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Position Summary
Position Overview
The HR Business Partner is responsible for impacting the long-term mission and culture by facilitating employment processes for assigned areas. Assist in the creation, implementation, and delivery of training programs for supervisors and staff; recommend, and implement personnel policies and procedures; and assist with employee relations and coaching of supervisors on employee issues.
What will I do in this position?
Employment Services/Employee Relations
- Serve as a gatekeeper of the culture and mission by assessing cultural, relational and spiritual fit through screening and interviewing job applicants to fill opening positions for assigned departments.
- In cooperation with the hiring authority, oversee the coordination of all aspects of the hiring process which includes job postings, job offers, reference checks, background checks, and new employee onboarding.
- Build trusting relationships with hiring authorities in assigned areas and provide competent, kind, and timely service.
- Respond to employment and policy related inquiries from applicants, employees, and supervisors.
- Provide coaching to employees and supervisors regarding retention, performance issues, employee relations, and conflict resolution. Mediate conflict situations as needed, referring complex and/or sensitive matters to the Director of Employment Services.
- Assist supervisors in the disciplinary process, ensuring that standard protocols and legal considerations are adhered to.
- In conjunction with the Director of Employment Services, respond to employee relations issues such as employee complaints, harassment allegations, and civil rights complaints. Investigate as needed and provide guidance on appropriate next steps.
- Maintain knowledge of best practices, regulatory changes, trends, and new technologies in human resources talent management.
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of, and compliance with, legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees.
- In conjunction with the Director of Employment Services, provide guidance and input on department restructures, workforce planning and succession planning as needed.
- Research and provide recommendations on compensation.
- Oversee exit process for both the employee and supervisor in assigned areas.
Training and Projects
- Prepare for and conduct employee and supervisor training on various topics (i.e. leadership development, supervisory skills, etc.) as assigned.
- Assist the Director of Employment Services with the development and implementation of projects and HR-related procedures.
- Because our community is a significant part of our mission and the development of our students, all employees act as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ by actively partnering with the University to disciple students in growing intellectually and spiritually, and with Northwestern Media to lead people to Christ and nurture believers to mature in their faith.
- Administer various human resource plans and procedures; assist in the development and implementation of personnel policies and procedures; help prepare and maintain employee handbook and policies and procedures manual.
- Serve as backup and cross train within the Employment Services division in HR.
What will it take to succeed in this position?
Minimum Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources or related field, or equivalent experience required
- Minimum of three to five years of human resource experience required
- Experience navigating employee relations issues required
- PHR or SPHR certification a plus
- Continually nurture a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; serve as a consistent witness for Jesus Christ; maintain a kind, Christ-like attitude in dealing with and ministering to people within and outside of Northwestern; and faithfully uphold and embrace Northwestern’s mission, doctrinal statement, and Declaration of Christian Community.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Spiritual Discernment and applied wisdom – Possesses a level of spiritual maturity and discernment which provides the ability to discern and assess spiritual maturity and fit of applicants with the organization.
- Ability to pass a background check upon hire and periodically throughout the course of employment.
- Ability to maintain a flexible schedule to occasionally travel as necessary to Northwestern media outlets and other functions as requested.
Strategic/Systems Thinker/Critical Thinking Skills
- Ability to understand and see the big picture of the operation/organization and understand the role and importance of context when making decisions. Ability to understand how departments, workflows and systems impact each other. Ability to critically think through decisions and operate in sometimes ambiguous situations, understanding most organizational situations and decisions are not always clear or easy decisions. Able to operate in the gray and manage on-going tensions that can’t always be solved with a policy.
Transactional/Technology
- Ability to pay attention to details and follow workflows. Knowledge of how workflows impact customer service. Ability to do repetitive tasks with excellence. Self-starter with ability to work in both a team environment and independently, without close supervision. Detail oriented with ability to complete projects and tasks in a timely manner. Basic computer proficiency with ability to work comfortably with technology and apply it to improve workflows and processes.
Leadership/Interpersonal
- Ability to develop and establish relationships of trust based on character and competence. Ability to serve others in a helpful way, always putting what’s best for the mission and institution first. Ability to influence others without organizational or positional power. Ability to move towards conflict and difficult relational situations without shrinking back. Ability to face difficult decisions and communicate negative, difficult information in a kind, respectful way. Ability to handle confidential, sensitive information. Knowledge and understanding of employment law at federal and state levels and ability to apply those laws in various employment situations.
What are the benefits of working at Northwestern?
In addition to being part of a compelling, meaningful mission, we have benefits we believe set us apart from other employers.
For example we have:
- Generous health, dental and other insurance benefits
- Excellent Paid Time Off plan
- Twelve-plus paid holidays per year
- Tuition benefits for employees and their families
- Company retirement contributions
- Complimentary access to campus athletic, music, and theatre events
