Linda Opara

LINDA OPARA (SPHRi, HRPL, ACIPM) T-, - In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-opara-/ @:-L: Lagos. Career Profile A seasoned Human Resource generalist with over 14 years’ experience in; HR Operations & Service delivery, Talent Acquisition & Management, Organizational development, Performance management and a track record of supporting overall business growth. ACHIEVEMENTS Grown  Track Record: • • • • • • Employee Relations Recruitment & Retention Conflict Resolution Experience in divers operating business models, development and translation of strategy into operational plans and implementation Human Resource Strategy, Policies and Process development Compensation & Benefit Administration Senior Manager: People Operations (Reporting to Chief Talent Officer, Nigeria) Smile Communications August 2021 - Date Responsible for developing, motivating and retaining the team at Smile Nigeria. A champion for the company values, supporting Smile’ Executives and Leaders, allowing the company to develop and grow while building a unique and strong people oriented culture. • • • • • • • Provide human resources support and consultation across the business on the most complex issues, supporting staff, managers and executives in all related areas including: recruitment, performance management, compensation and rewards, staff relations, and people development. Mapping employee journey and life cycle Connecting employee performance with Smile’ organizational goals Addressing employee pain points through continuous engagement Proactively promote & champion of company culture and values; building a more ethical & diverse organizational culture Creating a sustainable brand image from the inside out. Collaborates with in-house Legal Team in the preparation for and participation in negotiation for all employee related issues Senior HR Business Partner (Reporting to Chief Talent Officer, Nigeria) Smile Communications October 2017 – July 2021 Working closely with Smile’ Leaders to enhance workforce performance, foster and nurture strategic people enablers such as talent, leadership, learning and culture, as well as develop people solutions, to achieve Smile’ objectives. HR Business Partnering • • • • • Recruit, onboard and managed the Sales force across the ten (10) regions of operation in Nigeria Internal & External consultant providing an enabling business support role Analyzing sales trends, metrics and pay structure of industry to build a competitive commission structure with the Sales Operations Team Actively engaged management and ensured the continuation of a competent workforce adding value to the company through development, motivation, and retention Key change agent for the implementation of Health Insurance Providers; promoting companywide buy-in, acceptance and Management approval 98% compliance with all statutory and audit requirements Improved     Statutory and Audit compliance Performance-driven culture Employee engagement to 85% Reduced third party recruiting fees by 74% Project Management  Built a comprehensive Employee recruiting strategy for ‘’Project Floodgate’’ and ran a successful recruitment process for 400 Sales Agents across the Ten (10) regions of Smile operations in Nigeria, with a 100% success rate of the project.  As Project Lead for Talent Acquisition, achieved a 100% completion rate of hiring, onboarding & training support for ‘’Call Center expansion project’’.  As Talent Project Champion for “Project Smile & Diamond Bank Kiosk Partnership’’ recruited and deployed 80 Retail Assistants across country. HR Initiatives      Performance Management system Reward system for Sales team to encourage and maintain strong performance Job grading & salary alignment Design & Implementation of Reward & Recognition programs Design of succession & replacement policy Built Partnerships     Outsourcing Partners Nigerian Immigration Service Industrial Training Fund National Social Insurance Trust Fund • • • • • Identifying gaps/training needs across departments and working with the Training Team to develop action plans Pioneered and drove the HR Business Partner model for Smile Nigeria and building productive relationships that improved collaboration Designed a policy on Talent management, succession and replacement planning Generating insight from data and using same to support business cases and strategies Developed a Talent pipeline that enables diversity and business growth Compensation & Benefits: • • • • Designed and Implemented Company-wide Compensation, Job grading and Salary bands Responsible for managing the full payroll cycle for FTE & Third party employees Reviewed and revamped salary structure for the Sales Agents which increased sales figures by 62% in three (3) months Researched, analyzed and produced Industry salary comparison reports, which enabled Senior Management approve salary increase after 4 years. SKILLS & COMPETENCE        PERSONAL TRAITS Integrity Not compromising my ethics and upholding them in private & public Acting Head: Talent (Reporting to the MD: Nigeria & Group Head Talent: South Africa) Smile Communications March 2017 – July 2017 • • • • Reviewed and designed Talent policies, procedures, processes for Smile Nigeria Successfully transitioned from paper leave applications to a fully integrated HRIS platform Identification of key staff trends and challenges in the company and recommendation of corrective action plans where necessary; Designed Retention Strategy which improved retention by 60% Talent Officer (Reporting to the Head of Talent: Nigeria) Smile Communications September 2015 – May 2017 Lead and direct the routine functions of the Human Resources (HR) department including hiring and interviewing staff, administering benefits, and leave, and enforcing company policies and practices • • • • • Supported Line Managers in key HR processes like; hiring, performance & development, redeployment and relocations Monitored headcount based on current versus forecasted plans Management of grievance and disputes to promote a value adding workforce and a stable work environment; HR representative at disciplinary hearing/proceedings Coordination of residency applications (Regularization of stay, CERPAC Cards/Green Cards, CERPAC Endorsements, Minor Residence Endorsement, Visitor’s Pass Extension, Temporary Work Permit / TWP, Deletion from Expatriate Quota, Expatriate Quota Processing, Visa on Arrival). Talent Acquisition & Management Revenue & Cost Management Influencing & Negotiation Skills Alliances & Partnerships Conflict Resolution Communication & Interpersonal skills Global & Cultural Awareness Humanity The zeal to make a positive impact on employees to enrich and improve the work life Innovative Thinking out of the box and finding new ways to unlock potentials Tech Knowhow    ERP/HRMS (Orange) Project Management Tools/ Workspaces (JIRA) Payroll Solutions (Sage Payroll) Recognition   Recognized as the Talent Employee of the Year (2018,2019) Recognized for single-handedly running HR Operations of Smile Nigeria for four (4) months LANGUAGES Senior HR Consultant (Reporting to the Managing Director) Home City Realtors Nig. Ltd August 2012 – August 2015 Initiating and leading human resource projects and providing advice /recommendations to the Business leaders for resolution • • • • Providing specialist information and guidance to employees and managers on HR policies & procedures Implemented a continuous employee feedback mechanism to reinforce change and transformation Built relationships with internal and external business partners for seamless operation Updated all HR policies, working closely with various departments to ensure compliance   English French CURRENT PURSUIT Studying to acquire the GPHR (Global Professional in Human Resources) certification • • • Monitored employee performance appraisal process and analyzed employees’ training needs in conjunction with line managers Managed employee orientation activities; induction/onboarding of new employees Reviewed and updated job descriptions and contracts of employments for the various business units • HR & ADMIN OFFICER (Reporting to Head, Board Secretariat Legal & Admin) Profound Securities Limited May 2008 – July 2012 Maintaining employee and updating HR databases (e.g. new hires, separations, vacation and sick leaves). Assisting in providing relevant data like; absences, bonus and leaves for payroll preparation. • Recruitment and Onboarding of staff • Ensuring that all company policies and procedures are up to date in line with the Nigerian labour law • Tracked and communicated the completion of the Annual Performance Appraisal • Manage leave requests and ensure timely update for payroll • Successfully managed the exit process upon disengagement • Management of facility, pool cars and drivers • Liaising with Finance department for payment of staff Final entitlement • Performed office administrative functions including statutory remittances, procurement of supplies and supervision of service staff Personal Assistant to The Managing Director Marine Dredging & Allied Services • • • • • • September 2005 – March 2007 Was responsible for arranging Meetings/Briefs for the M.D, and coordinating his calendar Screening telephone calls and emails and handling them appropriately. Handling negotiations, events analysis, accommodation, and Visa & travel itineraries. Preparing letters, memos, reports and presentations promptly and efficiently Coordinated HR projects while providing administrative support such as preparing correspondence, reports and tracking deadlines for the MD Providing high level assistance to the MD with utmost confidentiality OTHER POSITIONS HELD Marketing Officer Assurance Bank (Pre-NYSC) 2003 Business Development Officer Fashion ‘N’ Vogue (NYSC) 2004 EDUCATION Masters in International Relations & Strategic Studies Lagos State University 2008 BA.Edu (French) University of Port Harcourt 2003 Diploma in French University of Cocody (Cote d’Ivoire) 2001 Other Certificates • • • Senior Professional in Human Resource International SPHRi Associate, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Human Resource Practitioner