David Small

David Small

MBA • SHRM-CP

HR professional combining hands-on retail HR, recruiting, and employee support with a strong interest in applying AI to improve HR processes and decision-making.

Raleigh, NC • Research Triangle
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About

I'm an HR professional with an MBA from the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management, a Bachelor's in Business Administration with an HR concentration from NC State, and a SHRM-CP certification. My background combines hands-on retail HR experience at Target with operations and administrative management in hospitality.

At Target, I supported day-to-day HR operations across three high-volume stores — partnering with leadership on staffing and scheduling, assisting with full-cycle recruiting during peak hiring periods, and helping team members and leaders navigate workplace questions, onboarding, and engagement programs.

I completed my MBA while working full-time, including six months of study living in London. Throughout the program I built hands-on proficiency with AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) for research, data analysis, and workflow support — an interest I've carried into HR, where I see real opportunity to use AI to make processes more efficient and people-focused.

I'm currently seeking an HR generalist or entry-level leadership role in the Research Triangle, where I can continue building practical experience and contribute to efficient, people-focused operations.

David Small David Small in London David Small

Experience

Human Resources Expert (HRE)
Target Corporation
Cary & Raleigh, NC (Stores T-1080, T-1824, T-2784) • February 2024 – May 2025
  • Supported day-to-day HR operations across high-volume retail locations, partnering with store leadership on staffing, scheduling, and team support.
  • Assisted with full-cycle recruiting, including reviewing applications, coordinating interviews, and supporting hiring efforts during peak periods (100+ hires).
  • Provided guidance to team members and leaders on HR-related questions, including scheduling, pay, and workplace concerns.
  • Helped facilitate onboarding and training processes to support new hire integration and team development.
  • Drove employee engagement initiatives including Pride Month cultural programming, Angel Tree community partnerships, and Food Bank volunteer coordination.
  • Supported team leads with performance conversations, conflict resolution, and day-to-day leadership guidance.
  • Applied AI tools to streamline HR reporting and analyze workforce data, identifying scheduling inefficiencies and improving labor allocation.
  • Utilized Workday and workforce scheduling systems (myTime/Kronos) to maintain employee data and support staffing operations.
Administrative & Office Manager
Carolina Spirits Inc.
Raleigh, NC • September 2016 – March 2020
  • Managed daily operations and administrative functions for a multi-venue hospitality group with nightclub and bar properties in downtown Raleigh.
  • Oversaw hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and payroll coordination for a staff of 40+.
  • Served as the primary HR point of contact, handling employee relations issues, policy enforcement, and compliance with state labor regulations.
  • Managed vendor relationships, accounts payable/receivable, and inventory controls, reducing operational costs through contract renegotiation.

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of Arizona, Eller College of Management
Completed December 2025 • 4.0 GPA

Completed coursework while working full-time, including six months of study while living in London. Built hands-on proficiency with AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) for research, data analysis, and workflow support. Earned SHRM-CP certification (2024) alongside MBA coursework, strengthening knowledge in HR compliance, workforce planning, and talent strategy.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration — HR Concentration
North Carolina State University, Poole College of Management
Completed January 2023 • 4.0 GPA

Skills & Certifications

Human Resources

HR Operations & Support Talent Acquisition & Recruiting Employee Relations & Engagement Onboarding & Training Organizational Development Change Management HR Systems & Reporting AI-Driven Workforce Strategy

AI & Analytics

ChatGPT Claude Microsoft Copilot Prompt Engineering People Analytics Data Visualization

HR & Business Tools

Workday Oracle HCM Greenhouse ADP Alight myTime Greenfield Microsoft 365 Google Workspace Slack Zoom

Community Involvement

Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC Volunteer coordinator supporting food distribution efforts across the Triangle region.
Angel Tree Holiday Gift Drives Organized workplace giving campaigns to provide gifts to children and families during the holidays.
Pride Month Workplace Programming Led cultural programming initiatives to foster inclusive and welcoming workplace environments.

Let's Connect

I'm always happy to talk about HR generalist or entry-level leadership opportunities in the Research Triangle — or about AI in the workplace.

Email Me LinkedIn