Employee Relations Partner

Northwest Bank; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite 4 days a week

Optional Friday work-from-home

Job summary

Northwest Bank is seeking an Employee Relations Partner to foster a positive, compliant workplace culture and advise leaders on employee relations issues. You will conduct confidential investigations, partner with Legal and Compliance, and support policy adherence in alignment with banking regulations.

The role emphasizes collaboration with HR leadership and a focus on ethical practices, diversity, equity, and inclusion, with onsite work Monday through Thursday and Fridays optional remote.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Admin, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience with a focus on employee relations.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
• Experience conducting investigations and preparing detailed reports.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on employee relations issues including performance management and disciplinary actions.
• Conduct confidential investigations into complaints such as harassment or discrimination.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, and HR leadership for compliant handling of cases.
• Monitor trends in employee relations and propose proactive solutions.
• Support training on workplace conduct, ethics, and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with HRBPs and leadership on organizational changes and workforce planning.

Skills

Conflict resolution

Regulatory compliance

HR analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related

Master’s or HR certification

Tools

HRIS

MS Office

Job description

IN0534 Fishers, OH0523 Independence Bus Office, OH0713 NW Bancshares HQ, PA0258 Bellevue, PA0445 Williamsport, PA0725 State College Business OfficeJob DescriptionPosition Summary:The Employee Relations Partner plays a critical role in fostering a positive and compliant workplace culture within the bank. This role serves as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees, ensuring fair and consistent treatment across the organization while mitigating risk and supporting the bank’s mission of integrity, customer service, and operational excellence. The Employee Relations Partner is responsible for managing employee relations matters, conducting investigations, and supporting policy adherence in alignment with banking regulations and employment law.Key Responsibilities:Provide expert guidance to managers and employees on employee relations issues, including performance management, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution.Conduct thorough, confidential investigations into employee complaints, including harassment, discrimination, and ethical concerns, ensuring compliance with internal policies and banking regulations.Partner with Legal, Compliance, and HR leadership to ensure consistent and legally sound handling of employee relations matters.Monitor and analyze employee relations trends, identifying risk areas and recommending proactive solutions to improve workplace culture and reduce liability.Support the development and delivery of training programs on workplace conduct, ethics, respectful communication, and regulatory compliance.Collaborate with HR Business Partners and senior leaders to support organizational changes, restructures, and workforce planning initiatives.Maintain detailed documentation of employee relations cases, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with recordkeeping standards.Assist in the review and enhancement of employee relations policies and procedures to align with banking industry standards and employment law.Serve as a resource for interpreting federal and state employment laws, banking regulations, and internal policies.Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field5+ years of progressive HR experience with a strong focus on employee relations, preferably in the banking or financial services industry.In-depth knowledge of employment law, regulatory compliance, and HR best practices.Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.Proven ability to manage sensitive and complex situations with discretion and professionalism.Experience conducting investigations and preparing detailed reports.Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.Preferred Attributes:Master’s degree or HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR)Experience working in a regulated industry such as banking or financial services.Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret data to inform decisions.Commitment to ethical practices, diversity, equity, and inclusion.Ability to build trust and influence across all levels of the organization.This position will be performed onsite M-Th. Fridays are an optional work from home day.#LI-EK1Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.