Linda Ezenwosu

Future forward and data-driven People Operations professional with 11+ years of experience working with start-ups, multinational organizations, and impact organizations. I have worked to transform HR functions across diverse industries; Education, Financial Service, Security, Information Technology, Edu-Tech, Oil & Gas, Logistics, Export Trading, and FMCG. I am a business partner with a solid record of initiating and implementing people strategies and action points that effectively drive organizational results.

I create value for all business stakeholders, ensure the organization wins in the marketplace and give employees a great sense of fulfilment.

AREA OF EXPERTISE

Strategic Planning |Policy Development & Implementation| Recruitment | Talent Management | Learning & Development |Compensation Management |Onboarding| Performance Management |Labour Law & International Conventions |Stakeholder Management |Employee Experience Advocate | Conflict Management | Audit & Risk Management | Analytics & Reporting | Data Analysis | Project Management | Facility & Vendor Management |Cloud Services & Security | Payroll Administration

Head, People and Culture Câm Dairy Foods Limited 12/2022 to date

Responsible for planning, organising, directing, controlling and coordinating the human resource and workplace relations activities within organisations to meet business needs.

Key achievements include:

• Business Partnering: Collaborated with department leads to identify areas for improvement in process documentation, training, performance management, digitization, and automation, aiming to achieve 100% seamless operations, which resulted in noticeable improvements such as a 10% reduction in turnaround time and 23% increase in efficiency, paving the way for continued enhancements towards seamless operations.
• Partnerships: Through collaborative efforts with the team, a grant totaling USD 300,000 was successfully secured from the Arrell Global Food Innovation Award and GSMA Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience and Adaption 2.0, enhancing the capacity to address critical global challenges.
• Talent Acquisition: Redefined talent acquisition framework, and incorporated productivity tools like Calendly to manage scheduling and Forms for assessments. This reduced recruitment costs by 67%. Advised and assisted Department Leads in applying sound recruitment and selection practices, and appropriate induction, training, and development programs.
• Performance Management: Developed and implemented performance management systems to plan, appraise, and improve individual and team performance guidelines. Partnered with business heads to align OKRs to organisation’s objective. This improved business performance by 35% and reduced staff burnout by 41%
• Learning and Development: Successfully implemented peer-to-peer coaching, redefining employee development strategies within learning and development, and recorded a 24% improvement in human capital capability.
• Employee Engagement: Implemented initiatives to improve cross-collaboration, including team bonding activities, town halls, peer reviews, and feedback sessions, resulting in a 20% increase in teamwork effectiveness and a 15% boost in communication satisfaction within the organization.
• Compensation and Benefits: Revamped processes with stringent checks and balances, integrating automation where possible, to enhance accuracy and efficiency in salary payments. This facilitated error-free transactions, ensuring strict adherence to statutory contributions (Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Contributory Pension Scheme, Group Life Insurance (Death Benefit), Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF),National Health Insurance Act (medical insurance)) and statutory deduction (National Housing Fund, PAYE tax, withholding tax,), and fostered a culture of transparency and accountability within the organization. Performed other duties like contracting and negotiation for employees, independent contractors, consultants, and vendors.
• Work Health and Safety: Developed and enforced workplace safety policies and procedures. Achieved a 40% decrease in workplace accidents through comprehensive WHS audits and targeted training programs, enhancing both employee well-being and operational efficiency.

Human Resources Manager Neveah Limited, Nigeria 02 / 2022 – 07/2022

Strategy & Advisory: Served as an advisor to C-Suite executives, staff, and managers on a wide range of HR-related initiatives, programs, and issues. Developed and implemented HR strategy and plan to support business objectives, including the management of departmental budget, and resources.

Key achievements include:

• Talent Acquisition: Developed and implemented an agile recruitment framework using productivity tools. Improved employer brand and candidate experience by 87% and 93% respectively. Reduced reoccurring recruitment costs and time to hire by 74% and 65%
• Talent Management and Development: Designed and implemented a robust performance management system; increased job satisfaction and clarity by 100 %. Improved business performance by 30%. Designed a training and development plan: improved employee morale by 89% and impacted job performance by 91% in 3 months. 
• Compensation Management: Designed and implemented an equitable compensation system: Reduce employee attrition rate by 100%. Aligned performance appraisal and compensation and development. Revamp staff benefit system: increased employee engagement by 80%
• Organizational Effectiveness/Business Consulting: Activated financial literacy and cost analysis training for managers: Reduced over-budgeting and improved budget control. Managed the integration of technology through training, and retraining. Reduced operational cost by 45%
• Procurement: Reduced unplanned procurement by 32%. Redefined vendor sourcing procedures. Engage a legal team to reduce company bad debt by 45%: Effective documentation, SLA review, risk assessment.

Head, Corporate Services Chanelle Microfinance Bank Limited, Nigeria  06/2021 – 01/ 2022

People Strategy: Planned, organized, and re-engineered the people operations and brand communication departments.

Key achievements include:

• Talent Management: Reduced attrition rate by 53%. Implemented a business intervention programme: Reviewed records of employee exit interviews, organized regular employee engagement sessions, consulted with department heads and C-suite on improving the general work culture, organize regular training to reinforce company values, implemented leadership training for managers, designed periodic recognition system, review and streamlined equitable pay, 
• Improved job satisfaction by 50% and aligned key performance indicators to business objectives. 
• Strategic recruitment and talent attraction: Reviewed recruitment strategy; ensured only qualified candidates from selected industries and training were hired for strategic roles.  Reduced time to productivity by 4 months: linked pay to performance, work flexibility and improved business performance by 54%.
• Performance Management: Developed and implemented a company-wide performance management system. Kickstarted a bi-annual performance appraisal system which provided C-suite with a strategic report for recognition, promotion, employee improvement plan, reassignment, organisation competency level and training requirements. The performance management asserted a performance-driven culture, improved productivity and removed general laxity.
• Learning and Development: Led the development and implementation of L&D policies, programs, and objective setting. Liaised with unit managers to understand employee skills gaps and design HR-related learning solutions to improve and cover identified knowledge and competency gap. Developed a yearly development plan at minimal cost with great employee enthusiasm and satisfaction.
• People operations: Provided business support services to the C-suite and employees to help improve focus, remove administrative bottlenecks and delays, and optimize productivity. Advised and assisted departmental managers on the interpretation and administration of personnel policies and programs. Supervised the administration of all HR processes of an employee life cycle (attraction, recruitment, onboarding, L&D, compensation, leave management, HMO, retirement) and encouraged compliance. 
• Human Resources Innovation: Worked with the IT department to implement initiatives and automate repetitive HR functions such as recruitment, learning and development, and performance appraisal. This improved productivity by 48%, reduced response time, improved the department’s general efficiency and boosted the team’s morale.

Human Resource & Admin Manager Skooleeo Technology Limited, Nigeria  07/ 2020 – 03/ 2021 

Team Lead, Customer Care Rapid Vigil Security Limited, Nigeria  08/ 2017 – 06/2020

Customer Relationship Officer United Bank for Africa, Nigeria 05/ 2015 – 03/2017 

Executive Assistant (HR) Orbit IT and Consultancy Limited, Nigeria 08/ 2012 – 04/2015 

Administrative Assistant Benue State University, Nigeria 08/ 2011 – 07/2012 

EDUCATION

Development Studies Nov 2012 - Jul 2016

Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria In the Master of Science in Development Studies program at Benue State University, I gained expertise by delving deep into development theories, policies, and practices. This advanced my career in government, non-profits, international organizations, research, or academia. With an interdisciplinary focus, I studied development from economics, sociology, and political science perspectives.

Developing strong research abilities enabled me to make informed decisions. I tackled development challenges locally and globally, while networking with faculty, peers, and professionals. Ultimately, I contributed to sustainable development, poverty reduction, and social justice efforts.

English and International Studies Sep 2007 - May 2011

Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

My degree in English and International Studies equipped me with communication skills, cultural understanding, and critical thinking. Proficiency in English is valuable in fields like international relations. This prepared me for careers in education, publishing, public relations, marketing, government, and human resources. Overall, my studies provided diverse career opportunities and prepared me for further education.

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Diploma in Introduction to Human Resources - Continuous Professional Development, UK (Alison)
• IELTS-British Council - CEFR Level C1
• Licensed Human Resource Professional - Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Nigeria