R OBERT R EITKNECHT

Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877

203-894-9412 (home) ~ rreitknecht@msn.com ~ 203-733-6794 (mobile)

PROFILE
Recruitment Strategies ~ Training & Development ~ HR Administration
Diverse experience with multi-million dollar facilities and Fortune 500 companies. Collaborative hands-on
leadership style in service-oriented teams. Able to communicate effectively with executives, clients, staff,
vendors, and union representatives. Member, Society for Human Resource Management. Capabilities:

~ Staffing needs assessments ~ Project management

~ Applicant screening/qualification ~ Budget forecasting
~ Diversity strategies ~ Employee relations
~ Retention Initiatives ~ HR Policies & Procedures

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Assessed personnel needs to craft and launch recruiting strategy for 8 regional locations; partnered
with managers at 34 locations to support staffing needs.
Coached senior managers in effective candidate screening, evaluation, and interviewing, which
resulted in more effective placements and less turnover.
Established internship program and recruiting presence with area universities offering Health
Promotion degrees, including Western Connecticut State University and Adelphi University.
Produced accurate job descriptions for management, personal trainer, customer service, and retail
sales associate positions.

EXPERIENCE
AVALON BAY COMMUNITIES, Stamford, Connecticut 2010 – 2011
Community Consultant
Prospected for new residents and processed apartment home lease applications for 306-unit community.
Cultivated open communications with residents to secure lease renewals and to resolve issues.

COSTCO WHOLESALE, INC., Yonkers, New York 2004 – 2010

Front-End, Membership, and Operations Supervisor
Human Resources Highlights:
Recruited, hired, and trained qualified candidates for intense, customer-driven retail environment.
Conducted reference checks and mentored other supervisors in proper procedures.
Oversaw performance and development plans for 10 associates; provided formal performance
evaluations and daily coaching; groomed several staff for promotions.
Created department’s Standard Operating Procedures to ensure consistency across functions.
Additional Accomplishments:
Launched premium membership sales training program: achieved 553 sales during 2-week blitz.
Implemented Service Excellence Program to encourage teamwork among all 270 employees.
Coached staff to increase cashier checkout efficiency by 16%.
Redesigned visual layout of Member Suggestion Counter, increasing submission rate by 30 per week.
Led department during personnel shortage for 5 months, including busy holiday season.

TOWN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL, New York, New York 1996 – 2004

General Manager, Westport, Connecticut (2002-2004)
Human Resources Highlights:
Managed 25 staff; recruited, hired, and trained all team members.
Trained staff on new business software for membership information and attendance.
Additional Accomplishments:
Supervised facility grand opening and gained 1,800 new members.
Increased membership 68% in 15 months and exceeded profit targets for 11 consecutive months.
Reduced complaints from 10 to 1 per month by implementing proactive approach to situation resolution.
Continued
ROBERT REITKNECHT P AG E 2

Human Resources Manager, Stamford, Connecticut (2000-2002)

Hand-picked to manage HR functions for 8 regional locations in 1-person satellite office; later assumed
responsibilities for 34 regional locations.
Tailored Human Resource policies and procedures, including general policies and work rules, to meet
regional needs.
Administered compensation and benefits, employee privilege, and legal compliance plans.
Defined job parameters, and created and implemented new recruiting strategy.
Managed recruiting, hiring, training, coaching, and counseling programs for club managers and staff.
Developed standardized interview questions to provide consistency across all locations.
Prepared offer letters and monitored orientation in-processing.
Coordinated 20 college and professional job fairs per year and grew regional staff 15% in 2 years.
Created 14-week internship program; prepared PowerPoint presentation for senior managers and for
university career centers; hired intern after program completion.
Completed reference checks and audited reference check reports by managers.
Solicited feedback about HR practices; implemented suggestions according to corporate strategy.
Wrote General Managers’ Handbook to improved employee coaching and counseling process.
Conducted Interviewing Workshops and Prevention of Sexual Harassment Workshops.
Researched options to implement Work Opportunity Tax Credit program.
Redesigned employee recognition program to encourage outstanding performance and boost morale.
Prepared termination packages and conducted exit interviews.
General Manager, Stamford, Connecticut (1997-2000)
Human Resources Highlights:
Recruited and trained new associates; significantly reduced turnover through staff retention program.
Additional Accomplishments:
Managed 22,000 square foot athletic facility with 1,500 members and 32 staff.
Administered all P&L, personal trainer sales, new member sales, and member-retention tasks.
Exceeded sales quotas 150% by introducing member retention programs during major club expansion.
Director of Operations, Landmark Athletic Club, Stamford, Connecticut (1996-1997)
Human Resources Highlights:
Interviewed candidates and oversaw training program for new hires.
Reviewed and approved all personnel actions, including raises, benefit changes, and terminations.
Additional Accomplishments:
Supervised 18,000 square foot athletic facility with over 1,200 members and 30 staff.
P&L responsibilities included sales, new member and new member retention goals.
Reduced monthly expenditures by 15% through effective inventory control measures.
Lowered operating costs 30% by driving operations improvements.
Branded club name within community by inviting guest speakers to attend club functions.

TARRYTOWN HOUSE, Tarrytown, New York 1986 – 1996

Sports Center Director
Human Resources Highlights:
Created and implemented safety administration programs to ensure compliance with state and local health
department standards, and insurance regulations.
Coordinated closely with management on labor union initiatives; attended seminars on union relations.
Additional Accomplishments:
Increased fitness center gross profits by 35% by creating special services guide.
Designed and operated full-service gift shop with $5,000 in annual revenues.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Associate of Applied Science: Sullivan County Community College, Loch Sheldrake, New York
Fundamentals of Personnel Law for Managers and Supervisors; Dealing Effectively with Unacceptable
Employee Behavior: Skillpath
The Manager’s Role; OSHA Record Keeping: American Management Association