Alan Hooker

The Chicago Lighthouse [Chicago, IL]
Jan 2013 – Jul 2017 · 4 yrs 7 mos
The Chicago Lighthouse

Vice President, Employee Relations and Training
current

Art Institute of Chicago [Chicago, IL]
Jan 2013 – Jul 2017 · 4 yrs 7 mos
Thresholds is a nonprofit organization founded in 1959 serving persons with mental illnesses and substance abuse problems in Illinois.

Manager of Employee Relations and Training
Assesses organizational employment practice risks and issues, and assists with development and implementation of programs and initiatives that address business problems. Collaborates with Director of Employee Relations and Training, CHRO, General Counsel and institutional leadership to assess and mitigate employment related risk factors. Provides advice and counsel to management and all staff of The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) and The School of the Art Institute (SAIC) regarding policies and procedures, including discipline, and legislative requirements as they apply to employer/employee relationships. Confers with managers, human resources staff, legal counsel and employees to investigate, document and resolve alleged violations of law and charges of discrimination or harassment; prepare reports of findings and recommend corrective action. Collaborates with management and employees to ensure a respectful, collegial environment and assist with the equitable resolution of internal employee complaints. Assists with development and implementation of employee engagement assessments to gather employee opinions on work-related issues. Uses data to identify opportunities for improving the employee experience, including implementing interventions designed to increase employee engagement.

Thresholds [Chicago, IL]
Jan 2013 – Jul 2017 · 4 yrs 7 mos
Thresholds is a nonprofit organization founded in 1959 serving persons with mental illnesses and substance abuse problems in Illinois.

Recruiter
Provided counsel to all management on policies and procedures, including hiring, discipline, performance, and termination. Developed and executed a comprehensive employee relations plan for the agency that addressed current and future employee engagement, recognition, and retention strategies. Partnered with Chief Talent Officer, C-Suite, Vice Presidents, Program Directors and Department Heads to develop and execute programs and systems that build and sustain a positive, productive and empowering culture for a diverse workforce. Designed and facilitated training on key employee relations issues. Drove performance management program design and delivery. Conducted and resolved investigations of charges brought by employees of alleged disparate treatment, harassment, and violations of policy and law.

Career Education Corporation [Schaumburg, IL]
2Apr 2012 – Jan 2013 · 10 mos
American for-profit postsecondary higher education provider

Recruiter
Responsible for full-life cycle recruiting for a range of internal clients, interfacing with multitude of hiring managers to create staffing plans, source, prescreen, interview, conduct offer negotiations, and track talent acquisition process in ATS.

Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal customers and external sources to fulfill customer service needs.
• Foster team-focused attitude that seeks to a build reputation on high performance and consultation.
• Ensure prompt and accurate compliance with established company hiring practices and processes.
• Provide guidance to hiring managers on all matters related to staff employment.
• Review job orders and created applicant flow match applications with job requirements, utilizing advanced sourcing strategies and methods.
• Prepare and list internal and external job postings to generate job candidates.
• Review resumes and applications of both internal and external candidates, screen candidates to ensure qualifications and fit, administer appropriate assessments, and conduct interviews to properly assess candidates.
• Make recommendations to hiring managers for final selection.
• Extend formal employment offers to ensure consistent and compliant language.

Career Education Corporation [Schaumburg, IL]
2Apr 2012 – Jan 2013 · 10 mos
American for-profit postsecondary higher education provider

Recruiter
Responsible for full-life cycle recruiting for a range of internal clients, interfacing with multitude of hiring managers to create staffing plans, source, prescreen, interview, conduct offer negotiations, and track talent acquisition process in ATS.

• Interpreted and administered organizational policies and procedures.
• Provided consultation for managers on best practices in area of recruitment, selection and compensation.
• Trained management on interviewing, hiring, terminations, promotions, performance review, safety, sexual harassment and other relevant topics.
• Conducted background checks and pre-hire assessments.
• Engaged in strategic planning and quality assurance activities.
• Planned and conducted new employee orientation.
• Project manager of government-required file audits.
• Successfully represented organization in numerous unemployment hearings and union grievances

HEARTLAND ALLIANCE [Chicago, IL]
2010 – 2011
International non-profit organization dedicated to advancing human rights and human needs of endangered populations with 1,000 employees in 15 countries.

Workforce Development Manager
Supported Employee Services and Workforce Development department by performing array of human resources duties including, but not limited to, serving as primary advisor and collaborator with organizational managers on issues of recruitment, personnel and performance management, employment practice, and employee relations.

• Interpreted and administered organizational policies and procedures.
• Provided consultation for managers on best practices in area of recruitment, selection and compensation.
• Trained management on interviewing, hiring, terminations, promotions, performance review, safety, sexual harassment and other relevant topics.
• Conducted background checks and pre-hire assessments.
• Engaged in strategic planning and quality assurance activities.
• Planned and conducted new employee orientation.
• Project manager of government-required file audits.
• Successfully represented organization in numerous unemployment hearings and union grievances

ACCESSIBLE SPACE, INC. [Saint Paul, MN]
1998 – 2010
National non-profit provider of affordable housing and assisted living services for adults with disabilities and seniors, operating in 25 states with 600 employees.

Employment Administrator / Recruiter
Spearheaded high-volume staffing requirements for exempt and nonexempt personnel via multi-state recruitment and retention methods in accordance with applicable labor laws. Administered $47K annual recruitment budget. Conducted reference checks and criminal background investigations. Facilitated employee on-boarding, and coordinated continuing education schedules. Drove employee relations, discipline, and terminations. Provided support for unemployment insurance claims and representation at hearings. Contributed to annual review and drafting of policies. Served as Affirmative Action Officer. Prepared and submit required AA / EEO reports to governmental agencies, and ensured compliance with Affirmative Action goals. Directed employee recognition programs.

• Played integral role in designing supervisory educational seminars and facilitating training sessions.
• Slashed annual temporary employee labor cost 100% within 5 years by eliminating temporary labor and fulfilling duties in-house.
• Reduced overall annual turnover 48% by educating management on value of workforce stability and enhancing advancement opportunities.
• Developed systematic staffing process that measured job candidates more effectively and with greater equity to meet EEO/AA goals and enhance retention rates.
• Organized I-9 record maintenance to comply with Federal requirements.
• Achieved successful auditing rating by Saint Paul Human Rights Department by instituting diversity programs.
  

MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD [Minneapolis, MN]
2006 – 2007
Governing body of Minneapolis Public Library system, with 15 public libraries, 370 staff, and 2.8M annual visitors.

Trustee
Served as representative of citizens of Minneapolis to municipal governmental unit. Oversaw establishment, management, and maintenance of public libraries in Minneapolis and appointment of Library Director, who administers and coordinates library operations within guidelines, objectives, policies, and principles approved by Library Board.

• Honored with election to citywide, nonpartisan office from field of 19 candidates.
• Employed public relations skills to establish regular community forums for interchange of communication and ideas between citizens and elected official.
• Utilized negotiation skills and message development abilities to form majority coalitions which enabled successful enactment of policy initiatives.
• Lobbied for creation of Intergovernmental Relations Committee and selected to serve as its first Chair.
• Appointed to serve as Minneapolis representative to Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA), Chair of Community Libraries Committee (2006); Chair of Finance Committee (2006), Treasurer (2006), Chair of Personnel Committee (2007), and Vice President (2007); Chair of ADA Committee, Chair of Personnel Committee, Chair of Central, and Community Library Relations Committee.
  

LAVENDER MAGAZINE, INC. [Minneapolis, MN]
2001 – 2002
Biweekly regional publication of arts, entertainment, culture, business and political news.

Freelance Writer
Wrote popular biweekly political column; conducted interviews with city, state, and national political leaders.

Administrative Resource Options – Director of Training & Development, Human Resources Director
Administrative Resource Options – Assistant Account Manager, Sales & Marketing Coordinator

• Championed and established first formal corporate training department; facilitated leadership training and management development.
• Wrote 9 training manuals and 3 seminars on employment law, cultural diversity & sexual orientation in the workplace, time management, goal setting, sexual harassment, communication, morale, and leadership.
• Developed personnel policy manual, employee evaluations, salary/compensation report and composition which led to ARO being awarded Greater Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce’s Quality of Life Award.
• Co-authored company marketing plan and ARO’s Quality Award guidelines.
  

Blockbuster Video – Store Manager

• Profitably managed 4th highest volume video rental store in Seattle metropolitan area.
• Energized and engaged staff of 14 to exceed all sales goals, customer service measures and loss prevention parameters.
  

Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission – Commissioner, Vice Chair, 1999 – 2001

Twin Cities Quorum – Secretary, 1999 – 2001

Minneapolis Civilian Police Review Authority – 2003 – 2005

Chairman of statewide political caucus – 2003 – 2005

Manager, Fundraiser, Volunteer Coordinator and Strategist for 16 political campaigns (local, statewide and national)

Master of Science in Human Resources Management, Expected: 2013 – Capella University
Bachelor of Science in Political Science & Journalism – Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Professional in Human Resources (PHR) – HRCI Certified 2007
Paralegal Studies Program Certificate – Rollins College, Winter Park, FL
Human Resources Generalist Certificate – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Society of Human Resource Professionals (SHRP)
Staffing Management Association of Greater Chicago (SMA)
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Paychex HR Online, Taleo ATS, Ceridian Source 500, HPL and Recruiting Solutions, ADP HR/Benefits Solution, Photoshop Elements, Basic HTML