Cathy Dunlop
Manassas
Summary
HR and Operations Leader with a strong track record in optimizing onboarding and compliance workflows. Expertise in leading cross-functional teams to enhance service delivery, improve employee experience, and ensure adherence to regulatory standards throughout the employee lifecycle.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Resources Solutions Professional
Freddie Mac
McLean
01.2023 - 12.2024
- Provided operational leadership and oversight for high-volume HR processes, partnering with Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partners, Employee Relations, Legal, Compliance, Payroll, Security, and external vendors to ensure seamless, compliant service delivery.
- Managed compliance-driven workflows with strict adherence to federal and state regulations, internal policies, and audit standards to mitigate risk.
- Led process initiatives by analyzing operational data and trends, identifying gaps, and implementing improvements that reduced risk and improved employee experience.
- Developed and maintained standard operating procedures (SOPs) and HR knowledge articles to align with evolving regulations and business needs.
- Monitored performance metrics and delivered actionable insights to senior leaders, enhancing decision-making and supporting continuous improvement.
- Acted as an escalation point for sensitive employee and operational issues, resolving matters quickly while maintaining confidentiality and compliance.
Employee Relations Advisor
Freddie Mac
McLean
08.2020 - 12.2022
- Delivered expert guidance on employment law, policy interpretation, and compliance, ensuring consistent, fair application across the organization.
- Partnered cross-functionally to streamline HR processes, enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency across departments.
- Utilized HR systems and reporting tools (Workday, ServiceNow) to track trends and analyze data, informing leadership on identified risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Supported organizational change initiatives by collaborating with stakeholders to implement new approaches and compliance standards, fostering a culture of adaptability.
Human Resources Business Partner III
All Native Group (ANG) / OBXtek
Springfield
06.2016 - 02.2020
- Led new hire onboarding operations, managing the candidate experience from offer acceptance through Day One, including background checks, I-9/E-Verify, system access, and orientation.
- Ensured onboarding processes complied with security, regulatory requirements, proactively identified risks, and implemented corrective actions to mitigate them.
- Collaborated with internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure onboarding timelines, service-level expectations, and compliance standards were consistently met.
- Developed and delivered training for managers and leaders on HR policies, EEO, compliance, and employee lifecycle processes, enhancing understanding and adherence to practices.
- Supported multi-site operations by standardizing onboarding practices across geographically dispersed locations, promoting consistency and compliance.
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
General Dynamics Information Technology
Fairfax
03.2014 - 02.2016
- Led HR initiatives in regulated environments, ensuring compliance, security controls, and audit readiness.
- Guided leaders and HR staff in complex employee lifecycle processes, enhancing operational discipline and compliance standards.
- Ensured HR system accuracy and data integrity across multiple platforms, supporting organizational objectives.
Education
Bachelor of Individualized Studies - Human Resource Management
George Mason University
Fairfax, VASkills
- HR Technology Integration (Workday, ServiceNow, HRIS)
- New Hire Operations & Onboarding Strategy
- Employment Law Compliance
- Employee Verification
- Metrics & Reporting
- Process Transformation & Continuous Improvement
- SOP Development, Training & Knowledge Management
- Core Leadership & Operational Competencies
- Cross-Functional & Vendor Leadership
- Employee Engagement
- Conflict Resolution
Timeline
Human Resources Solutions Professional
Freddie Mac
01.2023 - 12.2024
Employee Relations Advisor
Freddie Mac
08.2020 - 12.2022
Human Resources Business Partner III
All Native Group (ANG) / OBXtek
06.2016 - 02.2020
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
General Dynamics Information Technology
03.2014 - 02.2016
Bachelor of Individualized Studies - Human Resource Management
George Mason University