MARIBEL RIVERA–LOPEZ, SPHR

214 Price Avenue Apartment D31 Narberth, Pennsylvania 19072

610.213.5564
mriveralopez@yahoo.com

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR/MANAGER

PROFILE
Multi-faceted, results-oriented Human Resources professional with comprehensive
experience demonstrating quantifiable achievements and expertise encompassing al
l facets of management and human resource generalist functions. Combines unique
blend of visionary leadership and executive business savvy with competencies to
spearhead strategic planning and execution of core staffing, operational and adm
inistrative initiatives to drive overall HR, organizational and bottom-line fina
ncial performance.
Areas of expertise encompass:
- Multi-Site Operations Management
- Employee Relations & Development
- Staff Performance Optimization
- Project Management
- Policy/Process/Systems Design
- Acquisitions
- Labor Relations
- Employment Law
- Compliance
- International HR

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
MCDONALD'S CARIBBEAN DIVISION (CURRENTLY ARCOS DORADOS LATIN AMERICA) ~ SAN JUAN
, PUERTO RICO
DIVISIONAL HR DIRECTOR/ SR. HR MANAGER ~ HR DEPARTMENT HEAD 2003–2008
- Led all aspects of divisions’ human resources management as well as payroll
administration of McDonald’s Caribbean Division, including Puerto Rico, St. Thomas,
Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Aruba, and Curacao with more than 8,000 e
mployees.
- Supported McDonald’s franchisee in developing markets of Dominican Republic,
Bahamas, St. Marten, St. Croix, and Suriname, by coordinating the HR department
with strategies based on the country’s employment laws, practices and company guide
lines.
- Provided leadership and consultation in the areas of labor relations, em
ployment law, crisis management, organizational structure design, compensation a
nd benefit structures, people development, recruitment, and overall people pract
ices.
- Developed division’s HR strategy through the 31Q Plan - “Plan to Win†and admin
ed approximately $2 million G&A.
- Represented the Caribbean division in the Latin America Human Resources
Board for McDonald’s Corporation.
- Developed, designed, and updated employment policy manuals, job descript
ions, performance development programs, including personnel forms and records.
- Administered payroll, compensation and benefit programs, including retir
ement plans, stock options, health insurance, life, and dental insurance for sta
ff and PR employees.
- Facilitated and managed performance and development programs, including
Talent Calibration tables for all employees, which focused on succession plannin
g for key positions.
- Monitored and developed seminars and workshops based on competency needs
; streamlined developmental plans in order to develop high performing staff.
- Ensured strict compliance of all employment regulations and legislation
in all markets.
- Conducted HR audits in markets within the Caribbean where McDonald’s assesse
d feasibility of operating from an employment law/ labor relations standpoint.
- Handled responsibilities for the acquisitions and non-profitable market
closings.
- Exemplified successful people portion of transition of the Caribbean div
ision from McDonald’s corporate to Arcos Dorados SA; LA stockholder’s entity in 2006-200
8, while managing to improve commitment survey results in all areas of the organ
ization.
MCDONALD'S CORPORATION ~ SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
FIELD SERVICE MANAGER – CARIBBEAN REGION 2002-2003
- Provided business consulting in the areas of sales building, profit and
operations, local marketing, real estate development, human resources, including
business affairs for the markets of St. Marten, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Domi
nican Republic.
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER ~ PUERTO RICO 1998-2002
- Rendered HR consulting and leadership in the areas of labor relations, e
mployment law, crisis management, recruitment, and overall people practices for
the Puerto Rico market.
- Planned and executed labor relations strategies for highly unionized in
and outside PR environments, and prepared all HR reports and scorecards.
- Collaborated with other markets such as Saint Thomas for people practice
s compliance auditing; Nicaragua for market opening; El Salvador for management,
crew recruitment, and market opening; Panama for labor relations strategy; and
managed acquisition of St. Maarten market.
MCDONALD'S CORPORATION ~ SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
HUMAN RESOURCES SUPERVISOR/SENIOR SUPERVISOR – PUERTO RICO 1996-1998
- Performed all related HR services related to company-owned and franchise
restaurants in Puerto Rico and other international markets.
- Executed HR aspects of the Dominican Republic and the Honduras market op
ening.
- Researched and attained legal council for the Suriname and El Salvador m
arkets, and supported the Dominican Republic and Trinidad markets in all necessa
ry areas within the HR function.

EARLIER CAREER
MCDONALD'S CORPORATION ~ SAN JUAN, PR
HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT 1995-1996
OVERLAND FOOD CORPORATION D.B.A. MCDONALD'S ~ BAYAMON, PR
OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERVISOR 1990-1995
RESTAURANT MANAGER 1987-1990
THE DEVELOPERS GROUP INC./ OVERLAND FOOD CORPORATION
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 1985-1987

EDUCATION
MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT | 2010 | 4.00 GPA
PRE MASTER’S CERTIFICATE IN HUMAN RESOURCES APPLICATIONS | 2009 | 4.00 GPA
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY | VILLANOVA, PA
SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION (SPHR)
HUMAN RESOURCES CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE | ALEXANDRIA, VA | 2009
POST GRADUATE COURSES IN PSYCHOLOGY
CARLOS ALBIZU UNIVERSITY | SAN JUAN, PR | 2004 | 4.00 GPA
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - MAJOR ACCOUNTING
UNIVERSITY OF PR | BAYAMON CAMPUS | 2001 | MAGNA CUM LAUDE
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2010 Organizational Training Course
2009 Organizational Change Course | Employee Testing Seminar | International
Human Resources Seminar
2005 Standards of Business Conduct Course
2003 McDonald’s Executive Development Program – Critical and Strategic Thinking | Cou
ncil’s PR Personnel Law Update
2002 Corporate Relations Course | Business Leadership Practices Course – McDonald’s C
orp. | Restaurant Leadership Practices Course
2001 Training Consultants Course
1996-1997; 1999; 2001; 2003; 2005; 2007 Federal and PR Labor Legislation Seminar
; Labor Legislation, Institute of PR
1999 Consulting for Win/Win Workshop, McDonald’s Corp | Team Management Training,
Towers Perrin
1998 Advanced International HR Course, McDonald’s Corp. Oakbrook, IL
1996 Basic International HR Course, McDonald’s Corp, Mexico City, Mexico

AWARDS
“20 Mejores Patronos†– Company named among the 20 Best Employers in PR for two consecu
times (2006-2008)
Recognized by the PR Restaurant Association for enhancing the image of the resta
urant industry in Puerto Rico (2007)
Best Employer Central America and Caribbean – Great Places to Work Institute (2005-2
008)
Circle of Excellence Award; Latin America – Best Employer Team Award (2006)
2003 Central America Labor Relations Team Award (2003)
Special Contributor Award – Labor Relations Strategy – McDonald’s PR (2002)
Partnering for Solutions Team Award (2002) | People Promise Award (2000)
Hurricane Georges Humanitarian Team Award (1998)

ACTIVITIES
Society of Human Resources Management National Chapter
Member of the National Association for Female Executives
Former member of the PR Restaurant Association (ASORE) Human Resources Board
Former Member of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce until 2007
TECHNICAL SKILLS
MS OFFICE SUITE | ADP PAYROLL | HR PROFILE