Lara Merlevede
Human Resources Professional
Marsaxlokk
Summary
As Human Resources professional in middle management, my main focus is on ensuring the smooth operations of all human resource-related functions within the organization. Responsible for sourcing fit talent, recruiting, training, managing employee relations, establishing and implementing company policies, and fostering a positive work environment, I also work hand in hand with the Operations team, but also with all other cells within the company. Applying my expertise in talent management and employee development to support an ever improving structure, focused on the company's overall objectives and promoting a culture of growth and successes.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Human Resources Manager
Current Employer
2 2024 - Current
- My role - to the company in its former name and prior to the completion of a merger between 2 pharmaceutical/retail entities through the changes from all aspects of HR right up to the end of the merger project;
- My passion for making a difference - I built the department from the ground up, whilst seeing to the merger’s requirements and ensuring that there is a growing open flow between the functions from an operational viewpoint, reporting to the Board, and also tending to 62 members of staff;
- Involvement in Operations - The merger presented a whole host of challenges ranging from identifying the requirements of the local authorities and the legalities involved, the psychological preparation the staff members needed to be assisted through as the changes were quite significant, the novelty of actually having an HR person to go to, who would set structures like policies and procedures for staff follow;
- Headhunting and People Development are two of my Strengths - New roles had to be identified and candidates sourced to cater for the growth and restructure, training needed to be kicked off for the current staff;
- Ever Evolving through Experience - It was a great journey and I am ever grateful to have been asked to set the HR side of this project;
- Achievement through Passion for what I do - I reached all my KPIs set for the 6 months and enjoyed it in the process.
Head of Human Resources & Operations
HandsOn Systems
12.2022 - 1 2024
- This post once presented me with the excitement of setting up an HR Department from scratch
- The company was young, and at the stage it was in was perfect to leave my mark on it’s blueprint
- During my tenure I have not only built and maintained HR systems, recruited staff that were fit for purpose from local and markets abroad, but I have also been involved in the decision making process of restructuring main arteries of the company.
Human Resources Manager
Growth Leads
12.2021 - 12.2022
- In a young start-up company that belonged to the iGaming industry, I was engaged to set up the human resources department from the ground up
- Staff members comprised of 38 locally and another 25 to 30 employees in different countries abroad
- IGaming as an industry was new to me and although I enjoyed putting my organizational skills and experience to full capacity and watching the system work, both here and abroad, I did find that the industry presents a rather different HR experience to the rest.
HR Executive
deVere Group
11.2015 - 12.2021
- As the go-to HR officer in the Malta office (No
- Of staff 130), I was responsible for: Maintaining personnel records both electronically and as hard copies, The whole recruiting process from drafting vacancies to onboarding of candidates, Seeing to the well-being of staff as well as synergies between teams and team members, Assisting C-Level as well as management with all human resources related issues, Disciplinary steps and dismissals, Restructure of teams from proposal to being involved in the implementation, One-to-ones as part of an effective employee retention programme.
Personal Assistant
Quality Foods Limited
11.2014 - 11.2015
- Managing the MD’s calendar HR matters and the planning and implementation of restructure across the company
- The restructure was required to allow growth from a small, family-run business in a very competitive market, Assisted visiting Consultants in planning, assessing and implementing radical changes, whilst sourcing and seeing through relevant training to assist the members of staff weather the period of change, Managed the administration and front office team, flanked by a supervisor whom I later nominated for the post of Head of Department.
Personal Assistant to the CEO and COO (Part-time)
Zodiac Advisory Services
10.2013 - 11.2014
- Assisting the CEO and COO in the management of the firm, Dealing with foreign clients, Managing the office from an administrative aspect, Assisting in human resource matters, including staff training, Organizing seminars and corporate events, Making necessary arrangements for Board meetings and similar events, Drawing up company procedures and communicating them informatively to relevant members of staff, Dealing with suppliers, Assist in marketing and branding projects and activities.
Personal Assistant to the Managing Director
Security, Property & Jewelry Company
11.2008 - 06.2009
- Managing the MD’s diary, Organizing various meetings and participating therein, Setting up a system for company procedures and another for document traceability, Compiling of daily ad-hoc reports, Managing correspondence, Handling MD’s calls, Assisting in the general management of the company, Assisting in the running of the company from an administrative point of view.
Administrative Assistant to management & Senior Management
Alf Mizzi & Sons
09.2000 - 11.2005
- Organizing various meetings and taking Minutes, Managing an electronic calendar (Business Tracker / Lotus Notes), Managing a vast number of periodic and ad-hoc reports, Compiling Power Point presentations, Managing correspondence, Handling customer care, Assisting in product launches and product knowledge sessions to Sales Representatives, Filing
Company Secretary
Lino Debono
10.1998 - 08.2000
- Assisting the three Company Directors and General Manager, Dealing with 30 international companies, Placing orders for stocks, Marketing and promotional material, Ensuring that the outlets had updated product ranges and price-lists, Making necessary arrangements for foreign supplier visits
Assistant to Head of Media Department
BPC International Ltd
07.1991 - 11.1998
Education
Cost Reductions (effectiveness over CostCutting) -
Society Education
07.2015 -
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Studies - undefined
University of Malta
10.2012 - 05.2014
Managing Information, managing markets, managing people, managing competence - undefined
Malta Institute of Management
07.2002 -
Professional Training on Minute Taking - undefined
Misco
06.2002 -
French Language - undefined
Centre Universite Economie Education Permanente
02.2006 - 05.2006
English Language - undefined
English Speaking Board – Malta
04.1985 -
Skills
Human Resources Operations
Employee Relations
Performance Appraisals
Organizational Development
Enhancing Organizational Culture
Global HR experience
Retention Strategies
Employment Law
Problem-Solving
Onboarding, Training, and Development
Time Management
Decision-Making
Self Motivation
Effective Communication
Active Listening
Team building
Analytical Thinking
Management Support
Performance monitoring
Training Needs Analysis
Conflict Resolution
Policy Improvement Recommendations
Negotiation Tactics
Improving Organizational Standards
Forecasting Employment Needs
Personal Information
Nationality: Maltese
Languages
Maltese
English
Trekking, Reading, Travelling
Trekking gives me time-out from daily life and gets me in touch with nature and myself, reading broadens my thoughts and perspectives, and travelling gives me an opportunity to discover new experiences away from my environment.
Timeline
Head of Human Resources & Operations
HandsOn Systems
12.2022 - 1 2024
Human Resources Manager
Growth Leads
12.2021 - 12.2022
HR Executive
deVere Group
11.2015 - 12.2021
Cost Reductions (effectiveness over CostCutting) -
Society Education
07.2015 -
Personal Assistant
Quality Foods Limited
11.2014 - 11.2015
Personal Assistant to the CEO and COO (Part-time)
Zodiac Advisory Services
10.2013 - 11.2014
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Studies - undefined
University of Malta
10.2012 - 05.2014
Personal Assistant to the Managing Director
Security, Property & Jewelry Company
11.2008 - 06.2009
French Language - undefined
Centre Universite Economie Education Permanente
02.2006 - 05.2006
Managing Information, managing markets, managing people, managing competence - undefined
Malta Institute of Management
07.2002 -
Professional Training on Minute Taking - undefined
Misco
06.2002 -
Administrative Assistant to management & Senior Management
Alf Mizzi & Sons
09.2000 - 11.2005
Company Secretary
Lino Debono
10.1998 - 08.2000
Assistant to Head of Media Department
BPC International Ltd
07.1991 - 11.1998
English Language - undefined
English Speaking Board – Malta
04.1985 -
Human Resources Manager
Current Employer
2 2024 - Current