Laura McLaughlin

With over 15 years of experience directing HR, finance, benefits administration, talent acquisition, and administrative operations at Baldwin & Obenauf, Inc., a boutique advertising agency in Central New Jersey, I bring a rare combination of human resources and office administrative operations expertise as well as financial management experience and insight that enables me to align people strategies with organizational goals effectively.

In my most recent role as Director of Business Services, I oversaw all aspects of HR and Admin Operations—including employee relations, onboarding, offboarding, benefits administration, payroll, HR compliance, vendor relations, and office management—while also supporting budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. This dual responsibility has honed my ability to design policies and programs that not only support a positive workplace culture but also ensure fiscal accountability and operational efficiency. In my role I was responsible for three physical offices as well as fully remote staff across more than a dozen states at any one time. I have deep experience with PEO partnerships, HRIS programs, and employee benefits, including 401k administration along with unique programs such as Health Reimbursement Accounts and Participant Funding Arrangements which enable companies to realize significant savings while offering robust healthcare benefits. I also have deep experience with employee lifecycle management, from recruitment, onboarding, career development through off-boarding, working directly through an ATS as well as recruitment agency partners.

I am particularly drawn to opportunities where I can add value, applying my experience to strengthen HR operations, mentor teams, and contribute to strategic decision-making at the intersection of people and performance. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background and skills can add value to your organization.

In my most recent role as Director of Business Services, I oversaw all aspects of HR and Admin Operations—including employee relations, onboarding, offboarding, benefits administration, payroll, HR compliance, vendor relations, and office management—while also supporting budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. This dual responsibility has honed my ability to design policies and programs that not only support a positive workplace culture but also ensure fiscal accountability and operational efficiency. In my role I was responsible for three physical offices as well as fully remote staff across more than a dozen states at any one time. I have deep experience with PEO partnerships, HRIS programs, and employee benefits, including 401k administration along with unique programs such as Health Reimbursement Accounts and Participant Funding Arrangements which enable companies to realize significant savings while offering robust healthcare benefits. I also have deep experience with employee lifecycle management, from recruitment, onboarding, career development through off-boarding, working directly through an ATS as well as recruitment agency partners.

My prior experience as a Plant Controller, Accounting Manager, and Senior Financial Analyst further strengthens my analytical and strategic capabilities. I understand how HR decisions impact business performance, and I bring a data-driven approach to workforce planning, compensation analysis, and process improvement. Colleagues and executives alike have relied on me to lead with empathy, uphold compliance, and deliver measurable results.
 

I am particularly drawn to opportunities where I can add value, applying my experience to strengthen HR operations, mentor teams, and contribute to strategic decision-making at the intersection of people and performance. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background and skills can add value to your organization.

 

My educational background is based in accounting, with a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. For the past 20+ years, I have worked in roles that focused on business services and office management, combining both my accounting and finance expertise with my many years of HR and Admin Operations work experience.