Cara Darr
San Marcos
Summary
Creative and people-focused HR professional with 7+ years of experience supporting employee engagement, communications, and talent operations. Skilled in organizing events, building culture across remote and in-person teams, and crafting clear communications that foster connection. Recognized for empathy, adaptability, and bringing fresh ideas that strengthen engagement and trust.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Talent Operations Associate
Wayfair
Remote
11.2021 - Current
- Organized monthly pod engagement activities for remote teams, turning small budgets into meaningful experiences that helped teammates feel connected.
- Built collaborative relationships with HR partners to resolve issues quickly while keeping employees informed in a respectful, clear way.
- Recognized by colleagues for balancing a people-first approach with results that keep projects moving.
- Drafted and distributed employee-facing communications, ensuring clarity around new or updated HR processes.
- Organized and facilitated feedback sessions following the company-wide engagement survey; analyzed input, identified actionable trends, and delivered a summary report with recommendations to senior management.
Employee Resource Center Associate
Wayfair
Remote
03.2020 - 11.2021
- Created and implemented SOPs for Leave of Absence and Unemployment processes, making stressful transitions easier for employees and managers.
- Coordinated vendor communications for unemployment services, keeping leadership updated and employees supported.
- Designed and led pod-level engagement initiatives with a monthly budget per person, strengthening culture across a fully remote team.
- Handled escalated cases with discretion and empathy, providing both resolution and reassurance.
Talent Acquisition Coordinator
Wayfair
Perris
07.2019 - 03.2020
- Partnered with HR to plan and execute holiday and recognition events for warehouse employees.
- Developed and communicated a DEI engagement project across the western U.S. region.
- Served as a point of connection between recruiters, managers, and candidates, ensuring a smooth process for all involved.
- Organized hiring events, interviews, and onboarding activities that reinforced a welcoming and inclusive experience.
Recruiter
Small Business Growth Alliance
Irvine
01.2019 - 07.2019
- Partnered with managers to understand team culture and hire candidates who would thrive.
- Maintained consistent communication with Director on recruiting priorities.
- Built rapport with candidates, ensuring they felt respected and informed throughout the process.
Skills
- Project management
- Employee relations
- Process improvement
- Data analysis
- Talent acquisition
- Employee Engagement
- Internal Communications
- Event Planning
- Candidate Experience
- Culture Building
- SOP Writing
- HR Partnerships
- Remote Team Engagement
References
- Ashley Long (717)870-2366 Wayfair - Talent Acquisition
- Mandy Wertman (609)276-2632 Wayfair - Manager/Partner
- Jessica Domaingue (508)981-9545 Wayfair - Sr. Talent Operations Associate
Timeline
Senior Talent Operations Associate
Wayfair
11.2021 - Current
Employee Resource Center Associate
Wayfair
03.2020 - 11.2021
Talent Acquisition Coordinator
Wayfair
07.2019 - 03.2020
Recruiter
Small Business Growth Alliance
01.2019 - 07.2019