
Sonja J. Hayes, JD, SHRM-CP
Assistant Director Of Career Services

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About me
HR Professional | Collaborator | Communicator | Strategist
Education

Western New England University School of Law
-Juris DoctorActivities and Societies: ABA Law Student Division

University of Vermont
-Bachelor of Arts Psychology
Experience

Western New England University School of Law
Jan 2004 - Sept 2006Assistant Director Of Career ServicesCounseled current students, prospective students, and alumni concerning job search strategies, employment options, interview techniques, and career changes.Selected Accomplishments:- Redesigned mentor program and successfully implemented signature event. - Researched available software to streamline office procedures and provided successful recommendation (Symplicity).

University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Sept 2006 - Aug 2007Career ConsultantProvided individual career counseling including assessment, guidance for selection of major, and occupational exploration. Selected Accomplishments:- Oversaw, planned, and implemented two career fairs.- Strategized with Director and staff to re-brand Career Center to students, faculty, staff, and employers.- Supervised Career Counselor/Advisor, Staff Assistant, and student workers.

Stetson University College of Law
Aug 2007 - Apr 2011Associate Director of Career DevelopmentProvided individual career counseling to prospective and current students and alumni including assessment using MBTI, assistance with creation and review of job search materials, job search techniques, interview preparation, and guidance with negotiation of offers. Selected Accomplishments:- Acted as liaison to multiple student organizations and provided mentorship to four first-year student cohorts completing Professionalism Series. - Managed judicial clerkship advising process; coordinating efforts with faculty clerkship committee, individual faculty members, and faculty support staff.- Oversaw the collection and data entry of all graduate employment statistics for purposes of NALP reporting and acted as primary resource for transparency initiatives. - Supported Director in oversight of office and effectively managed office and supervised staff during Director’s absences. Show less

University of South Florida Lakeland
Oct 2011 - Aug 2012Talent Management Agent/Career AdvisorAssisted students and alumni with identifying professional and career development goals. Selected Accomplishments:- Designed and administered student needs assessment for program planning and development. - Oversaw transition, implementation, and maintenance of student information system (College Central to Experience). - Developed budget proposals and drafted strategic planning documents.

Barry University - Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
Sept 2012 - Jun 2015Director of Career ServicesOversaw and managed delivery of comprehensive career planning and job search guidance services to students and alumni. Initially hired in Remote Consultant capacity (9/12-12/12).Selected Accomplishments:- Performed staff needs assessment resulting in restructured positions and revised position descriptions. - Delivered performance reviews for staff of 3-5. - Participated in applicant tracking system (ATS) quality control and improvement program. - Collaborated with staff to develop comprehensive strategic plans, reflective of short and long-term departmental goals. - Maintained oversight of budget planning and expenditures for the Office by spearheading initiative for individual departmental budgets. - Designed and implemented re-branding campaign for CMS. Show less

Manatee County Sheriff's Office
Apr 2016 - Oct 2017HR GeneralistAssisted individual employees and supervisors with leave policy interpretation. Oversaw recruitment for assigned Bureau by processing certified and non-certified applicants through NEOGOV ATS. Selected Accomplishments:- Designed and delivered FMLA training to supervisors. - Managed multiple recruitment processes for varying hiring needs (civilian, certified, interns, and volunteers).- Corrected procedural gaps.

Hunter Warfield
Oct 2017 - Nov 2019HR GeneralistServed as primary point of contact for ~300 global, remote, and on-site employees.Selected Accomplishments:- Developed subject matter expertise in the use of Ultimate Software HRIS. - Assisted with build out, implementation, and rollout of replacement HRIS platform, Paylocity. - Participated in overhaul of performance management and review processes, including launch and optimization of 15Five platform. - Partnered with managers for policy interpretation and guidance for performance management of teams. Provided feedback and direction on policy and employee handbook updates; developed revised management standards. - Promoted 2018 employee wellness initiatives and spearheaded month-to-month plan to reach engagement goals resulting in increase of over 400% compared to prior year engagement levels.- Designed interactive onboarding program. - Responded to unemployment claims and successfully represented company in appeal claims. Show less

Dental Care Alliance
Jan 2020 - Mar 2020Senior Benefits AdministratorProvided benefit support to over 4,000 employees across 22 states. Interacted with vendors. Participated in implementation and marketing of additional benefit program options. Processed and sent 401k contribution files weekly, HSA files bi-monthly. Reconciled monthly billing invoices for benefit vendors.

Lazydays
Aug 2020 - Feb 2022Senior Human Resources GeneralistProvided support to ~1600 employees and managers across 16 locations and 10 states. Improved and elevated HR team through increased communication across teams and locations.Selected Accomplishments:- Performed comprehensive audit to ensure SOX standards for HRIS system user roles/rights were met.- Created and delivered Manager Bootcamp trainings for new managers at 3 newly acquired locations.- Developed best practices for benefits, acquisitions, performance management and progressive discipline.- Collaborated with Senior Director and Senior Leadership to expand Paid Time Off and Leave Donation programs.- Led acquisition process for HR functions including preparation of pay plan and benefit comparisons, delivery of onboarding presentations, offers and on-site support for acquired employees. Successfully completed six acquisitions ranging from 25-130 employees. Show less

Resident Interface - By Hunter Warfield
Feb 2022 - nowHR Manager
Licenses & Certifications

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Certified Practitioner
CAPTDec 2009- View certificate

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
SHRMDec 2015 - View certificate

Employee Engagement Specialist
Top WorkplacesJul 2023
Honors & Awards
- Awarded to Sonja J. Hayes, JD, SHRM-CPExecutive Club Top Performer - Aug 2019
- Awarded to Sonja J. Hayes, JD, SHRM-CPNominee, Shared Services Employee of the Year - Dec 2018
- Awarded to Sonja J. Hayes, JD, SHRM-CPExecutive Club Top Performer - Oct 2018
Volunteer Experience
Career Center Specialist/First Impressions Volunteer
Issued by Dress for Success Tampa Bay on Nov 2015
Associated with Sonja J. Hayes, JD, SHRM-CPVice-President, 2012-2013; Committee Chair, Staff Appreciation Week, 2011-2013
Issued by Palmetto Charter School PTO on Aug 2011
Associated with Sonja J. Hayes, JD, SHRM-CP
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