Director of People Relations

Purpose of the Position:

The Director of People Relations fosters a positive workplace environment and ensures fair treatment of team members. This role will develop and implement policies to promote team member engagement. This position will provide guidance to leaders and team members on workplace issues, will work to resolve conflicts, and conduct investigations into team member complaints and disputes. This role will also ensure that practices comply with employment laws and applicable regulations.

What you’ll do:

1. Manage Employee Relations Activities: Lead processes related to employee relations interventions. Work with department management to create, edit, and administer corrective actions, and document coaching/counseling activities.
2. Conduct ER Investigations: Investigate, document, and address team member complaints and potential violations of employment policy.
3. Support Leadership Practices: Provide guidance to management and team members on workplace issues and conflict resolution. Advise managers and supervisors on team member development initiatives (e.g., individual development plans), leveraging relevant learning and development resources.
4. Maintain Team Member Handbook: Maintain the organization’s team member handbook and its supplements, including identifying, analyzing, and processing changes to handbook policies. Ensure consistent application of policies relating to team members in accordance with the organization’s mission and values, applicable federal and state regulations, and all accrediting agencies standards and requirements.
5. Manage Team Member Employment Separations: Approve, administer, and document all involuntary separations. Manage exit interview process for team members voluntarily separating from the organization. Participate in unemployment hearings. Review exit reports, provide actionable intelligence to People Ops Business Partners.
6. Administer Team Member Offboarding: Ensure appropriate documentation is provided to separating employees, that all internal actions are taken to complete separation process and terminate system access.
7. Design and Deliver People Relations Training: Create and deliver training related to people relations, workplace ethics, and organizational culture. Monitor team member engagement and assist in developing strategies to improve retention and job satisfaction.
8. Support Organizational Changes: Collaborate with Legal, Finance, and other P&C stakeholders to support organizational changes, such as restructuring or mergers.
9. Lead with Care: Lead, coach, and develop team members, fostering a culture of wellness, recognition, and engagement. Meet regularly with direct reports in one-on-one and group settings to provide feedback and cultivate/maintain a positive work culture.
10. Perform other duties as assigned.

Career Level Expectations:

• Recognized expert in professional discipline (typically obtained through post-secondary education and work experience).
• Manages large projects or processes with limited supervision from people leader.
• Coaches, reviews, and delegates work to proficient and entry-level professionals.
• Difficult and often complex problems and are typically solved through drawing from prior experience and
  in-depth analysis of issues, in collaboration with others.
• Desire for growth and professional development.

Required Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in team member relations, investigations, and similar work.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Knowledge of employment laws and labor relations.
• Experience in mediation and/or negotiation.
• Ability to professionally communicate fluently in verbal and written English.
• Ability to contribute to a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Computer literacy/basic computer skills to effectively navigate and utilize the technology required for the role.

Preferred Requirements:

• Advanced degree, in human resources or related field.
• Strong/advanced proficiency in any of the above required skills/experience.
• HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR).
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other business tools such as Microsoft Teams.

Compliance:

• Demonstrate knowledge of and carefully follow all applicable federal and state compliance requirements and regulations including those prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education, accrediting agencies, state regulations, and internal policies and procedures.
• Effectively communicate compliance requirements to other staff as appropriate and quickly escalate any compliance concerns to the Compliance department.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• This is a fully remote position.
• Home office set up, quiet place to work, and ability to hard wire into high-speed internet connection.
• May require setup of computer equipment; accommodation consideration available upon request.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, as needed.