Sheila Nevarez
VP Of HR Operations
Chicago,IL
Summary
Dynamic senior HR leader with over seven years of experience in payroll oversight, benefits administration, employee relations, and multi-state HR compliance for diverse clients across the United States. Expertise in aligning HR initiatives with business objectives, fostering high-performing remote teams, and driving operational excellence. Proven track record of building scalable processes and ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local regulations (FLSA, FMLA, ACA, EEO, OSHA) while delivering strategic solutions that facilitate organizational growth. Proficient in various HRIS platforms including ADP Workforce Now, Paylocity, Paycom, iSolved, Alliance HCM, Heartland Payroll, and Toast, excelling in fast-paced and distributed environments.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Vice President of HR Operations
Restaurant HR Group
06.2025 - Current
- Provide executive oversight of HR operations across multiple client-focused teams spanning the Pacific Coast to the East Coast; serve as a “coach of coaches” for HR leaders and support scalable organizational growth in a remote environment.
- Lead hiring, onboarding, development and succession planning for HR teams; align promotion and compensation decisions with company goals and individual performance.
- Oversee HR operations for over 50 clients generating over $325 K in monthly revenue, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency across 32 states.
- Drive operational excellence, process improvement and resource development to ensure consistent delivery of HR, payroll, benefits, employee relations, training and compliance support for clients in a multi-state environment.
- Monitor client satisfaction and retention metrics; collaborate with business development and instructional design leaders to enhance engagement, develop standardized processes and deliver scalable training programs that meet state-specific requirements.
- Enhance company profitability by implementing strategic business plans and optimizing operational processes.
- Partner with the CEO, CFO and CDO to prepare the organization for continued growth and future-ready operations.
Director of HR Operations
Restaurant HR Group
06.2023 - 06.2025
- Managed a team of up to 10 HR leaders; provided mentorship, conducted performance evaluations and fostered a collaborative, high-performance culture.
- Collaborated with executive leadership to develop and execute a comprehensive operations strategy; introduced process improvements and system enhancements—including ADP Workforce Now configuration updates and HRIS integrations—to streamline HR and payroll operations.
- Ensured compliance with federal, state and local employment laws (e.g., FLSA, FMLA, ACA, EEO) by monitoring policies, conducting I-9 and file audits, maintaining handbooks and postings, and training staff; implemented risk management controls to safeguard sensitive data.
- Led cross-functional projects with internal stakeholders and external vendors to enhance HRIS functionality, optimize onboarding and training programs and deliver integrated solutions for clients.
Senior HR Manager
Restaurant HR Group
01.2022 - 06.2023
- Oversaw HR operations for several clients across multiple states, supervising HR managers and specialists in delivering payroll, benefits, compliance and employee relations services.
- Standardized policies and procedures across client accounts; introduced dashboards in ADP WFN and Excel to track service delivery, compliance deadlines and client satisfaction.
- Partnered with leadership to identify training needs and facilitate leadership development programs through the Restaurant HR & Leadership Academy.
- Resolved escalated employee relations issues and advised clients on complex compliance matters such as FMLA, ADA, wage-and-hour laws, leave management and unemployment claims; drafted employee communications and policy updates.
HR Manager
Restaurant HR Group
12.2020 - 01.2022
- Managed day-to-day HR, payroll and benefits administration for multiple small-business clients across several states, ensuring compliance with federal, state and local regulations and labor-law posting requirements.
- Developed and updated employee handbooks, job descriptions and HR policies; maintained compliance documentation (postings, acknowledgments) and communicated changes to clients, ensuring proper recordkeeping.
- Processed payroll transmissions and maintained HRIS data using ADP Workforce Now for new hires, promotions and terminations; coordinated open enrollment, benefits programs and Workers’ Compensation and unemployment claim.
- Provided guidance on employee relations matters, including performance management, disciplinary actions and terminations; created and delivered virtual training sessions (onboarding, engagement, leadership skills) and drafted employee communications to improve HR practices.
HR Generalist
Restaurant HR Group
08.2020 - 12.2020
- Supported HR managers in delivering payroll and benefits services; managed the employee data lifecycle (new hires, transfers, promotions, terminations) in ADP WFN.
- Assisted with compliance audits, criminal background checks and training requirements; ensured clients adhered to minimum wage, overtime, harassment prevention and labor-law posting requirements.
- Coordinated health insurance and benefits administration, including ACA compliance, COBRA, FSA/HSA contributions and leaves of absence.
- Worked closely with clients on performance management and employee communications, helping to resolve issues promptly and professionally.
Payroll & Benefits Specialist
Restaurant HR Group
02.2019 - 07.2020
- Processed multi-state payroll and benefits administration for restaurant clients; ensured accurate and timely processing of new hires, promotions, terminations and employee changes using ADP WFN and Paylocity.
- Responded to client and employee inquiries regarding pay, benefits, PTO and garnishments; ensured compliance with wage-and-hour regulations and helped mitigate risks.
- Managed health insurance enrollment, COBRA, Workers’ Compensation and unemployment claims; guided clients through open enrollment and benefits decision-making.
- Assisted with I-9 audits, employment verifications and maintenance of employee files within HRIS/payroll systems.
Staff Accountant
TCA Holdings LLC
11.2017 - 02.2019
- Prepared monthly and annual financial statements for four athletic clubs; analyzed variances and presented findings to management.
- Reconciled general ledger accounts and bank statements; oversaw accounts payable and payroll processing.
- Filed purchase and use taxes, maintained fixed-asset schedules and assisted department managers with budgeting and forecasting.
- Analyzed business operations, costs and revenue to project future performance and provided recommendations to reduce risk.
Certified Advanced Tax Preparer
Robert Morris University Illinois
02.2017 - 04.2017
- Prepared tax returns for individuals and families using IRS Free-File software; interviewed clients and ensured accurate data collection.
- Provided translation services and explained tax requirements to Spanish-speaking taxpayers.
Corporate Administrative Assistant
Gibsons Restaurant Group
06.2015 - 11.2017
- Supported accounts payable and receivable functions for multiple restaurants, processing invoices, vendor maintenance, deposits and chargebacks.
- Produced weekly sales reports, reconciled inventory discrepancies in Compeat software and resolved financial discrepancies with management.
- Provided administrative support to the General Counsel, including scheduling, correspondence, document review and investor communications.
- Coordinated hiring and supervised two part-time employees; maintained organized records and improved office efficiency.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Robert Morris University Illinois
Chicago, IL01.2017
Skills
- HR operations & compliance (multi-state)
- Payroll & benefits administration
- ACA compliance and administration
- Employee relations & conflict resolution
- Leadership development & coaching
- HRIS & systems optimization
- Strategic planning
- Process improvement
- Critical thinking
- Recruiting and hiring
- Policy and procedure development
- Client relationship building
Timeline
Vice President of HR Operations
Restaurant HR Group
06.2025 - Current
Director of HR Operations
Restaurant HR Group
06.2023 - 06.2025
Senior HR Manager
Restaurant HR Group
01.2022 - 06.2023
HR Manager
Restaurant HR Group
12.2020 - 01.2022
HR Generalist
Restaurant HR Group
08.2020 - 12.2020
Payroll & Benefits Specialist
Restaurant HR Group
02.2019 - 07.2020
Staff Accountant
TCA Holdings LLC
11.2017 - 02.2019
Certified Advanced Tax Preparer
Robert Morris University Illinois
02.2017 - 04.2017
Corporate Administrative Assistant
Gibsons Restaurant Group
06.2015 - 11.2017
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Robert Morris University Illinois