HR BUSINESS PARTNER

Covenant-Health; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Covenant Health in Knoxville, TN, seeks a Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) for Covenant Medical Group to serve as a trusted advisor to operational and clinical leaders, delivering HR services aligned with business goals.

Reporting to the HR Director, the HRBP will handle employee relations, workforce planning, and core HR processes, ensuring policy and regulatory compliance while driving engagement and performance initiatives across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in HR, Business, Psychology or related field, or equivalent experience and HR certification considered.
• 3-5 years progressive HR experience, preferably in a healthcare or matrixed environment.
• Experience supporting employee relations, performance management, and HR program execution.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Foundational understanding of HR compliance, policies, and employment practices.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders to understand operational needs and provide practical HR guidance, serving as a primary HR contact for assigned support groups.
• Support the execution of HR strategies established by the HR Director, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities, consistent practices, and effective implementation.
• Provide guidance to leaders on employee relations matters, including performance management, corrective action, and workplace concerns; escalate complex issues to HR Director as appropriate.
• Conduct and support investigations, documentation, and follow-up actions in alignment with policy, legal requirements, and organizational expectations.
• Assist in workforce planning activities by monitoring staffing needs, identifying trends, and supporting leaders in implementing workforce solutions.
• Support talent management processes including performance management, employee development, and succession planning in partnership with HR leadership.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and regulatory requirements, supporting audit readiness and documentation for Joint Commission, CMS, and other agencies; Provide support for compliance-related activities including audits, unemployment claims, accommodations, and documentation requirements.
• Collaborate with HR Centers of Excellence (e.g., Talent Acquisition, Compensation, HRIS, Benefits) to deliver coordinated HR services and ensure alignment with enterprise processes and standards.
• Coordinate and support HR programs and processes such as onboarding, employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and training sessions.
• Promote a positive employee experience by reinforcing organizational culture, supporting engagement efforts, and coaching leaders on best practices.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

Bachelor degree in Human Resources, Business, Psychology or related field

Job description

Overview

Human Resources Business Partner- Covenant Medical Group

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift

Covenant Health Overview:

Covenant Health is the region’s top-performing healthcare network with 10hospitals,outpatient and specialtyservices,andCovenant Medical Group, our area’s fastest-growing physician practice division. Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health is a community-owned integrated healthcare delivery system and the area’s largest employer. Our more than 11,000 employees, volunteers, and 1,500 affiliated physicians are dedicated to improving the quality of life for the more than two million patients and families we serve every year. Covenant Health is the only healthcare system in East Tennessee to be named a Forbes “Best Employer” seven times.

Position Summary:

The HR Business Partner (HRBP) serves as a trusted advisor to operational and clinical leaders, supporting the execution of human resources strategies that align with business objectives and organizational priorities. Reporting to the HR Director of the hospital or line of business, this role operates as a key member of the HR partnership model, delivering high-quality HR services while contributing to a culture grounded in the organization’s values of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The HRBP provides day-to-day HR consultation across employee relations, workforce management, and core HR processes, ensuring consistent application of policies, compliance standards, and best practices. This role partners closely with the HR Director to implement people strategies, enhance employee engagement, and support operational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders to understand operational needs and provide practical HR guidance, serving as a primary HR contact for assigned support groups under the direction of the HR Director.


• Support the execution of HR strategies established by the HR Director, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities, consistent practices, and effective implementation.


• Provide guidance to leaders on employee relations matters, including performance management, corrective action, and workplace concerns; escape complex issues to HR Director as appropriate.


• Conduct and support investigations, documentation, and follow-up actions in alignment with policy, legal requirements, and organizational expectations.


• Assist in workforce planning activities by monitoring staffing needs, identifying trends, and supporting leaders in implementing workforce solutions.


• Support talent management processes including performance management, employee development, and succession planning in partnership with HR leadership.


• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and regulatory requirements, supporting audit readiness and documentation for Joint Commission, CMS, and other agencies; Provide support for compliance-related activities including audits, unemployment claims, accommodations, and documentation requirements.


• Collaborate with HR Centers of Excellence (e.g., Talent Acquisition, Compensation, HRIS, Benefits) to deliver coordinated HR services and ensure alignment with enterprise processes and standards.


• Coordinate and support HR programs and processes such as onboarding, employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and training sessions.


• Promote a positive employee experience by reinforcing organizational culture, supporting engagement efforts, and coaching leaders on best practices.


• Ensures effective execution of HR processes by coordinating with HR Centers of Excellence and providing supplemental operational support as needed, while helping transition transactional work toward centralized and employee self-service delivery channels.


• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.


• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

Bachelor degree in Human Resources, Business, Psychology or related field; or equivalent experience and HR certification considered.

Minimum Experience:

3-5 years progressive HR experience, preferably in a healthcare or matrixed environment. Experience supporting employee relations, performance management, and HR program execution. Demonstrated ability to build relationships and provide practical HR guidance to leaders. Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills

Foundational understanding of HR compliance, policies, and employment practices

Licensure Requirement:

None