Open to opportunities

Leslie Barkley

@lesliebarkley

Message

I’m a hands-on HR and labor compliance director who scales multi-state teams with expert execution and risk reduction.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a remote-capable HR leadership role where I can own multi-state labor compliance, strengthen HR policy and investigations, and help leadership scale operations safely and efficiently.

I’m a hands-on HR and labor compliance leader with 20+ years of progressive experience supporting multi-site, multi-state healthcare and human services organizations. I serve executive leadership as a trusted advisor, building HR infrastructure and delivering operational HR execution across complex, distributed environments.

In my current and prior roles, I’ve led end-to-end HR operations—employee relations, benefits administration, payroll coordination, and multi-site workforce planning. I oversee wage & hour compliance (exempt/non-exempt, overtime, PTO), and manage FMLA/ADA and other leave administration while ensuring HR policies and handbooks align with state and federal requirements.

I also run investigations and corrective action with a legal, outcomes-focused mindset. From launching new locations to strengthening compliance programs, I’m known for operating autonomously, coaching leaders, and mitigating HR audit and regulatory risk.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Founder & HR Consultant

Current

Direct HR Consulting LLC

Jan 2022 - Present (4 years 6 months)

Provided fractional and project-based HR consulting to small and mid-size organizations, supporting wage & hour audits and FMLA/ADA compliance assessments. Built HR infrastructure including handbooks, HR policies, and SOPs, and delivered employee relations support, HR investigations, and compliance training.

Exempt Non Exempt Classification Reviews HR Policies SOP Development HR Investigations Employee Relations Compliance Training

Director of Human Resources

Peaceful Living

Nov 2024 - Oct 2025 (11 months)

Served as a senior HR and compliance advisor for a multi-location healthcare organization, leading end-to-end HR operations including employee relations, benefits administration, and multi-site workforce planning. Managed wage & hour compliance, workplace investigations, and corrective action processes across multiple states to support program expansion.

Employee Relations Workplace Investigations Wage & Hour Compliance Overtime Management PTO Administration FMLA ADA Benefits Administration HR Operations

Director of Human Resources

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York

Oct 2022 - Jan 2024 (1 year 3 months)

Partnered with executive leadership on multi-state compliance strategy, workforce planning, and organizational development, directing employee relations and internal investigations. Managed HR policy enforcement and handbook updates, including FMLA/ADA administration and compliance with state and federal requirements.

Employee Relations Internal Investigations FMLA Administration ADA Employee Handbook Labor Compliance Policy Enforcement Workforce Planning Organizational Development

HR Director

Delaware State Housing Authority

Mar 2020 - Sep 2022 (2 years 6 months)

Oversaw statewide HR operations and compliance strategy for a government agency with a multi-location workforce. Advised executive leadership on labor law interpretation and employee relations, and managed HR policy development, investigations, and regulatory compliance across departments.

Labor Law Employee Relations Investigation HR Policies Regulatory Compliance Organizational Effectiveness