Employee Relations Business Partner

The Michaels Organization is a national leader in residential real estate offering full-service capabilities in development, property management, construction, and investment. At Michaels, our teammates strive to fulfill our promise of creating communities that lift lives – ones that jumpstart housing, education, civic engagement, and neighborhood prosperity. With this passion at the forefront of our business, Michaels teammates can be proud to be a part of the extraordinary, every day.

The Employee Relations Specialist position is responsible for ensuring business objectives with employees and management in designated business units are achieved. The position formulates partnerships across the HR function to deliver value-added service to management and employees that reflects the business needs of the organization. The Employee Relations Specialist is a champion for building and maintaining a strong organizational culture by continuously striving for improvement of the employee experience. The ER Specialist will support and provide advice for company related culture initiatives. In partnership with leadership and management, the HRBP works on setting priorities, driving organizational values and delivering business results.

This position will support our Midwest region and ideally be based out of IL or IN.

• First line of support for employees and management. Answers questions, resolves issues.
• Provides day-to-day performance management guidance to leadership and line management (e.g., coaching, counseling, career development, disciplinary actions).
• Works together with TMO’s leaders, managers and teammates to solve conflicts and help facilitate positive employee relations, maintain a good working environment, build morale, and decrease unwanted turnover.
• Analyzes trends and metrics in partnership with the HR group to develop solutions, programs and policies.
• Run reports as needed. Read, interpret dashboards and reports containing complex data.
• Manages and resolves complex employee relations issues. Conducts effective, thorough and objective investigations
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance. Partners with legal counsel as needed/required.
• Participates in meetings with business leaders and provide HR advice and coaching to key stakeholders.
• Works closely with management and employees to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention.
• Provides HR policy guidance and interpretation.
• Collaborates and Partners with the Talent Acquisition, other HR team members and leadership/management, on anything relating to new hires, promotions and transfers as well as implementing innovative and inclusive recruitment, compensation, benefit and wellness strategies.
• Advise and counsel on employment laws and regulations, as well as other legal requirements regarding people matters and management, to help leaders and the organization to ensure compliance.
• Provides guidance and input on business unit restructures, workforce planning and succession planning.
• Works with HR and Talent Development team to identify training needs for business units.
• Participates in evaluation and monitoring of training programs to ensure success. Follows up to ensure training objectives are met.
• Assists with the implementation of reward and recognition programs to increase employee engagement.
• Partners with the appropriate leadership, management and employee groups on implementing programs for diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Experience: 

• Minimum of 5 to 7 years of experience resolving complex employee relations issues
• Working knowledge of multiple human resource disciplines, including compensation practices, employee relations, diversity equity and inclusion, performance management, organizational design, federal and multi-state employment laws with extensive experience in the state of California

Required Education/Training: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Psychology, Business Administration, Organizational Studies, or related field required
• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), SPHR or PHR preferred

Required Skills and Abilities: 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship building, collaboration and customer service skill
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to comprehend, interpret and apply the appropriate sections of applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, guidelines, ordinances and policies
• Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization’s hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, compensation practices, and the administrative practices relating to those factors
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Self-directed with ability to work independently
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, critical thinking and judgement skill
• Proficient with HRIS’s, Google Suite (or related software)

Working Conditions: 

Ability to travel as needed and necessary for business purposes

Salary Range Information:

The range displayed on each job posting reflects the targeted base salary for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Rewards & Benefits:

We know Michaels’ promise of lifting lives starts with our teammates, so making sure every single teammate is happy, healthy, and set up for a successful future is important to us.  As part of our team, you will enjoy a competitive wage, a comprehensive benefit package which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, prescription, etc., generous paid time off, a 401 (k) plan with a company match, and so much more.  We believe in education – and in taking care of our own – so as an added incentive your children will be able to apply for the Michaels Employee Scholarship Program. 

• Help make the world a better place in a team-oriented environment.
• Grow with our organization through various professional development opportunities.
• Collaborate and thrive in a company culture where all are welcome

Michaels teammates make a difference in the lives of residents, colleagues, and the communities where we live and work every day.  To learn more about the total rewards we offer please visit our website. 

Come join our team. You’re going to love it here!