Sandy Watson

Advised executive teams on HR strategy, workforce planning, organizational design, and business alignment across multiple client organizations. Led talent development and succession planning initiatives, using workforce analytics and partnering with finance/compensation leaders to optimize resourcing, compensation frameworks, and HR budgets.

Directed and supervised an HR team, managing workload distribution, coaching, employee development plans, and annual evaluations. Led lifecycle audits and redesigned onboarding, performance management, benefits administration, and offboarding workflows while optimizing Paylocity/HRIS governance and compliance documentation.

Advised leadership on employee relations, workforce needs, team development, and organizational effectiveness. Conducted investigations and supported consistent onboarding/offboarding and confidential records management aligned with HR policy and employment regulations.

Served as primary HR advisor to executive leadership supporting 300+ employees across multiple business units. Led performance calibration using the nine-box model, managed employee relations in union and non-union settings, and partnered on DEI and retention-focused exit interview analysis.

Led digitization of employee file management systems to improve compliance documentation accuracy and reduce manual processing. Developed COVID-19 return-to-office and flexible work protocols and delivered manager training on HR topics including coaching and performance management.

Supported enterprise HR operations, including onboarding, HRIS administration, employee engagement, and workforce reporting. Improved reporting accuracy and employee data integrity, coordinating onboarding and employee records management and supporting HR system enhancements for employee lifecycle tracking.

Negotiated vendor contracts and managed event logistics aligned with organizational goals. Supported conflict resolution, performance review processes, employee relations, and assisted business units with HR systems, HR support, and talent management activities.

Advanced through progressive customer operations roles based on initiative, service quality, and data accuracy. Maintained credential verification processes and improved database integrity while supporting customer operations documentation accuracy and process improvement initiatives.

Earned a Master of Science in HR Management & Development from National Louis University. Focused on HR leadership and organizational development.

Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Chicago State University. Built a broad foundation across liberal arts and science disciplines.