Mariya Nikolova

Empowered management teams through expert coaching and strategic advice, driving the successful implementation of comprehensive people programs ensuring the HR function drives business results and aligns with the overall business strategy.

• Identified and nurtured top talent within the organisation, developing a robust succession pipeline and contingency plans to proactively address potential talent gaps.
• Drove 36% increase in overall employee engagement by prioritising feedback channels and executing targeted action plans enhancing workplace morale.
• Revamped and aligned company policies to ensure regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
• Led the HR function through internal and external audits, achieving 100% compliance rate through meticulous maintenance of HR records.
• Implemented new HRIS system, resulting in enhanced data accuracy, streamlined reporting and significant time saving.
• Led annual pay review sessions, collaborating with senior leaders to drive compensation decisions grounded in performance metrics, benchmark data, job analysis, and market competitiveness, ensuring equitable and competitive pay structure.
• Enhanced performance management by introducing streamlined appraisal process, increasing the accuracy and timeline of performance evaluations, driving employee development.
• Introduced an internal communication platform, improving information flow between departments and boosting productivity and collaboration by 30%.
• Advised on ER matters, including investigations, disciplinary actions, conflict resolution, and redundancies, while evaluating risks and offering well-balanced recommendations.
• Optimised recruitment by bringing outsourced functions in house to reduce cost, overseeing the entire recruitment process from job creation to selection.
• Created a new HR onboarding process, resulting in 30% decrease in employee turnover within the first year of employment.
• Consulted managers to understand training and development needs across their functional groups to identify trends, patterns, and present recommendations as part of organisational training requirement assessment.
• Chaired a social committee to execute a range of diversity and inclusion initiatives, exemplifying a steadfast commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment.
• Coordinated various learning programmes, including Lean Training, Six Sigma, Foreign Language, and Software courses, resulting in significant improvement of employee competencies and skills.
• Participated in the Kickstart Scheme, training over 10 employees on interviewing techniques, best practices, conducting workshops, and one-on-one coaching sessions that contributed to sound hiring decisions.

Acted as first point of contact by providing the full spectrum of HR support to three hotels to achieve the operational goals by maximising employees' productivity and well-being

• Fulfilled a broad range of HR functions including recruiting and training employees, administering benefits, overseeing disciplinary actions, and managing HR records.
• Led the recruitment process by supporting hiring managers with job advertising, shortlisting, and assisting with interviews.
• Prepared job specification and designed job adverts
• Managed the onboarding process by preparing offer letters, contracts, and starter packs, creating employee files, conducting pre-employment reference checks to ensure legal compliance.
• Changed the new-hire orientation program to include all departments so new starters have exposure from day one to various company resources.
• Trained new starters in line with Hilton mission, vision, and values.
• Developed training monitoring process by keeping accurate training records to ensure all three hotels maintain a high level of training standards in accordance with Hilton's Training requirements for health and safety regulations.
• Prepared essential documentation for annual Q&A audits.
• Executed the HR administration process - updating and maintaining personal files, sick leave, annual leave, maternity, timesheet administration and storage of confidential information accordingly.
• Advised management on employee related issues such as disciplinaries and grievances in a timely and confidential manner.
• Assisted the Finance department for the smooth running of payroll procedures for over 100 employees on a monthly basis.
• Ensured all employees were registered on the payroll system (Forth Hospitality) on a timely basis.
• Managed timecard submission, salary calculations and payroll processing (overtime, bonus, deductions) to ensure accurate and efficient results.
• Managed monthly payroll by preparing payroll forms and reports.
• Coordinated the Company's Benefits Scheme.
• Partnered with Springboard Charity to promote the hospitality industry by arranging work experience for students.
• Coordinated the planning of staff social events.
• Conducted exit interviews.

Supported the HR team in a fast-paced environment by handling all employee information such as personal data management, attendance, benefits as well as screening resumes and application forms

• Maintained employee records to highest standard of accuracy.
• Coordinated phone calls, dealt with inquiries by providing information to job applicants regarding HR procedures.
• Created job specifications.
• Advertised vacancies onto job boards.
• Scheduled interviews, assisted during the selection process and organised the induction and training for new starters.
• Execute employment and academic reference checks.
• Managed company payroll by monitoring hours worked, taxes, pension contributions and timesheets.