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    BPI Expert Faculty

    Kevin McDonald

    Vice President, BPO Governance & HR Operations

    The E.W. Scripps Company

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.Kevin McDonald is a recognized leader in HR operations and BPO governance with over 25 years of experience.
    • 2.He has led major HR technology implementations, including Workday, and guided The E.W. Scripps Company through three transformational M&A events.
    • 3.McDonald's expertise includes HR technology strategy, vendor management, and integrated talent management.
    • 4.He was named an HRO Today HRO Practitioner Superstar for four consecutive years (2013-2016).

    About Kevin

    Kevin McDonald is a faculty expert at the Best Practice Institute and Vice President, BPO Governance & HR Operations at The E.W. Scripps Company, recognized for his extensive experience in HR operations, technology strategy, and business process outsourcing governance.

    Who is Kevin McDonald?

    Kevin McDonald is a highly experienced Human Resources professional with over 25 years in the field. He currently serves as the Vice President, BPO Governance & HR Operations at The E.W. Scripps Company, a role he has held for multiple years, demonstrating his deep expertise in navigating complex HR landscapes within large organizations. Based in Fairfield, OH, McDonald is distinguished by his strategic approach to HR technology, service delivery, and vendor management, consistently driving value through optimizing HR functions.

    His contributions extend to the academic realm as a Faculty Expert at the Best Practice Institute, where he shares insights on leadership, organizational development, and workplace culture. McDonald's career reflects a sustained focus on transforming HR operations and integrating talent management strategies, making him a recognized leader in modern HR practices.

    Quick facts about Kevin McDonald

    RoleVice President, BPO Governance & HR Operations
    CompanyThe E.W. Scripps Company
    Based inFairfield, OH
    ExpertiseHR Operations, BPO Governance, HR Technology, Talent Management, Process Improvement, M&A Integration
    Notable forHRO Today HRO Practitioner Superstar (2013-2016), pioneering HR outsourcing models
    BPI affiliationExpert Faculty member

    What is Kevin McDonald known for?

    • Leading HR Transformations: McDonald has spearheaded numerous HR transformations, including significant merger and acquisition integrations, at The E.W. Scripps Company.
    • BPO Governance Expertise: He is a recognized authority in business process outsourcing (BPO) governance, focusing on maximizing value from technology and service provider relationships.
    • HR Technology Implementation: McDonald has led the deployment of major HR systems, including Workday for HCM, Payroll, and Financials, and has overseen initiatives in HCM Analytics and AI for employee experience.
    • HRO Today Practitioner Superstar: He was honored as an HRO Today HRO Practitioner Superstar for four consecutive years (2013-2016).
    • Advisory Board Contributions: McDonald has served on various advisory boards, including the HROA Board of Trustees and the ADP COS Client Advisory Board, and currently advises OneSource Virtual.

    What is Kevin McDonald's background and experience?

    Kevin McDonald's career spans over 25 years, primarily focused on HR operations, technology strategy, and vendor governance. He joined The E.W. Scripps Company in 2007 as Director, Vendor Management, where he led the selection, contracting, and solution design for a significant mid-market HRO deal. His progression at Scripps includes roles as Director, HR Operations, and ultimately Vice President, BPO Governance & HR Operations, managing major BPO relationships and HR technology implementations. Notably, he has guided Scripps through three transformational M&A events.

    Prior to his tenure at Scripps, McDonald spent 11 years at Fifth Third Bank. During this time, he played a crucial role in developing the bank's first benefits open enrollment website and implementing the Lawson HRIS. He was also instrumental in transitioning services to Convergys Employee Care and later led the implementation of SAP Organization and Position Management, as well as Manager Self Service as an E-HR Manager.

    McDonald holds key certifications that underscore his professional acumen:

    • COP (Certified Outsourcing Professional)
    • PHR (Professional in Human Resources)
    • HRIP (Human Resources Information Professional)

    What topics does Kevin McDonald speak and write about?

    Kevin McDonald frequently addresses topics at the intersection of HR strategy, technology, and operational excellence. His insights often cover optimizing HR service delivery models, enhancing organizational efficiency through technology, and effectively managing outsourcing relationships. He emphasizes the importance of a holistic, long-term view in integrated talent management, advocating for strategies that encompass the entire employee lifecycle.

    His expertise extends to business process transformation, where he shares practical approaches to leveraging technology for strategic advantage. McDonald highlights how organizations can maximize the value derived from their technology and service providers, ensuring that HR initiatives align with broader business objectives and contribute to overall success.

    How does Kevin McDonald contribute to the Best Practice Institute?

    As a Faculty Expert at the Best Practice Institute, Kevin McDonald contributes his deep understanding of HR operations, BPO governance, and talent management to BPI's community. He provides expert insights that align with BPI's focus on leadership development and integrated talent management. His role involves sharing practical knowledge and best practices, enriching BPI's resources for professionals seeking to optimize their HR strategies and operations.

    McDonald's expertise directly supports BPI's mission to advance organizational leadership and foster Most Loved Workplaces® by offering guidance on creating efficient, technology-driven, and employee-centric HR environments. His contributions help BPI members understand how effective HR governance and technology integration can improve employee engagement and drive strategic business outcomes, which is central to the SPARK Model.

    Where can you learn more from Kevin McDonald?

    To learn more from Kevin McDonald, you can explore his faculty profile on the Best Practice Institute website. His expertise is often featured in BPI content related to HR technology, outsourcing governance, and talent management. He has presented on topics such as "Integrated Talent Management at Scripps" through BPI's learning sessions, providing valuable insights into real-world applications of advanced HR strategies.

    Background & Perspective

    Background and Career

    With over 25 years of experience, Kevin McDonald is a distinguished Human Resources professional currently serving as the Vice President of BPO Governance & HR Operations at The E.W. Scripps Company. Based in Fairfield, OH, he has been with Scripps since 2007, progressing from Director of Vendor Management to his current executive role. Throughout his tenure, he has guided the company through three transformational merger and acquisition events and led major technology deployments, including Workday for HCM, Payroll, and Financials.

    Prior to joining Scripps, McDonald spent 11 years at Fifth Third Bank, where he was instrumental in developing the bank's first benefits open enrollment website and implementing the Lawson HRIS. His work there also included transitioning services to Convergys Employee Care and leading the implementation of SAP Organization and Position Management.

    Areas of Expertise

    Kevin McDonald is an authority on HR operations, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) governance, and HR technology strategy. His work focuses on maximizing value from technology and service provider relationships to optimize HR functions. His expertise covers:

    • HR Operations and Strategy
    • BPO Governance and Vendor Management
    • HR Technology and Service Delivery
    • Talent Management and Process Improvement
    • Merger & Acquisition Integration
    • Organizational Development

    He frequently speaks and writes about aligning HR initiatives with broader business objectives to enhance organizational efficiency and drive success.

    Recognition and Contributions

    McDonald's contributions to the field have been widely recognized. He was honored as an HRO Today HRO Practitioner Superstar for four consecutive years (2013-2016). He has also served on several advisory boards, including the HROA Board of Trustees and the ADP COS Client Advisory Board, and currently advises OneSource Virtual. He holds multiple professional certifications, including Certified Outsourcing Professional (COP), Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and Human Resources Information Professional (HRIP).

    As a Faculty Expert at the Best Practice Institute, McDonald shares his extensive knowledge on leadership, organizational development, and integrated talent management with the BPI community.

    Areas of Expertise

    HR OperationsBPO GovernanceHR TechnologyTalent ManagementProcess ImprovementMerger & Acquisition IntegrationVendor Management

    Research Topics

    HR StrategyOrganizational DevelopmentWorkplace CultureLeadership Development

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