MARY WAINAINA
SWINDON,Wiltshire
Summary
15+ Years' Experience at Senior Management Level, serving as a seasoned people & culture expert & Coach with extensive experience developing improved corporate policy and strategy. Adept in motivating high-performing and compliant HR teams. Proven track record of improving staff engagement, performance and retention for enhanced business success through well thought out and creative employee engagement strategies and programs. Focused business executive partner with an impressive track record in collaborative, cross-functional teamwork within high-pressure environments.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certificate
1
1
Licence
Work History
Group Human Resources Director
Smart Applications Group Ltd
Nairobi, Kenya
05.2019 - Current
- Directed employee engagement programs that helped employees feel valued, respected, and supported leading to increased morale and engagement index from 37 to 90
- Developed successful HR strategies by implementing employee-centric policies and programs
- Led recruitment campaigns for attracting high-calibre talent reducing recruitment days to 25 days
- Improved staff retention to 98% with comprehensive benefit programmes tailored to suit diverse needs
- Streamlined onboarding processes to enhance new employee experience through creation of enhanced employee journey maps
- Implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives, fostering inclusive workplace leading to winning most inclusive and diverse organization award in 2022
- Led performance management process and implemented automated system of measuring performance
- Conducted effective change management programs that delivered culture change in 5 years
- Managed complex employee relations casework including dispute resolutions and disciplinaries
- Advised managers on terms and conditions of employment, ensuring legal compliance and worked closely to deliver highly effective teams
- Fostered positive employer employee relationships through transparent communication practices using clarity 4D tools
- Mitigated organizational risk by enforcing stringent health and safety regulations
- Ensured all company policies aligned with current employment legislation
- Negotiated with trade unions to settle pay and contract disputes
- Optimized HR processes by integrating sophisticated HR information systems including introduction of HR analytics for efficient reporting and decision-making
- Established robust succession planning while preparing future leaders
- Delivered effective leadership training programmes, promoting internal talent progression with over 50% of recruitment needs filled internally
- Provided expert HR advice to line managers to tackle obstacles such as conflict resolution, pay disputes and under-performance management
- Conducted workforce planning and benchmarking to meet company needs.
Director, Finance & HR
Capital Group Ltd
Nairobi, Kenya
09.2007 - 02.2019
- Provided leadership of development, cascading, monitoring, and evaluation of Finance strategy and provided guidance on development of departmental and individual KPIs in alignment with strategy
- Optimized financial operations by implementing effective budgeting strategies saving more than 20% of operational costs
- Streamlined auditing processes for improved compliance with local and international standards
- Enhanced fiscal performance by designing efficient capital management plans
- Executed risk mitigation strategies to strengthen corporate financial standing winning capex funding of 100% debtor book
- Led negotiations for favourable business contracts and agreements
- Developed robust financial models to guide decision-making processes
- Ensured regulatory compliance through rigorous audit procedures
- Coordinated multi-departmental budget planning, ensured fiscal discipline across all units
- Developed successful HR strategies by implementing employee-centric policies including flexi-working hours and work from home
- Organized staff development programmes for enhancing individual capabilities increasing employee performance by 36%
- Analyzed salary data to ensure competitive compensation structures
- Negotiated with trade unions for settling pay and contract disputes
- Delivered effective leadership training programmes, promoting internal talent progression
- Led annual salary reviews, talent reviews, succession planning and performance management
- Conducted workforce planning and benchmarking to meet company needs
- Designed industry-leading employee engagement and recognition programmes.
Financial Accountant
Capital Group Ltd
Nairobi, Kenya
02.2005 - 09.2007
- Streamlined financial reporting processes by integrating new accounting software.
- Provided advisory services to top management for improved financial decision making.
- Enhanced transparency in financial transactions with consistent audits and compliance checks.
- Prepared quarterly budgets, contributing to cost efficiency.
- Developed robust financial models to aid in strategic planning and forecasting.
- Maintained accurate records of all company transactions, bolstering accountability.
- Assisted in preparation of year-end tax returns, reducing risk of penalties from HMRC.
- Generated detailed monthly reports on revenues and expenses for better visibility into financial results.
Sales Representative
Capital Group Ltd
Nairobi, Kenya
04.2005 - 01.2006
Credit Controller
Michael Page International
Slough, UK
02.2004 - 12.2004
Team leader - Customer care
Amazon
Slough, UK
11.2000 - 12.2003
Education
Master of Business Administration - HR
University of Nairobi
01.2009 - 05.2011
Post Graduate Diploma - HR
Institute of Human Resources Management
06.2012 - 05.2013
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) - Accounting
University of Wales
Wales 01.2000 - 05.2004
Skills
- Global Strategic HR Planning
- Employee Engagement & Experience
- Performance Metrics & Analytics
- Financial Planning & Management
- Coaching & Mentorship
- Organization Design
- Compensation & Benefits
- Learning & Development
- Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (DEB)
- Change management capability
Certification
- Certified coach by International Coach Federation
- Licenced HR practitioner
- Accredited C4D Business partner
Quote
Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
Theodore Roosevelt
Timeline
Group Human Resources Director
Smart Applications Group Ltd
05.2019 - Current
Post Graduate Diploma - HR
Institute of Human Resources Management
06.2012 - 05.2013
Master of Business Administration - HR
University of Nairobi
01.2009 - 05.2011
Director, Finance & HR
Capital Group Ltd
09.2007 - 02.2019
Sales Representative
Capital Group Ltd
04.2005 - 01.2006
Financial Accountant
Capital Group Ltd
02.2005 - 09.2007
Credit Controller
Michael Page International
02.2004 - 12.2004
Team leader - Customer care
Amazon
11.2000 - 12.2003
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) - Accounting
University of Wales
01.2000 - 05.2004
HOBBIES
- Cooking
- Travelling
- Walks
References
References available upon request.
HOBBIES
- Cooking
- Travelling
- Walks
Similar Profiles
LARRY WAMBUALARRY WAMBUA
Senior Software Engineer at Smart Applications InternationalSenior Software Engineer at Smart Applications International
Tonnie KamauTonnie Kamau
Sales Manager at Smart Applications InternationalSales Manager at Smart Applications International
Kerryn StroudKerryn Stroud
Implementation Specialist at Insurance Applications Group, Inc.Implementation Specialist at Insurance Applications Group, Inc.