Kai Milles
Reston
Summary
Human Resources professional with extensive experience leading sensitive employee relations investigations across multi-state and international operations. Proven ability to consult with executive stakeholders, analyze casework trends, and implement strategic recommendations, enhancing organizational culture and employee trust.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Global Corporate Employee Relations Investigator
Amazon
Herndon
10.2023 - Current
- Investigate highly sensitive HR and Employee Relations issues, including: Conducting complainant, witness and subject employee interviews; Analyzing data from various internal systems; Case adjudication; Proposing remedial action based on investigation findings; Production of completed investigation documentation.
- Manage and investigate overseas investigation cases: Germany, United Kingdom, Australia.
- Independently manage assigned casework, bringing investigations to closure rapidly and definitively.
- Analyze aggregate casework data to identify issue trends and opportunities for proactive issue mitigation.
- Consult and collaborate with business line upper executive stakeholders, Corporate ER teams, Legal teams, and 3rd Party Vendors on complex employee investigations.
- Analyze casework trends and produce strategic recommendations to the business to proactively address systemic issues.
- Leadership & Mentorship: Scaled departmental expertise by onboarding and mentoring new investigators, reducing time-to-proficiency for incoming cohorts.
- Technical Product Ownership: Partnered with GCER to develop an internal web platform, streamlining resource access and improving workflow efficiency for investigators globally.
Corporate Employee Relations Investigator
Amazon
North Palm Beach
01.2023 - 10.2023
- Integrated into the Corporate ER team in February 2023, and immediately transitioned into handling full life-cycle investigations involving salaried employees ranging from mid-level to upper management (Level 5 – Level 8). employees, with the inclusion of Directors and VP level staff.
- Established corporate level relationships with employees across business lines.
- Provided consistent guidance, and support to peers, HRBP’s, and line management involving investigations, policies, and recommended outcomes.
- Continued involvement with Amazon’s Mentorship Program with mentoring new and current employees.
- Monitoring statistics, and trends aligned with specific business lines, partnering with HRBP’s to deliver metrics/results to Director level management.
- Engagement with line HRBP’s, and Legal involving investigation statuses, outcomes, recommendations, and potential conflicts involving potential high-level risk allegations and claims.
Employee Relations Investigator
Amazon
Ashburn
11.2020 - 01.2023
- Experienced investigator involved with full-cycle investigations to include salaried, and hourly employees located in the US and overseas.
- SME for new investigators and line Human Resources Business Partners (HRBP’s) for guidance, support, and recommended outcomes.
- Assisted with the expansion of the ERCI team from approximately 15 employees to 72 investigators through interviews, mentoring, and a newly established internal 'Buddy-Program.'
- Certification obtained for completion of Managing Great Hiring Decisions (MGHD) program to become internal Amazon interviewer; participated in numerous candidate interviews and interviewee debriefs (POD’s) resulting in offer letters across Employee Relations Investigator business lines.
- Actively engaged, and established partnerships with business leaders, Human Resources Business Partners (HRBP’s), PXT/HR4HR employees, ERCI team members, Legal, and Ethics staff.
- Acted and involved as a mentor with the Amazon Mentorship program.
- Active initial team member of the ERCI Knowledge Hub development, implementation, and delivery across HR/ER business lines.
Sr. Employee Relations Advisor
Freddie Mac
McLean
07.2019 - 07.2020
- Oversight of Employee Relations escalations and investigations across multiple divisions and groups: Single Family Business, Multi-Family, Information Technology, Investments and Capital Markets.
- Collaborated and recommended outcome resolutions with Corporate Legal pertaining to high-risk cases to alleviate potential corporate and individual ramifications based on variable outcomes.
- Worked closely with all levels of management to ensure appropriate steps, actions and outcomes are managed pertaining to all HR and ER related matters.
- Handled complex and high visibility Employee Relations issues involving conflict resolutions, performance management, harassment, retaliation, discrimination, misconducts, RIF’s, and position eliminations.
- Coached managers to address employee matters following corporate guidelines, internal policies and state laws to mitigate potential risks.
Human Resources/Employee Relations
Alion Science and Technology
McLean
01.2019 - 11.2019
- Led HR operational functions across employee relations, performance management, government clearance reviews, and internal data system enhancements — driving process improvements across all areas.
Associate, Employee Relations/Corporate Investigations
Booz Allen Hamilton
McLean
04.2017 - 12.2018
- Led internal investigations across all business lines and accounts to include conduct, performance, discrimination, retaliation, workplace ethics, etc.
- Collaborated and made recommendations to aligned attorneys, leadership and Human Resources Advisors pertaining to case outcomes and potential disciplinary actions.
- Provided ER subject matter expertise and guidance to all levels of management and effectively consult with local and US based business leaders.
- Active member of the internal Missing Persons Investigative Team interfacing with local authorities, internal security and cyber groups, and Insider Risk Management Program.
Sr. Professional Employee Relations Specialist, HR Shared Services
GDIT (former CSRA, Inc.)
Chantilly
08.2011 - 03.2017
- Investigated employee complaints and disputes; documented and implemented disciplinary actions and recommended resolutions. Engaged with senior-level management, corporate staff, and legal counsel to provide investigation outcomes and disciplinary actions.
- Provided consulting, guidance, and investigation recommendations to business line management regarding investigation outcomes.
- Counseled management and employees regarding the interpretation and application of human resources policies, programs and issues.
- Served as ER consultant, managing incident areas for employees in U.S. and foreign countries to ensure consistent application of policies.
- Conducted reviews of Employee Relations policies, practices and procedures to ensure uniformity of application and compliance with company policies.
- Conducted internal audits of Employee Relations issues, analyzing employee turnovers, hirings, transfers, promotion practices, and exit interviews to identify actionable trends.
- Mentored and guided new ER Investigators joining team with processes, guidelines, training, and as an ongoing SME.
- Coordinated and facilitated employee training sessions to enhance understanding of company policies and improve employee relations.
- Facilitated company training programs to enhance manager/employee coaching, communication, and feedback for decreased escalations.
- Prepared, and analyzed reports accordance with company guidelines and investigation confidentiality requirements.
HR CONTRACTOR/SPECIFIED TIME
Triple Canopy
Reston
12.2010 - 08.2011
- Managed employee relations for security-cleared US personnel deployed to high-risk international locations, and led annual EEOC compliance reporting through data compilation and analysis across hiring and recruiting functions.
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
IBA Molecular
Dulles
01.2008 - 11.2008
- Managed all employee relations issues located at 15 sites across the U.S. to include counseling, disciplinary actions and terminations.
- Provided expertise guidance and coaching to executive management and all levels of employees.
- Implemented performance management processes, defined job descriptions and competencies for the business units/groups, identified staffing issues and headcount requirements for two new site locations, implemented and delivered business unit surveys with additional focus group training sessions.
- Engaged with upper-level management across the U.S. to strategically evaluate employee needs in order to implement short-term and long-term results.
- Provided HR/ER support to employees at Headquarters located in Brussels, Belgium.
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
Northrop Grumman
Chantilly
08.2002 - 01.2007
- Directed and managed the planning, development, implementation and/or administration for the following human resource areas: employee relations, performance management, succession planning, project management, training and internal consulting across business units for employees residing in the U.S. and globally to include Kuwait, Japan, Germany and South America.
- ER metrics were established and tracked along with ER trends/incident areas.
- Provided strategic and tactical partnership assistance to all business partners, enabling more effective means to meet business and personal needs.
- Managed and developed a cohesive, cross-trained, service-oriented organization consisting of six HR professionals.
- Engaged with management and teams to integrate HR initiatives into strategic goals and objectives of the organization.
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Cable & Wireless
Vienna
03.2000 - 08.2002
- Oversaw employee relations issues for assigned business units, ensuring timely resolution and compliance with policies.
- Provided tools and guidance to mitigate risks at all levels across company, enhancing overall organizational stability.
- Engaged in cross-functional change projects to shape the HR organization and enhance value delivery to business units.
- Ensured consistency of US and Global activities within business units regarding performance and development plans, evaluations, redundancies, and legal compliance.
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
Price Waterhouse/PricewaterhouseCoopers, L.L.P.
12.1990 - 01.2000
- Managed employee relations issues across Management Consulting Services (MCS) division in U.S. with a team of six HR professionals to ensure a positive work environment.
- Served as HR consultant during yearly performance evaluations, facilitating promotions, ratings, and salary adjustments to support employee growth.
- Designed and developed training courses and materials aligned with business goals, fostering professional development and counseling for HR team.
- Conducted consistent coaching sessions with client service and support staff.
- Conducted screening and selection interviews for experienced, entry level, exempt and non-exempt positions.
Education
Graduate Coursework -
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MDGraduate Coursework -
Marymount University
Sterling, VABS - Education
George Mason University
Fairfax, VASkills
- Investigation techniques
- Investigative techniques
- Policy writing
- Data analysis
- Employee engagement
- Training delivery
- Conflict resolution
- Team management and consulting
- Interpersonal communication skills
Professional Development
- Held TS/SCI Clearance
- Society of Human Resources Development (SHRM)
Languages
- English
- Fluent Estonian
Key Qualifications
- Employee Relations
- In-Depth Investigations
- Performance Management
- Employee Development
- Conflict Resolution
- Training Development/Delivery
- Effective Interpersonal Skills
- Employee Engagement
- Effective Communication Skills
- Consulting
- Team Management
Professional Highlights
- Amazon, Herndon, VA, 10/01/23, current, Global Corporate Employee Relations Investigator, Investigate highly sensitive HR and Employee Relations issues., Manage and investigate overseas investigation cases: Germany, United Kingdom, Australia., Design, collect, and analyze multiple levels of employee and stakeholder feedback., Consult and collaborate with business line upper executive stakeholders., Talent Acquisition & Bar Raising: Earned Amazon Recruiting Certification., Leadership & Mentorship: Scaled departmental expertise by onboarding and mentoring new investigators., Operational Excellence: Designed and implemented performance review metrics., Technical Product Ownership: Partnered with GCER to develop an internal web platform.
- Amazon, North Palm Beach, FL, 01/01/23, 10/01/23, Corporate Employee Relations Investigator, Handled full life-cycle investigations involving salaried employees., Established corporate level relationships with employees across business lines., Provided consistent guidance and support to peers and HRBP’s.
- Amazon, Ashburn, VA, 11/01/20, 01/01/23, Employee Relations Investigator, Involved with full-cycle investigations to include salaried and hourly employees., Assisted with the expansion of the ERCI team., Actively engaged and established partnerships with business leaders.
- Freddie Mac, McLean, VA, 07/01/19, 07/01/20, Sr. Employee Relations Advisor, Oversight of Employee Relations escalations and investigations., Collaborated with Corporate Legal on high-risk cases., Coached managers to address employee matters.
- Alion Science and Technology, McLean, VA, 01/01/19, 11/01/19, Human Resources/Employee Relations, Led HR operational functions across employee relations., Driving process improvements across all areas.
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA, 04/01/17, 12/01/18, Associate, Employee Relations/Corporate Investigations, Led internal investigations across all business lines., Provided ER subject matter expertise and guidance.
- GDIT (former CSRA, Inc.), Chantilly, VA, 08/01/11, 03/01/17, Sr. Professional Employee Relations Specialist, Investigated employee complaints and disputes., Mentored and guided new ER Investigators.
- Triple Canopy, Reston, VA, 12/01/10, 08/01/11, HR CONTRACTOR/SPECIFIED TIME, Managed employee relations for security-cleared US personnel., Led annual EEOC compliance reporting.
- IBA Molecular, Dulles, VA, 01/01/08, 11/01/08, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, Managed all employee relations issues across 15 sites., Implemented performance management processes.
- Northrop Grumman, Chantilly, VA, 08/01/02, 01/01/07, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, Directed and managed HR areas including employee relations., Provided strategic and tactical partnership assistance.
- Cable & Wireless, Vienna, VA, 03/01/00, 08/01/02, HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER, Oversight for all employee relations issues., Participated in cross-functional change projects.
- Price Waterhouse/PricewaterhouseCoopers, L.L.P., 12/01/90, 01/01/00, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, Managed employee relations issues across the MCS division., Designed and developed training courses.
Timeline
Global Corporate Employee Relations Investigator
Amazon
10.2023 - Current
Corporate Employee Relations Investigator
Amazon
01.2023 - 10.2023
Employee Relations Investigator
Amazon
11.2020 - 01.2023
Sr. Employee Relations Advisor
Freddie Mac
07.2019 - 07.2020
Human Resources/Employee Relations
Alion Science and Technology
01.2019 - 11.2019
Associate, Employee Relations/Corporate Investigations
Booz Allen Hamilton
04.2017 - 12.2018
Sr. Professional Employee Relations Specialist, HR Shared Services
GDIT (former CSRA, Inc.)
08.2011 - 03.2017
HR CONTRACTOR/SPECIFIED TIME
Triple Canopy
12.2010 - 08.2011
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
IBA Molecular
01.2008 - 11.2008
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
Northrop Grumman
08.2002 - 01.2007
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Cable & Wireless
03.2000 - 08.2002
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
Price Waterhouse/PricewaterhouseCoopers, L.L.P.
12.1990 - 01.2000
Graduate Coursework -
Johns Hopkins University
Graduate Coursework -
Marymount University
BS - Education
George Mason University