Ron Coverson
Pacifica
Summary
Strategic HR leader specializing in talent acquisition and workforce optimization. Skilled in implementing policies and navigating complex employee relations and union negotiations. Focused on driving organizational success through innovative solutions and data-driven insights.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Vice President of Human Resources
Cal State San Bernardino
03.2025 - Current
- Lead and direct senior management professionals in the division of human resources with a focus on workforce optimization, strategic planning, client service, and statutory compliance.
- Manage all elements of workforce planning with a focus on optimizing human capital, given the needs of the campus and budgetary considerations.
- Developed and implemented long-term strategic plans, policies, and practices to achieve divisional objectives and enhance operational effectiveness.
- Acted as division-wide expert in developing and executing strategies addressing complex labor relations issues, grievances, and employee relations matters with potential legal implications.
- Provide perspective on the impact of initiatives and make recommendations or implement decisions on issues that include operational and budgetary processes, staff FTE, finance, human resources, compensation, and space planning that have - division-wide and even campus impact.
- Establish procedures and practices that promote consistent interpretation and application of AP & HR policies, statutory regulations, and programs.
- Provide perspective on impact of CSU policies and initiatives division-wide and examine policy issues and strategic plans with both short-term and long-term perspectives.
- Provided high-level client service and responsive support to campus community on behalf of cabinet and office of president.
Assistant Dean of Academic Personnel and Human Resources
UC Berkeley School of Law
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Managed a team of HR and Academic Personnel (AP) professional staff.
- Provided leadership and strategic direction.
- Hired, evaluated and developed highly effective HR and Academic Personnel (AP) professionals. Demonstrated the ability to optimize resources, build efficiencies, and respond rapidly to highly complex challenges where solutions may not be obvious.
- Managed the employment and selection, training, development, performance management, evaluation, counseling, and discipline of assigned staff.
- Proactively engaged and advised senior management on matters concerning several functional areas, division and/or customers.
- Advised on controversial situations; conducted highly complex and varied analyses of issues or concepts; developed courses of action and identified potential implications and exposure to potential liability.
- Leveraged expertise in strategy, integration, planning, and communication, guide and advised the Dean, Associate and Assistant Deans, senior managers and supervisors on methods, approaches, and best practices for administering academic and staff personnel policies, programs and procedures.
- Worked through direct reports, counsel and advise on sensitive and difficult to resolve issues and approves remedies and potential changes to division-wide practices and procedures.
- Acted as primary contact with the law school faculty appointments committee.
- Aligned with campus Human Resources, Academic Personnel & Berkeley Regional Services to develop and lead strategies and solutions that support short and long-term division-wide goals.
- Provided strategic guidance and innovative solutions to the Dean, Associate and Assistant Deans, senior administrators, faculty, and subordinates within the university guidelines; oversees those who manage unit resources.
- Developed and implement long-term strategic plans, policies and practices to achieve divisional objectives.
- Provide perspective on the impact of initiatives and makes recommendations and implement decisions on issues (operational and budget processes, staff FTE, finance, human resources, compensation, and space planning) that have - division-wide impact.
- Led analysis teams and policy development groups to address issues and processes for the division.
- Established procedures and practices that promote consistent interpretation and application of AP & HR policies, statutory regulations, and programs.
- Provided perspective on impact of UC policies and initiatives division-wide and examine policy issues and strategic plans with both short-term and long-term perspectives.
- Served as division-wide expert in developing and executing strategies to address complex labor relations issues and grievances; settlement agreements, and employee relations issues that have significant consequences and impact up to and including legal actions.
- Worked with direct manager, other campus leadership, Central Human Resources, Academic Personnel Office, Berkeley Regional Services, and assigned staff; represents the unit in campus meetings and occasionally at system wide meetings on matters pertaining to academic and staff personnel policies and practices.
- Held a senior position in the Chief Human Resource Officers Advisory Group.
- Contributed as a member of the Campus Unit Administrators (CUA).
Senior Director of Human Resources, Talent Management and Workforce Planning
UC Berkeley
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Chief strategist/HR business leader on all aspects of talent acquisition and workforce planning.
- Rebranded human resources to a strategic talent management organization, enhancing alignment with business goals.
- Managed all aspects of talent acquisition, retention, and performance management.
- Directed salary planning, compensation, merit and reward programs.
- Led learning and development initiatives to train managers and staff on effective communication and leadership using ERP methodology and Achieve Together model.
- Consulted with senior managers to set strategic vision and accomplish business objectives according to plan.
- Collaborated with employee and labor relations to manage all aspects of employee relations, including successful collective bargaining negotiations.
- Provided guidance and clarity to managers on university policy to further administrative compliance on all matters impacting personnel.
- Engaged with Chief Human Resource Officers to share best practices and insights.
- Participated in UDAR leadership meetings to contribute to strategic discussions.
- University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR)
Strategic HR Business Executive/Regional Manager
Barrett Business Solutions, Inc.
01.2012 - 01.2019
- Chief consultant/advisor to management team on organizational development.
- Delivered strategic consultation that enhanced collaboration with management team.
- Provided expert consultation to business leaders on optimizing performance of staff.
- Developed strategic plan that restructured organization during remodel project.
- Acted as the primary business manager and HR/OD senior business partner.
- Assessed client needs to drive HR process improvements in daily operations.
- Trained and develop client managers and business leaders.
- Sourced talent and integrated into workforce solutions.
- Assessed the viability of client operation as part of a periodic gap analysis.
- Led the professional development of HR Generalists and Organizational Development professionals on our business teams.
- Contributed to peak performance management strategies at a national consulting firm.
- Provided client focused business management solutions.
Executive Director of Human Resources/Senior HR Business Partner
The America's Cup
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Worked closely with executives to provide leadership, counsel and operational support in all aspects of company culture and organizational effectiveness that drive business results.
- Managed talent acquisition, retention, and performance management processes to support organizational growth.
- Developed organizational architecture for Human Resources Department to align with company goals.
- Contributed to strategic decision-making as part of senior management team.
- Led the global start-up company process from the ground floor and created the business plan.
- Recruited employees worldwide for work in San Francisco headquarters.
- Managed all Labor Relations and Employee Relations Issues.
- Designed the employee manual, administrative guide, and established HR policy & procedures.
- Senior HR Strategist and organizational change consultant.
Director of Human Resources/Associate Athletic Director
Stanford University
01.2003 - 01.2010
- Oversaw talent acquisition, retention, and performance management to align workforce with strategic goals.
- Directed salary planning, compensation, merit and reward programs.
- Developed HR policies and procedures along with operational metrics to enhance organizational effectiveness.
- Managed all aspects of employee relations, including collective bargaining.
- Interpreted and implemented all employee and business-related contracts.
- Facilitated the adoption of all NCAA compliance guidelines impacting personnel.
- Led and managed all aspects of hiring for faculty and staff.
- Partnered with Talent Acquisition to optimize use of PeopleSoft/Oracle HRIS for streamlined recruiting processes.
- Set strategic vision and accomplished business objectives according to plan.
- Contributed to the athletic department senior management team.
Education
Ed.D Candidate - Educational Leadership
CSU San Bernadino
05-2028
Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belts - Design Methodology and Application Readiness
University of California/University of San Diego
Berkeley, CA01-2024
HR Certificate - HR/Adult Learning Theory
The Robert Mager School For Instructional Design And Adult Learning Technology
San Francisco, CA04-1992
Bachelor of Science - School of Journalism & Mass Communications
San Jose State University
MBA - Organizational Management
Univ. of Phoenix
AZSkills
- Talent acquisition
- Employee relations
- Performance Management
- Change Management
- Organizational Development
- Training development
- Compensation analysis
- Policy implementation
- Service delivery management
- Project Management
- Human resources management
- Budget administration
- Reporting oversight
- Data analytics
- Cross-functional communication
- Influencing and negotiating
- Corporate communications
- Union Negotiations
- Strategic planning
- Administrative oversight
- Union Negotiations
Timeline
Associate Vice President of Human Resources
Cal State San Bernardino
03.2025 - Current
Assistant Dean of Academic Personnel and Human Resources
UC Berkeley School of Law
01.2023 - 01.2025
Senior Director of Human Resources, Talent Management and Workforce Planning
UC Berkeley
01.2019 - 01.2023
Strategic HR Business Executive/Regional Manager
Barrett Business Solutions, Inc.
01.2012 - 01.2019
Executive Director of Human Resources/Senior HR Business Partner
The America's Cup
01.2010 - 01.2012
Director of Human Resources/Associate Athletic Director
Stanford University
01.2003 - 01.2010
Ed.D Candidate - Educational Leadership
CSU San Bernadino
Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belts - Design Methodology and Application Readiness
University of California/University of San Diego
HR Certificate - HR/Adult Learning Theory
The Robert Mager School For Instructional Design And Adult Learning Technology
Bachelor of Science - School of Journalism & Mass Communications
San Jose State University
MBA - Organizational Management
Univ. of Phoenix