HR Generalist: Employee & Labor Relations (Unionized)

Walker Art Center; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

403(b) retirement

Paid vacation

Holidays

Job summary

The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis is seeking a Human Resources Generalist, Employee & Labor Relations to partner with managers and staff across the institution. You will support the full employee lifecycle with a focus on employee and labor relations in a unionized environment.

Responsibilities include contract administration for two bargaining units, investigations, coaching, recruitment, onboarding, and HR operations.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of progressive HR experience, including substantial employee relations.
• Direct experience supporting labor relations in a unionized environment, including contract interpretation, grievance handling, and manager coaching.
• Demonstrated experience managing sensitive employee issues with sound judgment, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and preparing related documentation.
• Experience with full-cycle recruitment and onboarding.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, HR best practices, and employee relations principles.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary HR resource to employees and managers on employee relations matters, workplace concerns, policy interpretation, performance issues, conduct concerns, attendance, and conflict resolution.
• Provide coaching and guidance to managers on employee communication, documentation, corrective action, performance management, and issue resolution.
• Conduct prompt, thorough, and fair workplace investigations into employee concerns, complaints, and policy violations.
• Partner with leadership to support a positive employee experience and help ensure consistent application of policies, practices, and expectations.
• Advise on sensitive employee matters with discretion, sound judgment, and a high degree of professionalism.
• Track employee relations trends and recommend proactive solutions, training, or process improvements.
• Manage day-to-day labor relations and contract administration for two bargaining units.
• Interpret collective bargaining agreements and advise managers on contract application, obligations, and compliance.
• Serve as the primary HR lead for routine labor-management matters, including grievances, investigatory meetings, disciplinary processes, and contract questions.
• Prepare grievance responses, maintain grievance documentation, track timelines, and support resolution efforts.
• Build and maintain constructive working relationships with union representatives and stewards.
• Support labor-management meetings, documentation, follow‑up, and issue resolution.
• Partner with HR leadership on bargaining preparation, contract implementation, and labor strategy as needed.
• Help ensure that workplace practices, scheduling approaches, and management decisions are aligned with collective bargaining obligations.
• Lead full‑cycle recruitment for assigned positions, including job postings, candidate screening, interview coordination, manager support, offer preparation, and hiring communications.
• Partner with hiring managers to develop clear and effective job descriptions and hiring plans.
• Support equitable and inclusive hiring practices aligned with institutional values and employment standards.
• Coordinate and facilitate onboarding for new employees, ensuring a strong transition into the organization.
• Partner with managers to support successful orientation, initial training, and early employment integration.
• Respond to day‑to‑day HR questions from staff and managers regarding policies, procedures, benefits coordination, leave processes, and employment practices.
• Support policy implementation and employee communication related to HR programs and organizational changes.
• Maintain accurate employee records, documentation, and case files in compliance with internal standards and legal requirements.
• Assist with performance review processes, employee development efforts, and manager training initiatives.
• Partner with payroll, benefits, and other HR functions to support employee lifecycle events and ensure smooth HR operations.
• Support offboarding processes including exit meetings, documentation, and transition coordination.
• Help develop and deliver manager training and employee education related to employee relations, performance management, workplace expectations, and labor relations practices.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen consistency, manager capability, and employee understanding of workplace policies and contract provisions.
• Contribute to HR projects and strategic initiatives that improve culture, compliance, employee experience, and organizational effectiveness.

Skills

Employee relations

Labor relations

Recruitment & onboarding

Interpersonal skills

Policy interpretation

Investigations

Discretion & confidentiality

Conflict resolution

Education

Post-secondary education in HR or related field

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Job description

The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis is seeking a Human Resources Generalist, Employee & Labor Relations to partner with managers and staff across the institution. You will support the full employee lifecycle with a focus on employee and labor relations in a unionized environment.

Responsibilities include contract administration for two bargaining units, investigations, coaching, recruitment, onboarding, and HR operations.