NICOLA ELLIS281-796-7084 // ellisnicola@hotmail.com

Senior HR Business Partner with 15 years' experience with leading organizations. Experience encompasses generalist experience with speciality in talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, implementing HR policy and campus recruitment. Excel at developing relationships and partnering with senior leaders in the development and implementation of HR initiatives, policies, procedures and processes, focused on ensuring HR alignment with organizational goals and objectives. Highly proficient in implementing innovative initiatives addressing business challenges of developing and retaining top talent.

EXPERIENCEGO Pilates and Barre, Houston TX 5/2014 – PresentOwner/Pilates Instructor Goal-oriented, fully-certified Pilates instructor with 2.5 years full-time teaching and a 6 years of part-time

teaching Responsible for all aspects of running my business from strategic inception to day-to-day operations Created and executed business strategy for set-up and ongoing operations Fostered excellent relationships and referrals by building trust and rapport with clients. Retained the

majority of my private clients from the first 6 months of opening Created and launched all marketing materials including print media, online, social media Grew business to maximum capacity via client referrals and strategically placed social media posting Regularly undertake training in order to stay current and offer fresh new ideas and solutions to my clients Engaged specialist partners including lawyer to set up appropriate legal framework; Graphic Designer to

create marketing materials including website logo, banner, posters, signs; Web designer to create and maintain website

AIG, Houston TX 12/2012 – 6/2014HR Director/Business Partner Senior advisor and coach to the CFO, AIG Life & Retirement and Group Head of Treasury & Strategic

Planning and their respective leadership teams Led numerous departmental restructuring/business realignments across multiple locations (Woodland Hills,

CA, Jersey City, NJ, Amarillo, TX, Minnesota, Houston, TX, Head office NYC). Included developing strategy while working with HR specialists (Comp & Ben, Employment Law, HR Shared Services)

Provided performance management feedback and coaching to senior management team as required Responsible for oversight of employee relations issues including conducting investigations and reporting

findings back to management. Conducted talent review and succession planning sessions to determine organisational deficiencies and

reorganise/hire internally/externally/implement development plans as required Participated in the hiring/onboarding of key executives Provided critical support to senior/mid-level managers as they performance managed poorly performing

employees Facilitated executive onboarding and team integration in order to speed up company assimilation process Built strong relationships with senior management, hiring managers and other HR colleagues to enable

systematic decision making across the team

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH, Houston, TX 7/2010 – 12/2012VP Human Resources/Business Partner Responsible for providing executive level direction for the HR function; provide tactical and strategic HR

support to the Global Head of Commodities and 4 Chief Technology Officers (lines of business include Global Commodities, Technology and Credit).

Partnered with management in determining HR and training needs while also developing strategies to accomplish the gaps identified through performance and organizational assessments for Commodities and Technology business units.

Accountable for defining organizational culture including developing and implementing strategic HR plans focused on positioning HR as a proactive partner to international and domestic business units.

Responsible for managing the annual compensation process; conducted market base pay analysis focused on alignment with competitor and market pay.

Developed an International Relocation procedures guideline; implemented across Global Markets Technology business unit.

Reviewed and implemented programs that provided essential skills to employees which encompassed providing knowledge on labor laws, Workplace Violence, EEOC, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, OSHA, Affirmative Action, Treating Others with Respect (harassment) and safety.

Worked closely with managers and employees on interpreting and implementing of policies and procedures.

Responsible for oversight of employee relations issues including conducting investigations and reporting findings back to management.

Provided management with coaching and guidance on employee relation issues including performance-related issues, terminations and severance packages.

Sole regional/site HR Manager responsible for supporting International business units virtually. Serve as Organizational Commodities Representative; heavily involved in philanthropic activities on behalf

of the Commodities business including leading the underwriting process of Rice University Summer Business Institute and managing the Beyond School Walls Program for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

BG GROUP PLC 4/2005 – 7/2010 FTSE 10 Natural Gas Company. Acquired by Shell in 2015 HR Manager (Houston, TX, 6/2007 – 7/2010) Provided Business Partner Generalist support to the Energy Marketing/Trading Organization, Production

Upstream Shale Gas Joint Venture, Finance and Global LNG Shipping business units. Partnered with Legal Counsel on performance management, employment law and termination/severance

concerns for Expats on assignment. Responsible for oversight of employee relations issues including conducting investigations and reporting

findings back to management. Led internal investigations on harassment, EEOC mediations; manages poor performance process with line managers, executes terminations and severances. Partnered with in-house and external Counsel on employee termination documentation.

Managed all full cycle recruitment efforts for the E&P, Energy Marketing and Finance business units. Managed full cycle international recruitment and mobilisation efforts for staffing of the Dallas office.

Developed and facilitated High Impact Coaching and Employee Engagement training sessions focused on labor laws, Workplace Violence, EEOC, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, OSHA and Harassment

Researched, developed and executed effective, strategies to establish and manage the Energy Marketing Graduate Program and the US component of the BG Group Graduate Program.

Developed, implemented and administered the outsourcing relocation process inclusive of policy and procedures’, domestic relocation guidelines, permanent international relocation guidelines and expatriate inbound guidelines.

Special projects include Joint Venture recruitment for Trinidad project, Greenfield HR set-up for the Brisbane and Dallas offices and Annual Performance Review Training for the Brisbane.

HR Manager (United Kingdom, April 2005 – June 2007) Provided broad-based Generalist support to the Legal Executive Vice President, Policy & Corporate Affairs

Executive Vice President, Head of Audit Department, and Head of Tax & Treasury business units; client base of over 200 employees (UK and internationally located expatriates). Provided back-up support to the remainder of Group Functions (200 client base).

Generalist support included leading yearly performance reviews (compensation, bonus, options grant, performance development initiatives and headcount reporting).

Partnered with Business Unit Leaders on review of succession planning, talent management and leadership development.

Administered the selection of appropriate professional staff and managerial development initiatives. Consulted with key stakeholders on reorganizational efforts including succession planning and retention

initiatives; results included the development and implementation of an enhanced mentoring model for the organization.

Provided management advice and counsel on labor law matters; executed performance management processes.

Developed and facilitated team management meetings for Heads of Functions; program design initiatives were both operational and strategic.

Developed and implemented resource planning, talent management and career development programs. Maintained recruiting campaigns to meet business needs; recruiting skillsets included executive level

positions, expatriate opportunities (worldwide) and mid-level experienced positions. Created and implemented a New Hire/Induction program which was recognized as a best practice model

put into effect world-wide.

HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES, London 11/2000 – 4/2005International Executive Search FirmSenior Associate Responsible for providing full cycle recruitment expertise to the Executive Officer Division. This fast paced

environment was responsible for executing searches for Chief Executive Officers, Human Resource Directors, Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Chief Financial Officers, Divisional Finance Directors and Head of Internal Audit candidates across all industries.

Partnered with clients to identify candidate skillset requirements. Developed and implemented a targeted recruitment plan inclusive of direct candidate contact,

professional association, competitor, and online sourcing. Screened resumes, qualified candidates and scheduled client interviews. Followed-up with hiring managers

and candidates for feedback. Developed and maintained a network of contacts to help identify and source qualified leaders. Responsible for preparing client reports and analysis on strategy results; number of qualified candidates

contacted and interested, sourcing avenues, referrals, competitor candidates, etc.

EDUCATIONMaster of Arts

University of North London - 2003Employment Studies/Human Resource Management

Bachelor of ScienceUniversity of Wollongong, Australia - 1997Psychology/Human Resource Management

Personal DetailsUS Citizen