Dana Nugent
London,UK
Summary
Organized and dependable HR professional with expertise in active listening, relationship building, and strategic planning. Proficient in HRIS platforms such as Workday and PeopleSoft, with a strong command of AI applications for HR. Track record of exceptional skills in project management, compliance, and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Adept at using Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite to enhance organisational efficiency. Career goals include leveraging emotional intelligence and resourcefulness to drive impactful HR initiatives.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
2017
2017
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Professional Break
Self-employed
London
2024.12 - 2026.01
- Strategic career break in preparation for our relocation to London. This period was far from a pause; it was an intentional time dedicated to personal and professional growth. It allowed me to cultivate new skills, manage complex projects, and contribute meaningfully, all while preparing for an exciting new chapter as we moved to Central London in August 2025.
- Completed 1 semester of a second Master's program at Pace University, focusing on Social Media & Mobile Marketing, which included two MBA courses: Driving Marketing Performance and Business Analytics & Statistics, alongside an MS-level course in Social Media & Mobile Marketing.
- Managed significant personal commitments, including health procedures and overseeing the complete interior design of a $4 million spec house on Fire Island. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/18-Michigan-Walk-Ocean-Bay-Park-NY-11770/443413178_zpid/
- Actively engaged with Ocean Bay Park, Fire Island community, volunteering to create digital assets for their largest fundraising event, a silent auction crucial for funding vital community projects and town amenities.
- Currently volunteering at Barnardos in Central London.
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
Squarespace
2022.03 - 2024.12
- Strategic HR leader supporting Finance, Channels & Services (sales/business development), Product, and Engineering teams, covering approximately 600 employees.
- Partnered with and coached managers on performance management, professional development planning, inclusive leadership, employee relations, and compensation planning.
- Trusted advisor in all areas of HR, including complex employee relations investigations, leaves of absence, and compensation.
- Leveraged data on attrition rates, retention risk markers, engagement, and market competitiveness to inform local talent management strategies with department executives.
- Partnered with Total Rewards and L&D to facilitate tailored learning experiences, advise on compensation philosophy, and develop new HR programs aimed at performance management and organizational health.
- Collaborated with Recruitment and FP&A teams on headcount planning, internal mobility, and driving hiring efficiencies across client groups.
- Overhauled HRBP team shared drive, Slack workflow, and "the way we work" team philosophies. This resulted in being handpicked to represent HRBPs in the planning and implementaiton of HR process and programs companywide.
HRBP, Senior Manager
The New York Times
New York, NY
2021.11 - 2022.03
- HR professional supporting the award-winning newsroom, specifically Business, Metro, National, Politics, and Washington desks, covering approximately 350 union and non-union employees.
- Trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing guidance and support while championing The Times’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy.
- Managed and resolved complex employee and labor relations issues in partnership with the legal department and labor relations to ensure regulatory compliance and reduce legal risks.
- Provided day-to-day performance enablement guidance (coaching, career development, performance feedback) to line management.
- Assessed employee climate and tracked behavioral trends using employee pulse surveys, exit interviews, and check-ins to offer appropriate solutions.
HR/People Operations Director
Postlight
New York, NY
2019.10 - 2021.07
- Sole HR professional for a growing digital strategy, engineering, and product design agency, handling all day-to-day HR responsibilities for 80+ partners and employees across the US and Lebanon. Managed a team of five Operations professionals.
- Drove organizational growth, successfully scaling the team from 65 to 100 employees in one year with minimal attrition.
- Designed, implemented, and drove company policies, including authoring numerous policies (PTO, Parental Leave, Green Card Sponsorship, etc.).
- Owned all aspects of the employee lifecycle, from best-in-class onboarding and recruitment to performance management and offboarding.
- Led recruitment, managed the candidate pipeline, and maintained a best-in-class candidate experience.
- Monitored employee engagement, executed initiatives to ensure a positive employee experience, and administered benefits (health insurance, 401(k), COBRA).
Human Resources Manager
KPMG
New York, NY
2016.02 - 2019.10
- Human Resources Manager (promoted from Senior Associate, Practice Operations)
- HR Manager (Feb 2018 – Oct 2019): Provided HR generalist support for KPMG’s largest Audit practice (NY Financial Services), supporting a population of 900 partners and employees. Provided guidance on employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, career development, and annual salary review administration.
- Senior Associate, Practice Operations (Feb 2016 – Feb 2018): Provided strategic support to the HR Partner and HR Director, managed the National Office Rotational Program, and created detailed reporting and analysis on headcount and people-related issues.
Human Resources Sergeant
US Army National Guard
Long Island, NY
2010.07 - 2015.07
- Human Resources Sergeant (HRBP equivalent)
- Served as the Human Resources Sergeant for the Battalion, responsible for all HR actions for 350+ soldiers.
- Generalist equivalent role, responsible for maintaining HRIS records and compiling necessary reports from multiple databases.
- Responsible for all phases of soldier retention issues, counseling, tracking, and exit interviews.
- Interpreted and explained human resources policies, procedures, laws, and regulations to senior leadership.
Education
Master's Degree - Human Resources Management
Pace University
New York, NYBachelor’s Degree - Media Studies
Queens College
Queens, NYSkills
Category: Professional
- Skills: Active Listening, Relationship Building, Emotional Intelligence, Deductive Reasoning, Strategic Planning, Fostering DEI, Project Management, Organization, Compliance, Resourcefulness, Calm under pressure
Category: Technical
- Skills: HRIS: Workday, PeopleSoft, Culture Amp, Lattice, Greenhouse (ATS), HR Acuity (Case Management), PEO Software (TriNet), ADP Early adopter of AI for HR
Category: Software
- Skills: Google Workspace, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Slack, Skype for Business, and Airtable
Certification
- D&I Certificate for HR – Cornell University (2020)
- Compensation Analyst Credential – Economic Research Institute (2016)
- Certificate of Management – Saint Joseph's College (2015)
Timeline
Professional Break
Self-employed
2024.12 - 2026.01
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
Squarespace
2022.03 - 2024.12
HRBP, Senior Manager
The New York Times
2021.11 - 2022.03
HR/People Operations Director
Postlight
2019.10 - 2021.07
Human Resources Manager
KPMG
2016.02 - 2019.10
Human Resources Sergeant
US Army National Guard
2010.07 - 2015.07
Bachelor’s Degree - Media Studies
Queens College
Master's Degree - Human Resources Management
Pace University