Leadership

Roberto (Bob) Llamas is Chief Human Resources Officer for The Nielsen Company. In this role, he is in charge of Human Resources strategy and processes as well as Public Affairs efforts throughout the organization, which includes our presence in more than 100 countries. Bob joined The Nielsen Company in June 2007 and is based in New York.  

Bob came to The Nielsen Company from The Cleveland Clinic, one of the top health care systems in the world, where he served as Chief Administrative Officer. He joined The Clinic in 2004, leading initiatives that increased satisfaction scores for patients and employees. He also implemented productivity processes that resulted in significant operating results.

Bob began his career in 1972 with Southern California Edison, where he held positions of increasing responsibility in Human Resources. In 1976 he moved to TRW Inc. and held leadership roles in their electronic manufacturing and high tech defense businesses, becoming the number two HR executive for the 23,000-employee Space and Defense Sector.

Bob joined General Electric, where he was a corporate officer, in 1993. His first assignment was HR Leader for GE Capital’s group of five consumer businesses. In May of 1995, Bob became the HR leader for GE Lighting, a highly globalized business with 43,000 employees, two thirds of which resided outside the U.S. He played a significant role in the implementation of successful productivity initiatives including performance management, labor relations, e-business and Six Sigma. Bob became the HR Leader for GE Employer Reinsurance in 1999 and helped lead a major initiative to improve their performance culture, operating execution, and globalization.

In 2000, Bob became the head of Human Resources for Lehman Brothers, where he was a Managing Partner and member of the firm’s Operating Committee. During his two years at Lehman, Bob was instrumental in the successful implementation of programs in leadership development and workforce diversity. Bob had a key leadership role in helping the business and its people achieve their incredible recovery from the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

In late 2002, Bob retired early, relocating to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he managed a successful consulting business. He joined The Cleveland Clinic in November 2004.

Throughout his career, Bob has been active in various community organizations and has also been on the board of several major non-profit organizations. He holds a BS degree in Marketing Management from California Polytechnic State University, Pomona and an MS in Organizational Development from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles.