Sr. Employee Relations Partner

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:    

The Senior Employee Relations Partner is responsible for advising managers and HR Business Partners (HRBPs) regarding employee relations situations, and ensuring that workplace issues are handled effectively, ethically, and consistently. The Employee Relations Partner supports the American Equity’s organizational, business and cultural objectives by supporting and resolving employee relations work across all levels of the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   

• Drives the implementation of employee relations strategies, guidelines, and procedures, including providing effective communication and guidance for managers, business partners and employees. Ensures consistent application across the organization and by the HR Business Partners.
• Conducts investigations related to employee issues and claims, prepares investigative summaries, and makes recommendations on next steps and appropriate actions.
• Identifies, analyzes, and implements sound resolutions to employee relations issues.
• Executes a proactive, strategic approach to employee relations by identifying and analyzing employee relations information and data for themes, trends, and root cause identification. Shares findings with key partners to develop and deliver an integrated plan that helps drive organization and people strategies and decisioning alignment.
• Establishes, builds, and maintains strong relationships with business functions, including employees, managers, HR, and legal.
• Supports legal team in complying with applicable local, state and federal laws, including knowledge of applicable laws, proactively identifying areas for review, articulating risk, and recommending course of action.
• Partners with talent acquisition team and managers on immigration matters.
• Manages accommodation requests in accordance with applicable local, state and federal laws.
• Provides a proactive, consultative approach to employee relations and issue prevention.
• Identifies and addresses opportunities for improving HR processes; proactively recommends new processes and modifications to existing processes and policies by assessing needs.
• Manages the exit process for voluntary and involuntary terminations, including the job elimination process. May participate in termination meetings with affected employees.
• Recommends and implements proactive programs to ensure alignment of performance measurement, feedback, development, and accountability standards to drive organizational performance.
• Develops and conducts employee relations training as needed, and at least annually. Builds competence in managers around performance management, critical conversations and risk mitigation.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Direct Reports: 0

General Description of Indirect Reports (2 and 3-downs): 0 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:   

• Bachelor's degree in business, human resources, or other related field; plus a minimum of six (6) years of human resources experience; or equivalent combination of education and/ experience.
• Two (2) or more years of handling advanced ER cases including expertise in EEOC, ADA, Wage and Hour, and Investigations.
• Advanced degree and/or project management certification and/or coaching certification preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS: 

CP, SCP, PHR or SPHR certification a plus. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:   

• Proven ability to diagnose issues, drawing on both professional experience and strategic thinking skills, and drive appropriate solutions
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion
• Solid business acumen and ability to work well across different functions in order to integrate HR and business strategies
• Exceptional listening skills and ability to relate to, influence, consult with and coach multiple levels in the organization
• Excellent written and verbal communications; high quality document preparation and presentation skills
• Ability to work both independently and as an active member of both business and HR teams
• Strong project management and execution skills.
• Proven ability to use data to drive decision making and develop solutions

Minimal to no travel is required in this job.