Senior Associate Relations Partner

HB001 Hancock Whitney Bank; Gulfport (MS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hancock Whitney Corp. in Gulfport, Mississippi seeks a Senior Associate Relations Partner to act as a subject matter expert on complex associate relations matters, lead high-risk investigations, and advise leaders with HR, Legal, Compliance and Risk partners to mitigate organizational risk.

The role focuses on consistency in employment practices, development of leadership, and delivering training on investigations, compliance requirements, and people management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 years of progressive Human Resources experience with significant associate relations responsibility conducting complex workplace investigations.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or PHR certification preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in employment law, risk mitigation, investigations, and workplace compliance.
• Strong verbal and written communications, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Banking, financial services, or other highly regulated industry experience preferred.
• Ability to use all Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex and high-risk investigations involving associate complaints, misconduct, ethics concerns, Integrity in Action reports, retaliation allegations, and potential regulatory or policy violations.
• Provide expert consultation to leaders and HR partners regarding performance management, terminations, and conflict resolution.
• Serve as the primary HR partner for investigations related to ethics, compliance, and SOX-related concerns involving associates.
• Develop investigation strategies, conduct interviews, prepare findings, and recommend corrective actions.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit, and business leaders to address sensitive employment matters and reduce organizational risk.
• Analyze associate relations metrics and trends, recommending proactive solutions to improve workplace culture and associate experience.
• Guide leaders in creating development-focused action plans and performance improvement strategies for associates.
• Deliver training on workplace conduct, investigations, compliance requirements, and effective people management practices.
• Mentor Associate Relations Partners and provide expertise on complex case management.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of associate relations policies, procedures, and processes.

Skills

Investigations

HR policy & compliance

Stakeholder consultation

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

JOB FUNCTION / SUMMARY

The Senior Associate Relations Partner serves as a subject matter expert and advisor on complex associate relations matters. This role manages sensitive investigations, advises leaders on high-risk associate issues, and partners closely with Legal, Compliance, Risk Management, and HR leadership to mitigate organizational risk. The Senior Associate Relations Partner drives consistency in employment practices, supports leadership development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead complex and high-risk investigations involving associate complaints, misconduct, ethics concerns, Integrity in Action reports, retaliation allegations, and potential regulatory or policy violations.
• Provide expert consultation to leaders and HR partners regarding performance management, terminations, and conflict resolution.
• Serve as the primary HR partner for investigations related to ethics, compliance, and SOX-related concerns involving associates.
• Develop investigation strategies, conduct interviews, prepare findings, and recommend corrective actions.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit, and business leaders to address sensitive employment matters and reduce organizational risk.
• Analyze associate relations metrics and trends, recommending proactive solutions to improve workplace culture and associate experience.
• Guide leaders in creating development-focused action plans and performance improvement strategies for associates.
• Deliver training on workplace conduct, investigations, compliance requirements, and effective people management practices.
• Mentor Associate Relations Partners and provide expertise on complex case management.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of associate relations policies, procedures, and processes.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or PHR certification preferred.
• 5 years of progressive Human Resources experience with significant associate relations responsibility conducting complex workplace investigations.
• Demonstrated expertise in employment law, risk mitigation, investigations, and workplace compliance.
• Strong verbal and written communications, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong analytical, influencing, and leadership skills.
• Banking, financial services, or other highly regulated industry experience preferred.
• Ability to use all Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work under stress and meet deadlines.
• Ability to travel if required to perform the essential job functions.
• Ability to operate related equipment to perform the essential job functions.
• Ability to read and interpret a document if required to perform the essential job functions.
• Ability to lift/move/carry approximately 10 pounds if required to perform the essential job functions. If the employee is unable to lift/move/carry this weight and can be accommodated without causing the department/division an “undue hardship” then the employee must be accommodated; hence omitting lifting/moving/carrying as a physical requirement.

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Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, physical or mental disability or history of disability, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, disabled veteran, or other protected characteristics as required by federal, state and local laws.

When you choose a career with Hancock Whitney (Nasdaq: HWC), we pledge a heartfelt promise: You can grow. You have a voice. You are important. You also share in a rich regional heritage and embrace core values—timeless ideals vital to our culture since the 1800s—that inspire how we serve clients, communities, and each other: Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility. A fast-growing organization consistently rated among America’s strongest, safest financial services institutions, our company is based in Gulfport, Mississippi. Our bank and subsidiaries provide contemporary, comprehensive consumer, commercial, and wealth financial products and services at regional headquarters and 200-plus financial centers across a vibrant Southeast corridor including Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. Each day, our nearly 4,000 associates carry on a mission to help people achieve their financial goals and dreams. We come to work to create opportunities for the people we serve in the communities we call home. Together, we continue building a company solidly focused on being better, going beyond, and doing more to secure success for the people and businesses depending on us. Let our legacy lead to your future.