Andreina Polanco
Geneva
Summary
Experienced Human Resources Manager with 5+ years in employee relations, talent management, recruitment, organizational design, and global mobility. Skilled in driving HR initiatives that enhance engagement, streamline operations, and support business growth. Passionate about fostering a positive workplace and aligning HR strategies with company goals.
Conscientious and compassionate human resources professional with drive for helping employers recruit, develop and retain qualified candidates. Skilled at partnering with management teams to build employee-centric cultures promoting positive morale and optimizing productivity. Motivating and positive with excellent interpersonal, coaching and communication skills.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
People & Culture Business Partner Manager
Japan Tobacco International
Geneva
03.2023 - Current
- Drive best-in-class employee experience by successfully designing, developing, and implementing agile P&C projects on a global scale.
- Key initiatives include standardizing job evaluation criteria, optimizing cost and headcount planning, and enhancing P&C processes.
- Serve as a strategic People Partner for worldwide employees in Verticalized Functions (Global Tax, Treasury, and Audit), as well as key stakeholders across markets and factories.
- Ensure timely and effective resolution of employee requests, fostering a positive workplace experience.
- Manage complex P&C initiatives, including Compensation & Rewards, Talent Management, Recruitment, Organizational Design, International Mobility, and Diversity & Inclusion (D&I), addressing the evolving needs of stakeholders.
- Oversee key annual P&C processes, including Talent Reviews, Employee Engagement Surveys, and other critical HR initiatives.
- Manage the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, offboarding, and presenting local contracts, ensuring a seamless and compliant HR process.
Regional People & Culture Manager Americas
Japan Tobacco International
01.2021 - 02.2023
- Led Regional Talent Management for the Americas region, preparing for Regional Talent Review meetings, including presentation development and system updates (Successor Pool, Talent Matrix, Status, etc.).
- Facilitated Functional & ExCom Talent Reviews by coordinating with P&C leaders, Functional VPs, and the Regional P&C VP to ensure seamless execution.
- Managed the Executive Education process for the Americas region, overseeing nomination and selection, and serving as the main liaison between Global L&D and P&C leaders.
- Oversaw regional & global development programs, collaborating with external providers, regional management, and program participants to drive leadership and skills development.
- Coordinated nominations for L&D initiatives, including assessments, mentoring, coaching, and ad-hoc training, ensuring alignment with business needs.
- Provided extensive support and guidance to new People & Culture leads across the region, fostering HR capability-building.
- Supported Americas markets in various People & Culture activities, including organizational design, recruitment, engagement surveys, and relocation, delivering strategic HR solutions as needed.
HR and Mobility Manager Americas & Western Europe
Japan Tobacco International
05.2018 - 12.2021
- Led Global Mobility strategy for Regional/Functional HR leads, Local HR teams, and assignees (International & Short-term) across the Americas region, ensuring compliance with HR policies and global best practices.
- Managed the full employee assignment lifecycle, providing strategic HR support in areas such as contract preparation, cost projections, payroll & benefits, policy adherence, exception management, and repatriation planning.
- Acted as the primary HR liaison for assignees and home/host HR teams, ensuring a seamless international employee experience while maintaining compliance with labor laws and organizational policies.
- Developed and implemented Global Mobility policies, aligning with workforce planning and talent strategy to support business objectives in new host locations and across the Americas.
- Led HR compliance efforts in immigration and visa processing, managing non-immigrant visas in the USA (H1B, L1, TN, C1D, etc.) in collaboration with our external legal team.
- Oversaw HR operations related to payroll & ‘shadow payroll’, ensuring compliance with global tax regulations and compensation structures for expatriates.
HR Mobility Specialist
AnDoAnCa
02.2017 - 02.2018
- Prepared international assignment-documentation (build-up, letter, cost estimate, transfer letter).
- Briefed Internationally Mobile Employees and International transferees on their employment terms.
- Managed, social security and immigration compliance for assignments and transfers within designated area of responsibility.
- Advised HR business partners on internal global mobility policies and external regulatory compliance for assignments within designated area of responsibility.
- Assisted Divisional, Functional and local HR in identifying and resolving complex issues and problems associated with mobile employees.
Global Mobility Specialist
Carnival Cruise Lines
05.2015 - 02.2017
- Led global mobility for crew members, managing their international assignments and relocations as expatriates.
- Managed immigration processes, including non-immigrant visas (H1B, L1, TN, C1D) and permanent residency applications in partnership with legal teams.
- Advised employees and hiring managers on immigration policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Handled I-9 re-verifications and maintained compliance records for legal and government requirements.
- Developed immigration strategies, ensuring smooth global mobility and workforce planning.
HR Specialist
Baptist Health Hospital
08.2014 - 05.2015
- Prepared & updated employment records related to hiring, transferring, promoting and termination.
- Explained Human Resources policies, procedures, laws and standards to new and existing employees.
- Ensured new hire paperwork was completed and processed correctly.
- Informed job applicants of job duties, responsibilities, benefits, schedules, working conditions, promotion opportunities, etc.
- Processed all personnel action forms and ensured proper approval.
- Controlled the hiring process for travel nurses, which includes coordinating job posts, reviewing resumes, and performing reference checks.
- Managed employment life cycle including scheduling interviews, pre-employment paperwork, and new-hire orientation.
HR Global Mobility
Schlumberger
06.2013 - 06.2014
- Managed immigration and relocation documentation, including visas, work permits, permanent residency, offshore passes, and employment attestations.
- Maintained immigration/visa records in compliance with legal and corporate requirements.
- Prepared employment-related letters (invitations, verifications, and appointments) in line with immigration regulations.
- Collaborated with the relocation team to ensure seamless international employee transfers.
- Handled sensitive employee data using SAP HRIS while ensuring confidentiality.
- Supported line management with various HR tools and processes.
- Coordinated the hiring process, overseeing pre-employment screening, travel, relocation, security clearances, and visa coordination.
Education
Human Resources & Business Administration -
Florida International University
Miami, Florida 05.2009 - 04.2013
Skills
Leadership
Collaborative teamwork
Work Ethic
Problem-Solving
Human resources
Personal Information
Nationality: German American
Certification
Swiss Employment Law
Timeline
Swiss Employment Law
02-2025
International Social Security
02-2025
Business Immigration
02-2025
People & Culture Business Partner Manager
Japan Tobacco International
03.2023 - Current
Regional People & Culture Manager Americas
Japan Tobacco International
01.2021 - 02.2023
HR and Mobility Manager Americas & Western Europe
Japan Tobacco International
05.2018 - 12.2021
HR Mobility Specialist
AnDoAnCa
02.2017 - 02.2018
Global Mobility Specialist
Carnival Cruise Lines
05.2015 - 02.2017
HR Specialist
Baptist Health Hospital
08.2014 - 05.2015
HR Global Mobility
Schlumberger
06.2013 - 06.2014
Human Resources & Business Administration -
Florida International University
05.2009 - 04.2013
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