Semih Kulalı

-Managed end-to-end HR and payroll operations for the Türkiye team; served as the sole HR point of contact and coordination for all Türkiye-related matters, directly supporting the connection between local employees and U.S. leadership

-Led talent acquisition, including job postings, candidate screening, and conducting interviews across departments

-Prepared offer letters, employment contracts, and onboarding documentation; developed a structured onboarding process supported by SOPs

-Administered monthly payroll using DİA accounting software and Excel, managing PTO, overtime, deductions, and salary processing

-Filed all required legal declarations, including Muhtasar Beyannamesi, ensuring compliance with Turkish tax obligations

-Oversaw the Bireysel Emeklilik Sistemi (BES)—managing enrollments, contributions, and employee communication

-Coordinated employee benefits including meal cards and private health insurance, maintaining regular communication for smooth process

-Created and implemented performance evaluation systems to support promotion and compensation planning

-Managed termination procedures and conducted exit interviews, ensuring compliance with Turkish labor law and collecting actionable feedback

-Authored and updated HR policies and created the Türkiye-specific Employee Handbook, ensuring alignment with local regulations and cultural practices

-Liaised with third-party attorneys and accountants to reconcile payroll practices, HR documentation, and company policies with Turkish labor and tax legislation

U.S. Operations Support:

Worked on off-boarding processes in select U.S. states (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, South Carolina, California, and Connecticut) managing resignation documentation, company property returns, and 401(k) coordination

Ensured all procedures were compliant with U.S. labor laws and company policy framewor

-Responsible for managing weekly and bi-weekly payroll processes for the New Jersey operations, ensuring accurate and timely salary disbursements for all employees

-Calculated and processed payroll-related components including overtime, deductions, bonuses, paid time off (PTO), sick leaves, and holiday pay

-Handled federal and state tax withholdings, benefits deductions, and compliance with relevant U.S. labor and payroll regulations

-Collaborated closely with the Finance team to reconcile payroll reports and ensure financial accuracy

-Maintained up-to-date employee records and coordinated with HR for onboarding, benefits enrollment, and changes in compensation

-Supported audits and internal reviews by preparing payroll documentation and responding to compliance inquiries

-Contributed to system improvements and streamlined payroll workflows to improve accuracy and reduce processing time

-Participated in a structured, education-focused internship program designed to introduce students to core financial concepts and banking operations

-Attended seminars and workshops on topics such as financial markets, investment products, and risk management

-Gained theoretical knowledge of corporate finance, retail banking, and economic indicators through expert-led sessions

-Observed real-world applications of finance in a professional banking environment

-Completed a rotational internship program, gaining exposure to various departments including marketing, logistics, sales, and finance

-Observed internal workflows and learned about the end-to-end operations of a leading retail company

-Participated in team meetings, trainings, and department-specific tasks to better understand retail management practices

-Developed a broad understanding of cross-functional collaboration in a corporate setting

-Performed administrative and office tasks as part of the university’s official student employment program

-Assisted with documentation, filing, and data entry to support departmental operations

-Helped maintain organized records and contributed to the smooth functioning of daily office activities

-Developed time management and organizational skills in a professional academic environment

-Participated in finance-related projects under the supervision of bank professionals

-Learned about investment tools, financial products, and banking operations through structured training

-Contributed to group research tasks and supported project documentation

-Gained exposure to the banking sector's internal processes, including customer relations and risk assessment