Ligia Pop

Experience

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  Edil

  Jul 2003 - Feb 2004

  Human Resources Generalist

  This was my first HR role, where I gained exposure to a wide range of HR processes, from administration and talent acquisition to training, performance reviews, and employee relations. This experience laid the foundation for my HR career

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  Cominca

  May 2004 - Jan 2007

  Human Resources Manager

  I started as an HR Specialist at Cominca and progressed into my first HR Manager role. One of my most significant challenges and achievements was leading the redesign of the people structure in collaboration with the Plant General Manager. This project helped optimize HR operations and align the workforce with the company's strategic goals, marking a key milestone in my HR career

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  Continental Hotels

  Jan 2008 - Oct 2009

  Human Resources Coordinator

  This was my first experience in the hospitality industry, where I managed all HR-related functions, including budgeting and employee relations. It was here that I built the foundation of my HR knowledge in the sector and discovered my passion for hospitality, which shaped my approach in subsequent roles. The skills and insights gained during this time were crucial to my growth in both HR and hospitality management

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  Hotel Ramada Oradea

  Feb 2010 - Jul 2011

  Human Resources Manager

  As part of the hotel’s opening management team, I was responsible for setting up the entire manning structure and managing all HR-related functions and company culture programs. This was my first hotel opening and proved to be a significant challenge due to the tight timeline – with just 3 weeks to hire, train, and prepare the team for the grand opening. Despite the pressure, I successfully built a strong team ready to deliver exceptional service to our first guests, laying the foundation for a successful hotel operation Show less

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  DoubleTree by Hilton

  Jul 2011 - Aug 2014

  Human Resources Manager

  As part of the preopening and opening team, I played a key role in building the hotel’s HR foundation from scratch. I was responsible for hiring and training the entire team, creating departments, and fostering collaboration to meet company and brand standards. My leadership ensured the teams were ready to deliver exceptional guest experiences when we opened. Achievements include successfully setting up a high-performing team and receiving the Connie Award in 2013, the most prestigious DoubleTree brand award, recognizing the best hotel globally Show less

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  ATP Exodus

  Sept 2014 - Mar 2015

  Human Resources Manager

  Managed HR functions for a group of companies with offices in Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary. Led HR strategy and planning, oversaw budgeting, and coordinated the HR team to ensure alignment with organizational goals

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  Consilio

  Jan 2015 - Feb 2016

  HR Consultant

  Founded and managed an HR consulting business, delivering organizational development projects. Focused on establishing new HR departments, creating policies and procedures, recruiting key positions, and implementing customized performance review systems

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  STA Travel

  Jan 2016 - Aug 2020

  People & Culture (HR) Manager Romania

  At STA Travel, I played a key role in setting up and overseeing HR operations across two offices in Romania and shared services for multiple countries, including Australia and New Zealand. My responsibilities spanned the full spectrum of HR functions, but I also acted as a strategic partner to business leaders, helping them align HR initiatives with business goals and driving significant changes in company operations.Key contributions and achievements:Led the HR function to align with business strategy across Romania, Australia, and New Zealand. I provided strategic HR counsel to senior leaders, ensuring the development of a people strategy that supported company growth and transformationDeveloped and tailored HR programs covering talent management, learning & development, and compensation & benefits that met the unique needs of a rapidly growing, international business. Partnered with COEs to co-create solutions that aligned with organizational objectivesChange management & engagement: Managed and facilitated major change initiatives, such as restructuring and evolving the staffing model to support company growth. Successfully drove employee engagement initiatives, ensuring smooth communication and adoption of new processesPlayed a central role in leadership development and succession planning, identifying key talent and supporting senior leadership in succession discussionsAdvocated for people-centric programs that enhanced both employee well-being and performanceManaged a cross-functional HR team while simultaneously serving as a coach and mentor, fostering a high-performance culture and promoting collaboration across regions and departmentsActed as a trusted advisor to senior management, supporting decision-making in areas of workforce planning, organizational design, and operational strategy. Acting as a strategic partner to senior leadership, ensuring that HR initiatives contributed to business outcomes Show less

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  Piata9

  Apr 2020 - Nov 2023

  People and Culture Manager

  Joined Piata9 during its early stages as a startup and played a key role in transforming it into a beloved local brand and a great place to work for over 150 employees. As a core member of the management team, I contributed to the company's growth through strategic people decisions and operational support during some of its most pivotal moments, including navigating the challenges of the pandemic, expanding to a nationwide e-commerce presence, and opening a second Piata9 location in Oradea.Key responsibilities and contributions:Developed and implemented HR processes and policies from scratch, helping to scale the company efficiently and maintain a high-quality employee experienceCollaborated with the management team to support the launch of e-commerce, transforming Piata9 from a food hall into a nationwide retailerPlayed a crucial role in opening a second location, overseeing talent acquisition and workforce planning for both production and hospitality operationsActed as a strategic partner to Operations and Top Management to make key business and people decisions that balanced growth, efficiency, and profitabilityHired the right people for key roles, fostered a strong company culture, and ensured that employees felt engaged and motivated to provide exceptional service to customers Show less

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  New Lebada Resort & Spa

  Oct 2023 - Jul 2024

  HR Director at New Lebada Resort & Spa

  Took the role of HR Director for a 5-star resort located in the Danube Delta, overseeing the full spectrum of Human Resources operations in a complex, seasonal, and customer-focused environment.Key responsibilities:Led the end-to-end HR function, including administration, payroll, recruitment, employee relations, and complianceManaged talent acquisition strategies for both seasonal and permanent staff, ensuring service standards and staffing needs were consistently metDesigned and implemented training and development programs tailored to hospitality operations, improving team performance and guest satisfactionActed as a trusted advisor to senior management on people strategy, labor regulations, and organizational culture Show less