Director Employee Relations, Corporate Human Resources

Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive compensation program

Prepaid tuition assistance

Health and wellness programs

Job summary

A leading academic medical center is seeking a Director of Employee Relations to lead a centralized function supporting over 40,000 employees. This role involves developing employee relations strategies, providing guidance to HR teams, and ensuring compliance with employment laws. The ideal candidate has extensive HR experience, particularly in employee relations. This position offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits program alongside a commitment to employee well-being and a positive workplace environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of multidisciplinary HR experience, particularly in employee relations.
• Ability to develop and implement employee relations strategies.
• Experience in advising senior management on complex employee relations issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead the centralized employee relations function for UPHS.
• Provide support and guidance on employee relations matters.
• Advising on risks and legal exposures within employee relations.

Skills

Employee relations expertise

Leadership skills

Conflict resolution

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor of Arts or Science

Master of Arts or Science

Job description

Position Overview

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.

Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

Entity & Location

Entity: Corporate

Department: Human Resources CORP

Location: Remote with in-person meetings as needed at various sites within the health system

Hours: 8 hr Days

Summary

• The Director of Employee Relations is responsible for leading a centralized employee relations function in support of employees and leaders across the University of Pennsylvania Health System. The director will play a pivotal role in fostering and driving a positive, inclusive, fair and productive work environment.
• The director will create and leverage a cohesive and proactive employee relations strategy that is informed by HR best practice and aligns with internal cultural initiatives, i.e. fair and just culture.
• The director will ensure fairness and equity in the interpretation and application of HR policies and maintain compliance with local, state and federal employment laws.
• The director will work collaboratively with HR leaders at each entity and within the corporate COE's, instrumental in maintaining a harmonious work environment that supports organizational goals and employee well‑being.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and launch of a centralized employee relations function at UPHS, serving over 40k employees.
• Serve as a key partner within the HR team and provide support and guidance on a variety of employee relations matters to promote a positive employee experience.
• Provide day‑to‑day oversight, management and guidance to the employee relations team members on a broad range of employee relations matters.
• Advising senior management on complex employee relations issues, including areas of risk and legal exposure.
• In partnership with labor relations, proactively conduct risk/vulnerability assessment and leverage mitigation approaches.
• Partner with inside and outside legal counsel as necessary on employee relations matters including legal claims filed by current and former employees, and track, monitor and report on legal claims.
• In partnership with other HR functions, monitor employee climate to identify workplace opportunities and trends, recommending proactive solutions based on business needs and best practices.
• Partner with other key HR functions to design and leverage training programs for managers and employees on employee relations topics.
• Develop, implement and maintain comprehensive employee policies that are legally compliant and are fairly applied.
• Ensure a fair and thorough examination of employee relations, investigations and conflicts.
• Work collaboratively with key HR leaders, specifically HR Operations, to align tier 1 and tier 2 employee relations responses.
• Develop metrics to measure performance within the employee relations function.
• Provide oversight of the EEO‑1 and VETS reporting process, partnering with HRIS and external vendor to ensure compliance.
• Participate in special projects such as HR system implementations, as needed.

Education or Equivalent Experience

Bachelor of Arts or Science (Required) with 8+ years multidisciplinary HR experience, including employee relations.
Master of Arts or Science (Preferred) with 7+ years multidisciplinary HR experience, including employee relations.

Benefits

We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.