difference together.
Languages
English
Native
Spanish
Advanced
Education
Oct 2004 - Jun 2006
Portland State University
BS · Psychology · Portland, United States
Oct 2002 - Jun 2004
Portland Community College
AAS · General Studies · Portland, United States
Certifications & licenses
PHR
SHRM-CP
Similar Freelancers
Discover other experts with similar qualifications and experience