Pavlinka Valkova

Co-Founder

Sofia, Sofia City, Bulgaria17 yrs 5 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

Expert in guiding HR through M&A transitions.
Passionate about employee engagement and cultural change.
Currently training as a coach to enhance human experience.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a HR Consulting expert specializing in change management and employee engagement.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Change ManagementHr ConsultingTraining

Other Skills

HR executionproject deliverystakeholder managementdata-driven insightscross-functional alignmentcontinuous improvementGDPR implementationcase managementemployee experienceLearning and DevelopmentPerformance ManagementOnboardingRecruitmentPeople ChangeEngagement activities

About

“The only constant is change.” With over 18 years of experience in HR, I operate at the intersection of business transformation and human experience. My focus is on helping people navigate complex transitions, from mergers and acquisitions to changes in structure, role, or direction. These moments often bring uncertainty, and I care deeply about supporting people through them with clarity, respect, and intention. I enjoy dynamic environments and working with diverse stakeholders. I aim to make complex topics simple, clear, and actionable so people can move forward with confidence. Alongside my corporate role, I am currently training as a coach with Noble Manhattan, completing the Practitioner Coach Diploma. This reflects a natural evolution in how I want to work with people. I am interested in creating space for reflection, supporting self-awareness, and enabling more conscious choices during times of change. I believe people are naturally resourceful, and that with the right space they can find clarity and direction that truly works for them.

Experience

17 yrs 5 mos

Total Experience

2 yrs 7 mos

Average Tenure

7 yrs 7 mos

Current Experience

Noble manhattan coaching bulgaria

Life and Executive Coach in Training

Nov 2025 – Present · 7 mos · Sofia, Bulgaria

Progress

4 roles

HR M&A Program Director

Promoted

Apr 2023 – Present · 3 yrs 2 mos

Lead end-to-end HR execution for M&A deals, ensuring smooth delivery from due diligence through integration and transition
Own project delivery by managing scope, timelines, dependencies, and risks to ensure on-time, high-quality outcomes
Provide clear, data-driven updates and insights to stakeholders, enabling informed decision-making at all levels
Drive cross-functional alignment, remove blockers, and ensure seamless collaboration across teams
Build trusted partnerships and influence stakeholders to successfully deliver business outcomes
Drive continuous improvement of the HR M&A program by simplifying processes, increasing automation, and enhancing employee experience

HR executionproject deliverystakeholder managementdata-driven insightscross-functional alignmentcontinuous improvement+2

M&A Program Senior Manager, People Team

Dec 2021 – Apr 2023 · 1 yr 4 mos

M&A Program Manager, Prople Team

Jan 2021 – Nov 2021 · 10 mos

Culture and Employee Engagement Lead

Oct 2018 – Jan 2021 · 2 yrs 3 mos

Part of the best Organizational Effectiveness team, focused on:
Culture
Employee engagement
Inclusion & Diversity
Global Recognition
Global Onboarding
M&A Integration

Mondelēz international

3 roles

Non-MBS HR Projects Lead

Sep 2017 – Oct 2018 · 1 yr 1 mo

Managing implementation of HR projects in the countries not supported by regional service center in Europe. Leading the New General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) implementation effective May 25th 2018 and the implementation of a new case management and employee experience tool (Service Now).

Learning and Development Specialist

Promoted

Jul 2015 – Aug 2017 · 2 yrs 1 mo

Main focus on Learning and Development priorities and activities for Bulgaria, Romania, East Adriatic Markets. As a passionate facilitator and trainer (F2F and remotely) I love helping others learn and develop.
Responsible also for the Performance Management process and system, Onboarding, Engagement, Employer Branding initiatives, Early Career program in Bulgaria. Additional support on Recruitment and Administration when needed.
Participating in various regional and global projects as additional developmental opportunities (transformation initiatives, MBS, Performance Management representative for MEU, Onboarding, case management tool launch, etc.)

GDPR implementationcase managementemployee experienceHR Consulting

HR Solutions Specialist

Sep 2014 – Jun 2015 · 9 mos

Learning and development;
Performance Management;
Recruitment;
Onboarding;
Engagement;
HR Administration;

Learning and DevelopmentPerformance ManagementOnboardingTraining

Mondelez international

People Change and Engagement Lead

Jul 2013 – Aug 2014 · 1 yr 1 mo · Sofia

Responsible for People Change and Engagement activities for an important transformational project.
Partner with HR, Country, Communications and Business Change Lead to define and address the People and cultural change challenges.
Together with the HR and Business Change Lead, define the strategy and plans for integrated Change activities
Lead and follow up the local stakeholder analysis
Define and deliver key change activities around engagement, communication and culture
Deliver Training and Engagement sessions
Identify leadership behaviors to support the changes
Engage Functional Leads on progress tracking against agreed plans and change activities
Design, implement and monitor on-going activities as required
Ensure consistency of culture change practices across the organization
Develop and drive local communications strategy and plans, together with HR, Communications and Business Change Lead
Integrate and provides oversight of various performance measurement and tracking activities like Organizational Readiness Survey, Key User Survey, and Focus Groups
Implement local Reward and Recognition Initiatives inline with the project program, etc.

Learning and DevelopmentPerformance ManagementRecruitmentTraining

Kraft foods bulgaria

2 roles

Specialist HR Administration

Promoted

Apr 2013 – Dec 2013 · 8 mos · Sofia

Responsible for the labor relations for all Sofia employees
Keep the HR management system up to date (SAP for HR)
Organize regular Medical Examinations
Update policies and procedures according to new requirements and company set up
Responsible for employees engagement activities
Organize company events for all employees
Support the L&D manager in different projects and events
Support various everyday activities, etc.

People ChangeEngagement activitiesCultural changeChange Management

HR Assistant

Sep 2011 – Mar 2013 · 1 yr 6 mos · Sofia

Prepare all labor related documents for employees
Administrate all processes related to appointment, reappointment and termination of employees according to the Bulgarian legislation
Keep and update employee records
Keep the HR management system up to date
Organize company events and assist in organizing trainings, assessment centers, etc.
Take part in organization and participate in various events with universities, student organizations and career forums, etc.
Assist in other various everyday activities