Open to opportunities

Denise Grant

@denisegrant

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Transformational HR executive using people analytics to drive growth, culture, and scalable talent systems.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking to partner with executive teams to build scalable people systems—using people analytics, workforce planning, and total rewards—to drive engagement, retention, and growth during change, M&A, and expansion across multi-site or international operations.

I’m a transformational, data-driven HR executive with 16+ years of experience leading global human capital strategy across private equity–backed, startup, and high-growth organizations. I align people strategy with business goals to drive growth, operational excellence, and cultural transformation.

Across my roles, I’ve built scalable HR infrastructure in complex, distributed field workforce environments, with deep expertise in M&A, workforce planning, total rewards, labor relations, HR technology, and people analytics. In an interim People Officer contract, I pioneered AI for workforce planning and talent acquisition, reducing manual HR workload by over 30% and strengthening predictive workforce analytics.

As Global Vice President of Human Resources at Trescal, I reduced voluntary turnover by 28% and accelerated time-to-hire by 25% through data-driven engagement, accountability, and talent strategies. I led M&A activities and integration scaling headcount by 40% while maintaining 90% retention of key talent, and I designed the company’s first enterprise-wide Total Rewards framework to improve pay equity.

I’ve also partnered with unions and leadership to deliver measurable results, including collective bargaining execution, employee relations strategy, and executive coaching for leadership bench strength. I leverage HR dashboards and technology transformations (Workday/UltiPro/ADP/UKG and analytics tools like Power BI) to connect people metrics to EBITDA, engagement, and long-range workforce forecasts.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Interim People Officer

National Cleaners

Jan 2025 - Nov 2025 (10 months)

Partnered with executive leadership to build equitable compensation frameworks, succession strategies, and workforce planning across 32 locations, integrating scalable people programs globally. Pioneered AI workforce planning to cut manual HR workload by 30% and used people analytics dashboards to improve engagement, retention, and time-to-productivity.

Workforce Planning Total Rewards People Analytics AI & Analytics Talent Acquisition HR Governance Dashboards Stakeholder Management Employee Engagement Compliance

Global VP of Human Resources

Trescal

Dec 2020 - Aug 2024 (3 years 8 months)

Partnered with senior executives to strengthen leadership capability and alignment during scale and M&A, reducing voluntary turnover by 28% and accelerating time-to-hire by 25%. Led M&A integrations scaling headcount by 40% while maintaining 90% retention of key talent, implemented the first enterprise-wide Total Rewards framework, and supported PE due diligence and value creation driving 15% EBIT

M&A Integration Total Rewards Succession Planning People Analytics HR Technology Labor Relations HR Governance Talent Acquisition Strategy Executive Coaching Workforce Planning

Director of Human Resources

Alimak Group

Sep 2017 - Dec 2020 (3 years 3 months)

Led HR strategy and execution for an enterprise industrial workforce, partnering with union and leadership to negotiate collective bargaining agreements and resolve grievances. Reduced external recruiting costs by 42%, consolidated HRIS platforms to generate $40,000 in annual savings, and lowered voluntary attrition by 15–25% through data-driven engagement and manager effectiveness initiatives.

Labor Relations (CBA)Total Rewards Talent Acquisition Workforce Planning Employee Engagement Performance Management Training Development Benefits Administration Cost Optimization

Senior Human Resources Manager

Borden Dairy

Feb 2012 - Jul 2017 (5 years 5 months)

Served as HR business partner for multi-site industrial manufacturing operations, directing end-to-end CBA negotiations in a unionized environment and supporting workforce stability. Conducted workforce planning for peak/off-peak demand, built performance management frameworks, and delivered organization-wide training while partnering with HSE to reinforce safety culture.

Collective Bargaining Workforce Planning Employee Relations Performance Management Training Development Benefits Administration Talent Acquisition HR Business Partnering Safety Culture Manager Effectiveness

Human Resources Director

Caracal Energy

Feb 2007 - Feb 2012 (5 years)

Built and scaled the HR function from the ground up for a high-growth startup, establishing talent acquisition, organizational design, performance management, and culture to support rapid scaling and international expansion. Designed enterprise employee engagement and DEIB initiatives, advised the CEO and leadership on complex employee relations and legal risk mitigation, and mentored an HR leader