Project Manager- Optimization

Fractional Background Check Optimization Consultant

~20 hours per week

Korn Ferry is supporting an organization transitioning its background check (BC) processes and platform to Assurant
, and ownership of the program is moving under the CHRO
. To support this transition, the CHRO is seeking an experienced Fractional Background Check Optimization Consultant with direct Assurant expertise who can guide process redesign, risk evaluation frameworks, and operational workflows.

This consultant will:

• Lead the transition of background check ownership into HR
• Evaluate and optimize current BC workflows
• Build a structured, scalable escalation playbook
• Provide expert-level discretion and oversight on complex BC cases
• Enhance quality, consistency, and efficiency across the process

The company anticipates hiring 1,000 employees in the next 12-16 months and completes 1,250-1,500 background checks annually
, requiring a well‑designed, high‑volume‑ready process.

This role will partner directly with the CHRO and the current BC process owner.

• Lead the end‑to‑end transition to Assurant's background check platform, ensuring alignment with HR operations and compliance standards.
• Assess the existing background check workflow, including handoffs, decision points, SLAs, and exception handling.
• Develop and implement an Escalation Playbook that standardizes decision‑making for returned results, follow‑on items, and ambiguous cases.
• Provide oversight and expert discretion on complex BC results requiring seasoned evaluation.
• Identify and mitigate process gaps, operational risks, and areas prone to human error.
• Train junior BC coordinators on updated processes, decision frameworks, and best practices.
• Establish metrics, quality checks, and audit mechanisms to ensure compliance and accuracy.
• Partner with the CHRO to define ownership, governance, documentation, and reporting structures.
• Recommend long‑term enhancements for scalability, automation, and reduced processing time.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and industry‑specific regulations (e.g., FCRA, EEOC guidance).

• Hands‑on experience with Assurant's background screening platform
• Proven expertise managing or optimizing background check and adjudication processes
• Strong project management and change management skills
• Experience designing or implementing escalation workflows/playbooks
• Deep understanding of compliance regulations (FCRA, adjudication matrices, adverse action workflows)
• Ability to work independently and provide senior‑level judgment on complex BC cases
• Experience operating in mid- to high-volume hiring environments

• Experience supporting high‑growth organizations scaling from 1,000+ hires/year
• Exposure to HR Ops, Talent Acquisition, or compliance teams
• Background in consulting or fractional advisory work
• Familiarity with Checkr or other BC platforms in addition to Assurant

• Standardized, documented, scalable BC process
• Reduced turnaround times and fewer escalations due to gaps or human error
• Increased confidence from CHRO and HR Ops in BC quality & decision consistency
• A clear, repeatable framework for handling complex returned results

Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at