I help founder-led and scaling companies build compensation and HR systems that support growth, protect margins, and reduce risk.
With over 25 years of experience in executive search, compensation strategy, and HR advisory, I work directly with founders and leadership teams who need senior-level guidance without hiring a full-time HR executive.
I hold four senior certifications:
**Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)
**Certified Executive Compensation Professional (CECP)
**SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources)
**GPHR (Global Professional in Human Resources)
My work is especially valuable for companies moving from “informal and reactive” to structured and scalable.
**Compensation Strategy & Pay Architecture
**Market benchmarking and true-market analysis
**Salary band design and internal leveling
**Incentive and bonus plan development
**Executive and leadership compensation modeling
**Equity and long-term incentive guidance
**Pay equity and internal alignment reviews
I help companies answer critical questions such as:
Are we paying competitively — and sustainably? How should we structure incentives as we grow? What is a defensible compensation range for this role? How do we align pay with performance and profitability?
Fractional HR & Growth Advisory
**Multi-state compliance and wage/hour guidance
**Performance management structure
**Organizational design and role clarity
**Policy development and risk mitigation
**Hiring strategy and workforce planning
Clients typically engage me when:
**They are growing quickly and need structure
**Compensation decisions are becoming more complex
**They want senior HR guidance without adding executive overhead
**They need clarity before funding, expansion, or scaling
My approach is practical, data-driven, and business-focused. I understand that every compensation decision impacts margin, retention, and long-term sustainability.
Available for project-based work or ongoing advisory relationships.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation
Recruiting
Human Resource Management
LinkedIn Recruiting
Candidate Sourcing
Staff Recruitment & Management
Candidate Interviewing
Contract Negotiation
Executive Search
Strategy
Process Improvement
Company Policy
Lisa D.
Loudon, Tennessee
$200/hr
5.0
11 jobs
TOP 3% OF HR TALENT ON UPWORK | RECOGNIZED AS A TOP CORPORATE ADVISOR
I help companies solve complex compensation, total rewards, M&A, and HR challenges - combining senior-level strategy with hands-on execution.
With more than 25 years of HR leadership and consulting experience, I partner with founders, CEOs, CFOs, boards, and HR leaders who need practical, defensible solutions, not generic templates or one-size-fits-all recommendations.
My areas of expertise include:
• Compensation strategy, market benchmarking, executive compensation
• Annual bonus plans, sales incentives, retention programs, and
• Long-term incentives, including phantom equity, SARs, and UARs
• Mergers, acquisitions, and spin-offs, M&A HR due diligence and integration
• Fractional CHRO and senior HR advisory support
• HR compliance, policies, handbooks, and scalable HR infrastructure
• Employee relations, workplace investigations, workforce planning, performance management
• Benefits and total rewards strategy, HR analytics, and HRIS selection and implementation
I have worked with organizations ranging from emerging startups to established employers across financial services, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, education, eCommerce, nonprofits, and professional services. That breadth allows me to identify what will work for your organization, anticipate potential risks, and translate best practices into solutions that fit your business model and stage of growth.
Clients choose to work with me because I offer:
• Top Rated Plus status - proven high quality service and expertise
• More than 25 years of progressive HR leadership and consulting experience
• PHR, CEBS, CMS, and RPA professional credentials
• Strong compensation modeling, Excel, analytical, and executive communication skills
• Direct, candid, and practical recommendations
• The ability to move seamlessly from strategy and design through implementation and completion
I am comfortable stepping into complex, sensitive, or high-visibility projects that require sound judgment, clear communication, and senior-level expertise. I can serve as a strategic advisor, an extension of your leadership team, or the hands-on consultant responsible for completing the work.
Need help with a compensation, total rewards, M&A, or strategic HR initiative?
Send me a message or book a consultation. I will quickly assess your needs, determine whether I am the right fit, and recommend the best path forward.
Compensation & Benefits
HR & Business Services
Recruiting
Workday
Employee Relations
Namely
Organizational Development
Total Compensation Structuring
Elearning LMS Consulting
Human Resources Analytics
Human Resource Information System
Leadership Coaching
Career Coaching
Startup Consulting
Employee Engagement
Emily B.
Harrison, Tennessee
$65/hr
5.0
55 jobs
With over 20 years of progressive experience in Human Resources Management across industries like healthcare, manufacturing, customer service, and automotive assembly, I have been a part of both greenfield and brownfield startups as well as managed established HR departments. I believe Human Resources is most effective when working in partnership with all other departments. My expertise includes Employee Relations, Compensation Management, Organizational Development, Policy and Handbook writing and review, Engagement Surveys, Investigations, and fostering morale and teamwork.
Compensation
Organizational Behavior
Employee Engagement
Policy Writing
Employee Communications
Compensation Report
Company Policy
Human Resources Compliance
Benefits
Payroll Accounting
Roger P.
Seattle, Washington
$45/hr
5.0
2 jobs
HELLO!!! My name is Roger, and I help CEOs, founders, and executive teams build disciplined, scalable, and compliant organizations. I specialize in HR governance, operations stabilization, workforce strategy, organizational design, project execution, and remote online notarization. I support companies that need structure, clarity, and stronger internal controls, and I deliver systems that reduce risk, improve accountability, and create predictable outcomes.
I bring more than 20 years of experience across multi‑state, multi‑entity, and international environments, including the US, UK, EU, India, and the Caribbean. My background includes senior HR leadership, enterprise operations, compliance governance, strategy execution, and cross‑functional project management. I have served as Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Fractional CHRO, and Senior HR Consultant, supporting organizations through periods of growth, transition, and operational complexity.
I build operating models that integrate people systems, HR governance, payroll accuracy, benefits compliance, IT modernization, facilities readiness, and executive alignment. My work strengthens internal controls, improves documentation standards, and creates the execution discipline organizations need to scale. I support leaders who want structured systems, clear expectations, and reliable follow‑through.
**HR & Operations Expertise**
I provide senior‑level support across:
HR Governance & Compliance
Workforce Planning & Organizational Design
HRIS Administration & Data Accuracy
Payroll Stabilization & Benefits Compliance
Employee Relations & Sensitive Workplace Situations
Performance Management Systems
Compensation Strategy & Job Architecture
SOP Development & Operational Controls
Manager Training & Leadership Development
Cross‑Functional Project Management
Executive Strategy Execution & Founder Alignment
HR Department of One Buildout
Multi‑state HR compliance
I create structure where teams need clarity, and I build systems that help leaders operate with confidence.
**HR Content Development & Toolkits**
I develop professional HR toolkits, manager guides, SOPs, policies, and training materials. My work includes:
Manager communication guidance
Hiring and interview compliance
Performance review systems
Compensation and merit criteria
Employee relations frameworks
Sensitive situation protocols
Termination best practices
Accommodation and mandatory reporting guidance
Multi‑state compliance notes
HR Department of One playbooks
Leadership development content
My content is practical, plain‑language, compliant, and ready for branding.
***Fractional Project Management & Operations Leadership****
I support organizations that need structured project leadership. I build:
Project plans
Milestones
Accountability matrices
Risk assessments
Communication plans
Cross‑functional coordination
Vendor management
Scope control
Change management documentation
I help teams stay aligned, organized, and on schedule.
**Credentials**
SHRM‑SCP/SPHR
Executive Master in HR – Cornell
MS in HR – Excelsior
MBA – Johns Hopkins
Google Project Management Certificate
Google Data Analytics Certificate
Payroll, Compensation, and Change Management Certifications
**What Clients Can Expect**
Clear communication
Professional documentation
Strong compliance alignment
Practical, manager‑friendly guidance
Executive‑level judgment
Structured systems
Reliable follow‑through
High‑quality deliverables
Multi‑state accuracy
Confidentiality and professionalism
I support organizations that need a senior HR partner, an operations stabilizer, a project leader, or a remote notary they can trust.
If you need HR governance, operations structure, project execution, or remote notarization, I’m here to support you.
Compensation & Benefits
Human Resources Strategy
Human Resources Consulting
Compensation Report
Total Compensation Structuring
Salary & Benefits Benchmarking
Salary Survey
Job Evaluation
Job Description
Organizational Plan
Organizational Design & Effectiveness
Organizational Development
HR Policy
Succession Planning
Policy Development
Change Management
HR & Business Services
Process Improvement
Employee Onboarding
People Management
Hussain A.
Lilburn, Georgia
$100/hr
4.8
61 jobs
Hi, my expertise is creating or improving compensation practices. Be it pay equity, external benchmarking, compensation plans, job architecture or incentive plans, I am the expert.
I love problem solving using analysis and deep subject matter expertise. I am reliable and based in US, you can hold me accountable.
I can help you get rid of the compensation project from your to do list, just like all my previous clients.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation
Data Analysis
Microsoft Excel
Google Sheets
Linear Regression
Visual Basic for Applications
Google Forms
Spreadsheet Automation
Data Modeling
Excel Macros
Total Compensation Structuring
Spreadsheet Software
Microsoft Excel PowerPivot
Automation
Sommer L.
Fallbrook, California
$99/hr
5.0
90 jobs
Expert-Vetted (Top 1% on Upwork) HR consultant. Over $400K delivered for 70+ small and growing businesses on multi-state compliance, fractional HR leadership, and HR build-outs from zero. 25+ years experience, SPHR + SHRM-SCP, 100% Job Success.
You’ve built a successful business; now you need the infrastructure to protect it. As an Upwork Expert Vetted consultant, we provide SMB founders and leadership teams with an essential HR foundation and strategic support of a full-time executive at a fraction of the cost.
Stop worrying about HR risks and compliance pitfalls. We provide the HR expertise and hands-on support growing businesses need to scale safely and efficiently. We deliver trusted, fractional HR solutions that save you time, money, and stress.
Whether you are a 2-person startup or a 100-person scaling enterprise, we help you bridge the gap between getting by and operating at scale.
🚀 Why Clients Partner With Us:
* Expert-Vetted (Top 1% on Upwork) HR consultant
* 25+ Years of HR Mastery: Specialized in California and and multi-state laws
* 100% Job Success - proven track record of delivering results
* Fractional Model: Senior level expertise without the six figure salary
* Top Sr. HR Certifications - SPHR and SHRM-SCP
💼 Our HR Superpower: Scalable Solutions & Risk Mitigation
We solve problems and share HR expertise that small and scaling companies often lack. Our superpower is helping you identify your greatest risks and implement sustainable processes that scale with your growth. From building HR from the ground up to deconstructing current practices, we provide the strategic leadership you need without the cost of a full-time employee.
✅ Services for Your Growth Stage
Need to establish compliance, create/update your handbook, set up a payroll system, introduce benefits, or manage complex employee relations? We offer ongoing fractional and critical short-term project support.
*Compliance & Risk: CA Labor Law, Multi-state Compliance, HR Compliance Audits, Leave of Absence (FMLA, ADA), Termination Support.
*HR Infrastructure: Creating/Updating Handbooks, Developing HR Policies, Onboarding/Offboarding Processes, File/Record Keeping.
*Benefits & Tech: Employee Benefits Strategy: (ACA, Cost Containment), 401K Implementation & Compliance, HRIS/Payroll System Evaluation (Gusto, BambooHR, Paylocity, ADP).
* Fractional HR Leadership: Strategic Planning, Employee Relations, Performance Management, Custom Training Content.
Expert in Federal, California, and multi-state employment law for both in-person and remote workforces.
📞 Ready to Scale Safely?
Let's discuss your growth goals and how we can support your success. We take pride in excellent communication and response times.
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*Click the message button now to book your FREE 15-minute consultation!
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Projects we are frequently hired for:
HR Compliance Audits
FLSA Classification - 1099 vs W2
Onboarding / Offboarding Workflows
Gusto Expert Implementation
Bamboo HR
Ceridian Dayforce
Paylocity
Paychex
Quickbooks Payroll
Rippling
ADP
PEO Transition
M&A HR Due Diligence
401K Implementation
Health Plan Packages
Employee benefits
Employee Handbook and Policies
New State Registration and Compliance
Remote Work Policy
Performance Management
HR Strategic Plan
Employee Relations
Terminations
Employment Law
Job Descriptions
Company Culture
Leadership Coaching
Training and Development
New Hire Orientation
Performance Reviews
Fractional HR Director
Fractional CHRO
Human Resources Consulting
HR Consultant
Compensation & Benefits
Payroll Accounting
Procedure Development
Employee Relations
Human Resources Compliance
Compliance
Policy Development
Staff Orientation & Onboarding Materials
Employment Handbook
Employment Law
Human Resource Management
Human Resources Strategy
BambooHR
Gusto
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Depending on availability and the quality of your job post, it's entirely possible to sign up for Upwork and receive Compensation Consultant proposals within 24 hours of posting a job description.
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