Employee Relations Partner III

Job Summary:

The Employee Relations Partner III serves as a strategic advisor on employee relations, partnering with business leaders, HR Business Partners, and CoE's to strengthen organizational practices and advance enterprise initiatives. This role helps shape and execute employee relations strategy, resolve complex issues with sound judgment and urgency, and foster a fair, compliant, and positive work environment.

Essential Functions: Provide expert guidance and strategic thought in employee relations, serving as an advisor to leaders, addressing employee issues, aligning people initiatives with business goals, and driving organizational effectiveness.

Create and implement positive employee relations strategies and practices by proactively identifying risks, recommending solutions, and fostering a fair, respectful, and compliant work environment.

Partner with HRBP team and CoE’s to drive proactive change management and adoption efforts related to key functional and enterprise initiatives, helping leaders and their teams navigate change and reinforce sustainable outcomes.

Independently resolve complex employee relations matters with sound judgment, discretion, and a strong sense of urgency, including situations that require the ability to operate effectively in gray areas.

Advise business leaders on policy interpretation, performance management, risk assessment, and collaborating to establish and implement performance standards that promote accountability and support department objectives.

Coach leaders to confidently handle routine employee issues independently—drafting clear communications and maintaining proper documentation—reducing the need for Employee Relations review of every coaching conversation.

Conduct thorough, timely, and well-documented investigations, assess findings, identify root causes, and recommend appropriate next steps.

Analyze employee engagement metrics, case trends, and exit data to uncover key insights, guide strategic decision-making, and collaborate with leadership to develop action plans that enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

Utilize authorized AI-enabled tools to enhance communications, documentation, streamline workflows, and enhance employee relations processes—while upholding sound judgment, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance.

Design, update, and deliver employee relations training to audiences at all levels, both in-person and virtually, to strengthen leadership skills and promote organizational consistency.

Perform any other job related duties as requested.

• Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field required
• Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field preferred
• Equivalent years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of required education
• Five (5) years of experience dealing with a variety of complex employee relations issues at multiple levels within an organization required
• Experience partnering with HR Business Partners, CoE's and senior leaders, including C-suite executives preferred
• Experience supporting organizational change management initiatives and enterprise-wide programs preferred
• Experience using AI-enabled tools to support employee communications, documentation, workflow efficiency, and process improvement in HR or employee relations environments preferred
• Competencies, Knowledge and Skills: Excellent written, oral, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Effective time management and multitasking skills, including the ability to anticipate and adapt to changing priorities
• Up-to-date knowledge of employment laws, workplace trends, and employee relations best practices across multiple states
• Strong critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous situations and navigate complex issues with professionalism and confidence
• Ability to work with a strong sense of urgency while managing sensitive and complex employee relations matters
• Strong conflict management, investigation, and problem-solving skills
• Executive presence and the ability to influence, coach, and collaborate effectively with leaders at all levels, including senior executives

Ability to build leader capability by providing practical coaching, tools, and guidance that enable managers to independently address routine employee issues, documentation, and communications with confidence and consistency

• Strong understanding of HR information systems and data analytics
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Copilot and other approved Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools
• Ability to develop and facilitate employee relations training topics for audiences at all organizational levels

Licensure and Certification: Professional in Human Resources (PHR) / Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) OR Strategic Human Resource Business Partner (sHRBP) certification preferred

Working Conditions: General office environment; may be required to sit or stand for extended periods of time

Travel is not typically required