Job title: HR director
Company: Alltel Mortgage Solutions & Alltel Financial Services (EMEA)
Job responsibilities
A broad range of aims, including: to ensure that agreed policies and budgets are achieved according to the strategy and business plan; develop strategy, policy, personnel and other systems; and put the CEOs mandates into action.
Previous jobs
Head of HR, Bradford & Bingley Building Society.
What attracted you to HR?
The idea of developing people to their full potential which is also very satisfying for the individual and the company. I like the idea that it improves company performance.
What factor has had the most impact on your current role?
The potential to develop and learn about international HR across Europe and the US.
What are the key skills that you need to succeed in your current role?
Interpersonal and influencing skills. To be able to understand the company requirements and business needs and how this can be met and improved upon by effective HR procedures.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Enabling the organisation to develop and use its HR assets to ensure customer satisfaction with service and expertise.
What do you least enjoy about your job?
Not being able to switch off. I am always looking at ways to improve efficiency.
What has been your greatest achievement in work?
Starting from a fairly lowly personnel role to directing an HR function that is well recognised for supporting the business.
Who has been the greatest influence on your work?
Previous HR director, Kevin Flanagan, who taught me the importance of making sure HR was business-focused.
What advice would you give to people starting out in a HR career?
Understand the business youre in and tailor HR services to what will be seen as making a contribution to the bottom line.
What is the most important contribution that HR makes to business?
Effectively using the HR resource and developing peoples expertise and talent to improve business performance.
Which business person do you admire most?
David Ulrich for being specific about what HR can offer and tailoring a strategy for HR to succeed and deliver extra benefits to company performance.