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The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMASS Medical) is a group of diverse businesses that make a significant contribution and impact in higher education, medical research, healthcare consulting/delivery and biotechnology throughout the commonwealth and the world. 

We were recognized by US News & World Report Rankings as one of the best graduate schools for Primary Care Education and rank in the top 10 percent in the nation!  At UMass Medical School, Commonwealth Medicine and MassBiologics, our commitment to excellence, diversity, competitive salary & benefits.  Work-life integration will allow you to build a professionally rewarding career as we work together to positively impact the health of people around the globe. 

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION: 

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Employee Relations, the Senior Employee Relations Investigator/Consultant provides guidance, support and expertise in employee relations matters to include discipline, coaching, performance management, HR policy interpretation.  Key objectives include ensuring legal compliance and adherence to UMMS policies and procedures are met in a consistent, objective and fair fashion.  Provide guidance to managers and employees on employee relations issues, investigate formal complaints, make recommendations on UMMS’ response, and ensure legal requirements are met in terms of employee relations in order to minimize liability to UMMS.  This position also collaborates with other HR team members to address organizational needs and contributes to a range of projects to implement HR strategies (i.e., organizational behavior, change management, policy implementation).  The Senior Employee Relations Consultant will provide guidance to other Employee Relation Consultants and staff in the absence of the Senior Director.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct complex internal investigations regarding potential misconduct and violations of UMMS policy.
• Prepare comprehensive fact finding reports on completed investigations.
• Lead assigned major/complex projects in a variety of employee relations-related areas. Provide direction and guidance to assigned staff and consultants for the satisfactory performance of projects.
• Provide guidance to Employee Relations Consultants and other staff in the absence of the Senior Director of Employee Relations.
• Provides mentoring to Employee Relations Consultants and other staff including providing input to reviews, training and developing staff.
• Partner with and serve as a resource to employees and managers to promote and maintain positive employee relations.
• Maintain relationships with managers to proactively identify, manage and resolve employee relations concerns.
• Manage and resolve employee relations matters.
• Propose resolutions to complex and highly sensitive employee relations issues.
• Advise and influence all levels of management regarding resolution employee relations decisions.
• Interprets and applies UMMS policies and procedures, applicable federal and state laws and regulations to decision impacting employer-employee relations.
• Coach and counsel management and staff on the performance management process.
• Serves as the Adjudication Officer for the new hire background check process.
• Ensure consistency, communication and collaboration in a matrixed environment.
• Conduct exit interviews.
• Uses HR employee relations metrics to identify trends, root causes and propose proactive solutions, programs and best practices in support of the HR strategy.
• Use HR employee relations metrics to determine trends and develop proactive strategies to minimize employee relations issues.
• Assists Senior Director of Employee Relations in preparing reports by collecting, analyzing and summarizing data and trends.
• Proactively minimize legal risk by ensuring client’s comply with UMMS policies and procedures.
• Participate in employee training programs as required.
• Ensure employee relations tracking systems are accurate and complete
• Supports and promotes the HR mission.
• Collaborate with HR services to develop and deliver solutions to support client groups.
• Partners/collaborates with other HR functions to deliver excellent service to the customer.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Seven years of employee relations experience to include conducting complex workplace investigations.
• Demonstrated experience in writing comprehensive investigation reports.
• Ability to provide credible HR guidance to and influence management at all levels.
• Proven experience coaching and counseling all levels of staff on a wide variety of issues, and a thorough understanding of employment law.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrates credibility and integrity in communications.
• Demonstrated experience in conflict resolution, mediation, facilitation.
• Demonstrated team player.
• Strong customer focus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in order to successfully interface at all levels of the organization.
• Computer skills in MS office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), PeopleSoft and HRIS.
• Strong business acumen and a working knowledge of multiple HR disciplines.
• Analytical and problem solving skills including the ability to analyze data, understand trends, develop recommendations.
• Ability to travel between business locations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• PHR or SPHR certification
• Lean experience a plus
• Prior experience in a lead role or with facilitating large complex projects

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SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Under the general direction of the Director or assignee

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SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

May function as a project or team leader

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ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Usual office environment

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As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, UMMS recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds.