Rachel Durden

About Rachel Durden

Rachel Durden is a People Director at VML, where she leads with empathy, strategic vision, and a passion for building thriving and inclusive cultures. Known for her authentic leadership and ability to connect meaningfully across teams and geographies, Rachel partners with senior leaders to drive talent strategies that fuel creativity and growth. She is recognized for blending operational excellence with a deep commitment to employee wellbeing, mentoring future leaders, and championing innovative people solutions. Rachel’s approach is rooted in trust, collaboration, and a relentless focus on impact; qualities that have made her a trusted advisor and catalyst for positive change within VML and beyond.

Experience

1. Human Resources Director

   VML

   Dec 2021 — Present

   Strategic People Leadership & Organizational Development:• Lead organizational design initiatives and succession planning efforts to build a resilient, scalable, and high-performing structure.• Partner with senior leadership, including the Chief Delivery Officer and Executive Directors, to provide strategic counsel and drive organizational effectiveness.• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of People Managers, empowering them to deliver exceptional People support and initiatives.Talent Management & Development:• Oversee and continuously refine the end-to-end talent lifecycle, including onboarding, performance management, compensation reviews, and talent mobility within VML and across the WPP network.• Coach and equip managers with the skills and resources needed to effectively motivate, develop, and lead their teams, focusing on high-potential identification, performance improvement, and career growth conversations.• Curate and leverage internal and external learning and development resources, working closely with L&D teams to create tailored programs that enhance employee skills and career trajectories.Employee Experience & Engagement:• Champion a positive and inclusive workplace culture across VML fostering collaboration, psychological safety, and a sense of belonging.• Develop and implement data-driven strategies to enhance employee engagement, recognition, and retention, utilizing insights from feedback trends, employee surveys, and exit interviews.People Operations & Compliance:• Manage complex workplace issues, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution, ensuring compliance with all applicable employment laws and regulations.• Collaborate on the design and implementation of new HR programs and initiatives, leading positive change management efforts.• Oversee specific People initiatives and support for the VML Cincinnati office, acting as the primary People Lead for that location.

Education

• Covington Latin School

  High School

  2004 — 2008

• Northern Kentucky University

  Bachelor’s Degree, Communication and Psychology

  2009 — 2013

Skills

• Marketing
• Inventory Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Leadership
• Sales Management
• Management
• Team Building
• Marketing Strategy
• Taleo
• Microsoft Office
• Sales
• Employee Engagement
• Logistics
• Training
• New Business Development
• Behavioral Interviewing
• Phr
• Onboarding
• Social Media
• Namely
• Forecasting
• Recruiting
• Emotional Intelligence
• Communication
• Employee Relations
• Strategic Planning
• Human Resources
• Linkedin Recruiter
• Customer Service
• Logistics Management
• Employee Recognition
• Talent Management
• Microsoft Excel