MackenzieSchlangen
Minneapolis, MN 55416
(320) 492-1876
mschlangen08@gmail.com

People-first operations and communications professional with 5+ years leading teams, building systems, and driving results at a major university. Brings a rare combination of analytical thinking, clear writing, and hands-on people management — with a track record of making complex things organized, accessible, and human.

People & Teams
Hired, trained, and developed 85+ staff. Builds cultures of accountability and trust from day one.
Systems & Organization
Designs clear processes for scheduling, records, and workflows that scale and stick.
Communication
Translates complex policies and plans into clear messaging for every level of an organization.
Full-cycle recruiting & candidate communication
Staff scheduling & workforce coordination (85+ people)
Onboarding, training design & program delivery
Confidential recordkeeping & HR documentation
Policy writing, communication & compliance
Budget coordination & expense tracking
Event planning & logistics execution
Stakeholder communication across all levels
Written content for diverse audiences & channels
Microsoft Office 365: Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint
Assistant Manager
Apr 2023 – Present
Wisconsin Union – Union South Kiosks, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Managed full-cycle recruiting for up to 85 student staff — posting positions, screening applicants, interviewing, and coordinating onboarding
  • Built and maintained complex schedules for 25 supervisors and 65 team members across weekly and monthly cycles
  • Developed and delivered structured training programs tracking communication, time management, and leadership development
  • Maintained confidential employee files and HR documentation with discretion and accuracy
  • Drafted and distributed policy communications via written memos and in-person meetings
  • Planned and executed staff events; collaborated with senior leadership on budget and strategic planning
  • Served as primary point of contact for staff, university partners, and vendors
Assistant Manager
May 2020 – Apr 2023
Wisconsin Union – Der Rathskeller, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Oversaw all HR and operational functions for a $6M university dining unit
  • Interviewed, hired, and tracked training for student supervisors across concurrent hiring cycles
  • Managed personnel records and documentation with accuracy and confidentiality
  • Developed messaging strategies and communications for policy rollouts across the team
  • Engaged student staff in shared decision-making, fostering accountability and positive culture
Bachelor of Arts — Political Science & Gender and Women's Studies
University of Wisconsin-Madison  ·  Graduated May 2020
Full-cycle recruiting: postings, screening, interviewing, offer coordination
Onboarding design & new hire experience management
Training program development, delivery & progress tracking
Workforce scheduling for large, multi-role teams
Confidential employee file & records management
Policy interpretation, documentation & staff communication
Performance coaching & professional development support
Candidate experience & point-of-contact communication
Assistant Manager — People & Operations
Apr 2023 – Present
Wisconsin Union – Union South Kiosks, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Managed the complete hiring lifecycle for a team of 85+ — from drafting postings and screening resumes to conducting interviews, extending offers, and coordinating onboarding
  • Served as the primary point of contact for candidates throughout the process, providing timely updates and a consistently positive experience
  • Designed and implemented a structured training program for new hires and supervisors; tracked completion and outcomes across the team
  • Built and maintained schedules for 25 supervisors and 65 team members, balancing availability, coverage needs, and last-minute changes under time pressure
  • Maintained confidential HR files, ensuring documentation accuracy and compliance with university policy
  • Mentored student staff in professional development, offering guidance and building a culture of growth and accountability
Assistant Manager — People & Operations
May 2020 – Apr 2023
Wisconsin Union – Der Rathskeller, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Oversaw all HR functions for a $6M university unit — interviewing, selecting, onboarding, and tracking training for student supervisors
  • Maintained employee records and ensured personnel documentation was accurate, organized, and current
  • Engaged student staff in shared decision-making and built an environment where people felt invested and heard
Bachelor of Arts — Political Science & Gender and Women's Studies
University of Wisconsin-Madison  ·  Graduated May 2020
Written content for diverse audiences: memos, announcements, guides, correspondence
Strategic messaging & communication planning
Policy communication & change management messaging
Spokesperson & external-facing representation
Stakeholder relationship management across all levels
Cross-functional communication & alignment
Academic foundation in rhetoric, public discourse & persuasion
Deadline-driven execution across overlapping priorities
Assistant Manager — Communications & Operations
Apr 2023 – Present
Wisconsin Union – Union South Kiosks, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Developed and executed communication strategies for policy rollouts, operational updates, and training initiatives reaching 85+ staff
  • Drafted written communications — memos, announcements, onboarding guides, and procedural documentation — tailored to audiences from front-line staff to senior leadership
  • Served as the team's primary spokesperson and external representative with university partners, vendors, and cross-departmental stakeholders
  • Partnered with senior leadership to develop aligned messaging around strategic initiatives, ensuring consistency across all channels
  • Planned and facilitated team events and meetings, producing all supporting materials and managing pre- and post-event communications
  • Managed multiple simultaneous communication workstreams in a fast-paced environment, consistently meeting deadlines without sacrificing quality
Assistant Manager — Communications & Operations
May 2020 – Apr 2023
Wisconsin Union – Der Rathskeller, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Wrote and delivered all team communications for a $6M university dining unit — from day-to-day announcements to strategic policy rollouts
  • Created onboarding and training materials that translated complex processes into clear, accessible documentation
  • Built trusted relationships with staff, management, and university stakeholders through consistent, transparent communication
Bachelor of Arts — Political Science & Gender and Women's Studies
University of Wisconsin-Madison  ·  Graduated May 2020
Coursework: Political Communication · Public Discourse & Rhetoric · Policy Analysis · Media & Politics
Organizational systems design for records, scheduling & documentation
Budget coordination, expense tracking & financial reporting
Event planning & end-to-end logistics management
Calendar & deadline management for senior leadership
Data accuracy, recordkeeping & compliance documentation
Process analysis & operational improvement recommendations
Cross-functional project coordination
Microsoft Office 365: Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint
Assistant Manager — Operations & Administration
Apr 2023 – Present
Wisconsin Union – Union South Kiosks, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Designed and maintained organizational systems for scheduling, personnel records, and operational documentation across a team of 85+
  • Coordinated budget inputs, monitored expenditures, and managed inventory forecasting to reduce overhead and prevent stockouts
  • Planned and executed staff events and meetings — managing all logistics, materials, and communications from start to finish
  • Collaborated with senior management on strategic planning, departmental reporting, and productivity improvements
  • Maintained accurate, organized operational records; ensured compliance with university policies and procedures
  • Analyzed operational practices and implemented process revisions to improve team efficiency and service delivery
Assistant Manager — Operations & Administration
May 2020 – Apr 2023
Wisconsin Union – Der Rathskeller, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Managed administrative and operational functions for a $6M university unit, including recordkeeping, staffing documentation, and policy compliance
  • Oversaw inventory management and operational reporting; identified inefficiencies and recommended process improvements
  • Coordinated cross-functional activities and kept senior leadership informed through regular updates and structured reporting
Bachelor of Arts — Political Science & Gender and Women's Studies
University of Wisconsin-Madison  ·  Graduated May 2020