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Patrick Gahr
Head of Program Management, Global Transfers at Amazon
Patrick Gahr is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in HR operations and analytics at Amazon, focusing on providing HR solutions to the global workforce.
With a customer-centric approach, Patrick aims to ensure a seamless and satisfying employee experience by offering high-quality HR services throughout the employment lifecycle, including onboarding, leave of absence, accommodations, and internal transfers.
He is well-versed in HR policies, legal compliance, data quality assurance, HR systems, and workforce reporting and analytics, contributing innovative solutions to Amazon's various business models.
Patrick has pursued education in International Peace Studies, Japanese, and International Studies from reputable institutions such as Trinity College Dublin, Seattle University, Universidad de Belgrano, and Sophia University, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and global understanding.
His professional experience includes roles at Amazon as Head of Program Management, Manager Program Management, Program Manager for Corporate Pay/Internal Transfers, HR Specialist for Global Talent Movement, Recruiting Coordinator for Retail, and ERC Associate for Internal Transfers.
Prior to his tenure at Amazon, Patrick held positions as an Independent Contractor/HR Assistant at Planate Management Group LLC, Project Coordinator at US-Japan Research Institute, and Policy Analyst/Intern at the United Nations.
His background also encompasses roles as an Ambassadorial Scholar at Rotary International, Assistant Language Teacher at Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET), Resident Assistant at Seattle University, and Leadership Coordinator at Seattle University.
With a robust professional journey marked by leadership, analytical skills, and a passion for global issues, Patrick Gahr stands out as a valuable asset in the realm of HR operations and analytics.
Highlights
March 31st marked my 10 year anniversary at Amazon. It is hard for me to believe how much time has past with my time at Amazon but with all the experience I have gained it does add up. I began my journey jumping into something completely new to me, just willing to take a role that would provide some professional development. Never saw myself becoming a company person, and in my mind I felt it would be a short lived adventure.
Reflecting on the reasons I stay, the answer is not always easy but there are common themes that have always been present.
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Throughout my time at Amazon I have always remained impressed by my direct leadership, and how they have encouraged results from me. While I have never had the opportunity to meet the CEO or my SVP for that matter, I have found the senior leadership that has been close to me to be representative of successful ideals. I have always enjoyed the relationships I have had with my managers, and never felt my interests were not on the top of their mind or they were not thinking about my well being.
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The community of my peers has always included individuals who promote a respectful work environment, and celebrate team successes rather than encouraging individual competitiveness. These are the people I have spent a good portion of my daily life with, and I have always appreciated their company as we have navigated some difficult times. I have always said you can have your dream job but be miserable if your work environment is toxic. While Amazon was not in my mind when I started my career as a dream job, the work environment has for the most part been a wonderful place for me.
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Having the priority of my role to ensure employees have a positive experience at Amazon has been a source where I have drawn inspiration. Having such longevity in a role can only be possible if you truly believe in what you are doing. While I work for an e-commerce company much of my day to day focus is on the indivial experience of how Amazon employees navigate role changes. I do not always agree with what is decided at the top, but it brings me joy if there are aspects along the way I can influence to make things better. With Amazon’s openness to innovation/change I have never felt there has been a barrier in stopping me from having an impact.
While I understand my experience at Amazon can be unique, or maybe I have fitted into the mold well, it does not change the fact I have good reasons to be grateful for my time here. I have never seen this as a permanent place, and time has sort of crept up on me, but it has been a wonderful journey nonetheless. For those of you who have been with me along the way, thank you for being part of my Amazon journey. Shout out to all my former managers! (Brett Lumsden, Chris Gootherts, Cody Grant , Matthew Wiltse, Lisa Richards , Erin Downs , Anupriya Sitani, Lloyd Wilky, Kevin Manion )
Excited to share I have opened a Sr. Program Manager role in London. This role will focus on helping our team build out a global concierge program for cross border movements, and drive strategic initiatives to improve the overall transfer experience at Amazon. Please feel free to reach if you or anyone you know would be interested in this opportunity, and joining my team.
