Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

LaTara Jester

McDonough

Summary

Strategic and compassionate human resources professional with 14 years at Hilton and over 4 years of progressive HR experience. Trusted partner to the General Manager, overseeing all aspects of Human Resources at the property level, while working independently to drive compliance, employee engagement, and operational excellence. Proven track record in talent acquisition, employee relations, and culture transformation. Skilled at aligning HR strategy with business objectives to strengthen retention, elevate performance, and foster a positive workplace culture. Seeking to advance into a senior HR leadership role to further enhance organizational effectiveness and employee experience.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience

Work History

Human Resources Generalist

Embassy Suites Atlanta Buckhead
Atlanta
07.2022 - Current
  • Reports directly to the General Manager and serves as the sole HR leader at the property, independently managing all HR functions.
  • Owns full-cycle HR responsibilities including talent acquisition, employee relations, compliance, payroll, and engagement initiatives for all property staff.
  • Spearheaded recruitment strategies that increased high-caliber hires by 30% and reduced turnover significantly.
  • Developed and implemented wellness and engagement programs, improving employee satisfaction by 25% and retention by 20%.
  • Partnered with department heads to identify workforce needs and align HR strategy with property and corporate objectives.
  • Ensured compliance with federal, state, and brand standards, mitigating risk and maintaining operational excellence.
  • Oversaw payroll processing and HRIS accuracy, safeguarding timely and compliant employee compensation.
  • Chaired the Make A Difference Committee; organized property-wide events, recognition programs, and cultural initiatives that strengthened morale and team cohesion.

Breakfast Supervisor

Embassy Suites Atlanta Buckhead
Atlanta
11.2021 - 07.2022
  • Streamlined daily operations, achieving a 15% increase in guest satisfaction ratings through exceptional service delivery.
  • Trained and mentored staff to foster a team-oriented environment focused on guest satisfaction and operational excellence.
  • Implemented scheduling strategies that optimized staff productivity and enhanced service quality.

Director of Food and Beverage

Homewood Suites Midtown/Hilton Garden Inn Midtown
Atlanta
02.2020 - 06.2021
  • Promoted for exceptional performance, leading to increased responsibilities and impactful contributions.
  • Crafted and executed initiatives that boosted guest satisfaction scores by 20% while reducing operational costs by 15%.
  • Trained staff in safety protocols and inventory management, meeting targets for waste reduction and financial efficiency.
  • Collaborated with culinary teams to ensure high-quality offerings and proactively addressed guest feedback.

Sales Administrative Coordinator

DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta/Roswell
Roswell
03.2019 - 02.2020
  • Cultivated strong client relationships, resulting in a 30% increase in repeat business and enhanced brand loyalty.
  • Streamlined contract processing, improving sales operations efficiency by 20%.
  • Leveraged market insights to support strategic sales initiatives, driving overall revenue growth.

Education

BBA - Human Resources Management

Mercer University
Atlanta, GA
12.2025

Certificate - Hospitality and Tourism

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL
05.2020

Certificate - Ethics Training, Leadership Training, Management and Supervisor Training, Project Management Training, Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certification

Management And Strategy Institute
Downingtown, PA
04.2020

Skills

  • Talent acquisition
  • Onboarding
  • Employee relations
  • Employee engagement
  • HRIS
  • Payroll systems
  • Compliance
  • Policy implementation
  • Training
  • Development
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Delphi
  • Payroll processing
  • Serv Safe certification
  • Strategic communication
  • Conflict resolution
  • Cross-functional collaboration

References

Available upon request

Accomplishments

  • 2023 - Nominated for The Georgia Hotel & Lodging Associations Star reward for Administrative/Support Champion.
  • 2025 - Nominated for The Georgia Hotel & Lodging Associations Star Community Service Champion.
  • 2025 - Nominate for Employee of the 1st Quarter from Embassy Suites Atlanta Buckhead.

Timeline

Human Resources Generalist

Embassy Suites Atlanta Buckhead
07.2022 - Current

Breakfast Supervisor

Embassy Suites Atlanta Buckhead
11.2021 - 07.2022

Director of Food and Beverage

Homewood Suites Midtown/Hilton Garden Inn Midtown
02.2020 - 06.2021

Sales Administrative Coordinator

DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta/Roswell
03.2019 - 02.2020

BBA - Human Resources Management

Mercer University

Certificate - Hospitality and Tourism

Florida Atlantic University

Certificate - Ethics Training, Leadership Training, Management and Supervisor Training, Project Management Training, Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certification

Management And Strategy Institute

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LaTara Jester