Simon Collins

About Simon Collins

I’m a people strategy and HR professional with 8+ years of experience partnering with leaders to solve complex people challenges and strengthen how organizations operate. I do my best work as part of a collaborative HR team, contributing strategically rather than working in isolation or in purely administrative roles. I’m motivated by learning, growth, and building thoughtful people solutions that actually support the business and the employee experience.My expertise sits at the intersection of business strategy, operating models, and culture. I’ve partnered closely with executives and leadership teams during periods of growth, change, and transformation, helping them move from ambiguity to clarity. From HRIS and systems implementations to leadership and critical-role hiring, workforce planning, and scalable people operations, I focus on creating structure, improving decision-making, and reducing friction across the organization.I approach HR as a true business partner. That means understanding the root cause of problems, using data and insight to guide decisions, and designing solutions that are practical, sustainable, and aligned with business priorities. I’m particularly effective in growing or evolving organizations where processes need refinement, legacy approaches need modernization, and talent strategy must keep pace with the business.I thrive in environments where HR is expected to think, challenge, and collaborate. As a teammate and leader, I value trust, sound judgment, and strong relationships. I believe high-performing, inclusive cultures are built intentionally through clear expectations, accountability, and consistent communication. My goal is to help leaders and HR teams build organizations where people can perform, grow, and stay engaged over time.I’m especially interested in roles where I can continue to develop as an HR professional, contribute meaningfully to a broader people strategy, and be part of a team that sees HR as a value driver, not just a function.

Experience

1. People and Culture Manager

   New York Sun Works

   Jul 2024 — Present · New York, NY, US

   Serves as the sole HR leader, building scalable people practices and supporting a multi-state workforce through rapid organizational growth- Led the HRIS/PEO migration (Paychex → ADP TotalSource), managing timelines and data accuracy to ensure flawless payroll, benefits, and open enrollment with zero disruption- Improves talent acquisition, filling 20+ corporate, field, and leadership roles and streamlining recruitment to enhance candidate experience and reduce onboarding ramp time- Oversees and improves all HR operations, payroll, benefits, onboarding/offboarding, compliance, compensation, and policy updates to strengthen accuracy and reduce risk- Boosts culture and engagement by introducing quarterly surveys and monthly initiatives that increases satisfaction, retention, and cross-team connection- Maintains strong regulatory compliance, managing handbook revisions, OSHA requirements, ACA filings, W-2 processing, and state-specific updates to reduce risk exposure- Enhances workplace operations by managing office logistics, vendors, and communication systems to create a smoother, more productive employee experience.

Education

• Berkeley College

  Bachelors of Business Administration, Business Administration

Skills

• Communication
• U.s. Family and Medical Leave Act (Fmla)
• Employee Handbooks
• Benefits Administration
• Strategic Human Resource Planning
• Applicant Tracking Systems
• Teamwork
• Loss Prevention
• Employment Law
• Analysis
• Micros
• Process Improvement
• Apparel
• Store Management
• Time Management
• Visual Merchandising
• Hospitality Industry
• Advertising
• Workers Compensation
• Conflict Resolution
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• Research
• Flsa
• Project Management
• Human Resources Information Systems (Hris)
• Merchandising
• Social Networking
• Event Management
• Onboarding
• Social Media Marketing
• Employee Engagement
• Recruiting
• Team Building
• Management
• Microsoft Powerpoint
• Veterans
• Employee Relations
• Trend Analysis
• Public Speaking