The Seattle Times, a Pulitzer Prize-winning news organization and one of the few remaining independently owned daily metro newspapers in the country, is looking for a savvy Human Resources Business Partner to join our Human Resources group. As a member of the Employee Relations team, you will serve as a trusted advisor to managers and executives across the company, directly supporting all departments from Finance to Operations. Ideally, you are comfortable working with union and non-union employees on HR-related issues that surface in client groups. Effectively, this role’s primary focus is to manage and cultivate a strong relationship between the HR department and the various business units. To be successful, you should live and breathe the company values while supporting the mission of The Seattle Times. As such, you should be innately comfortable owning, developing, and evolving programs that directly support our culture while also addressing employee issues at the micro and macro level.

Work Location: This is a hybrid position requiring about 2 days in the office per week.

Responsibilities

• Provide regular strategic and tactical HR support to client groups in areas of, but not limited to, performance management, management training and coaching, workforce planning, restructures, diversity and inclusion, job changes/promotions, compensation planning, contract and policy interpretation, disciplinary action, and employee relations.
• Provide daily support to clients including assisting with leaves management, payroll support, workplace accommodations, exit interviews, etc.
• Maintain an ongoing, open line of communication with clients on HR service-related issues.
• With in-depth understanding of the business, recommend new approaches, policies, and procedures to drive continuous improvement. Seek out opportunities to improve on efficient workflows in HR as well as the assigned client groups.
• Build manager capability by coaching senior leadership and managers with compassion through challenging employee and unique organizational issues.
• Develop and implement communication and engagement strategies.
• Uphold organizational culture by managing and addressing employee relations issues quickly, consistently, and fairly.
• Provide high-level leadership and program ownership on select organization-wide programs. Recommend improvements to existing programs when appropriate.
• Assist in interpreting and applying Federal, State and Locally mandated employment and labor laws including EEO Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, ADA, ADEA, USERRA, WPMFL, FMLA, WFCA, WFLA, NLRA, etc.
• Conduct confidential investigations and recommend disciplinary action and solutions by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing investigation information. Ensure that prompt, thorough, fair and defendable investigations are done. Document the findings and recommendations. Ensure that others involved in investigations are well-trained, open-minded and focused on finding the truth.
• Ensure consistency in compliance with local, state, and federal labor and employment laws as well as company policies and guidelines. Evaluate potential risks and liabilities.
• Partner closely with Human Resources teammates to consistently improve and enhance strategies, systems, and process.
• Lead company and/or HR projects and initiatives as needed.
• Provide regular support the Employee Relations team on tasks and projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience: At least five years of experience in Human Resources as an HR Manager, HR Generalist, or HRBP, and at least two years’ experience with a direct focus on Employee Relations. Must have prior experience advising department heads, Senior Directors, or executives.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent four-year degree).
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP is preferred.
• Previous Labor Relations experience is preferred.
• Experience supporting employees in both office and manufacturing environments is strongly preferred.
• Growth mindset and commitment to personal accountability and transparency.
• Solid understanding of change management principles and processes.
• A true hands-on approach and the ability to successfully partner with field-based teams to ensure a high levels of employee engagement.
• Exposure to developing and leading diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in a company is preferred.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational, leadership, and prioritization skills, including the ability to navigate ambiguous situations and manage multiple tasks/projects at one time.
• High level business acumen and a passion to drive results by being proactive to address current and future business problems.
• Ability to work effectively with employees, and managers of all levels, across departments.
• Demonstrated success in building and managing HR Programs.
• Coaching and mentoring experience at the management level.
• Proficiency in Office 365 Suite, various HRIS systems, and/or Google Suite.

Compensation

The full salary range for this position is $77,700 to $106,800. We typically pay between $77,700 and $97,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and long-term disability insurance
• Employee assistance program and wellness bank
• Optional life and AD&D and long-term care insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• 2 weeks of vacation per year, increasing to 4 weeks after 4 years
• 10 days of sick pay per year, unused sick pay accrues to extended illness bank
• 9 paid holidays
• Internet stipend for predominantly remote employees
• Transit subsidy
• Complimentary Seattle Times subscription
• Parental leave up to 6 months

Please note: This position requires a criminal background check after an offer is made.

Founded in 1896, The Seattle Times continues its tradition as a family-owned, Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper that cuts through the clutter and provides readers with timely, relevant news. We serve the Pacific Northwest with thoughtful, independent journalism that makes a real difference in our community. And as a media solutions company, we combine cutting-edge digital capabilities and service with the values and integrity of respected traditional media… with an established audience of 2.1 million. At The Seattle Times, you'll find work that matters.

If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, please contact Human Resources at careers@seattletimes.com and provide a description of the reasonable accommodation(s) needed.

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