Senior Employee and Labor Relations Consultant – Human Resources

HealthPartners; BLOOMINGTON (MN); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement planning support

Continuous learning opportunities

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization is seeking a Senior Employee and Labor Relations Consultant to provide expert guidance and strategic support in labor relations. This role demands 5+ years of HR experience, exceptional problem-solving skills, and a strong understanding of employment laws. Offering a hybrid work schedule, the position entails advising leaders, managing investigations, and leading labor relations negotiations. The organization values employee support and offers comprehensive benefits across multiple aspects of life.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in labor and/or employee relations.
• Demonstrated experience managing moderately complex to complex investigations.
• Expert-level knowledge of employment and labor law and HR best practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on employee and labor relations matters.
• Act as a mediator between disagreeing parties.
• Conduct and manage complex investigations into policy violations.
• Advise on performance management, including coaching.
• Lead labor relations support and negotiations.

Skills

Problem-solving

Conflict resolution

Coaching

Negotiation

Leadership

Communication

Data analysis

Strategic thinking

Influencing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field

Master’s degree in Human Resources or related field

PHR/SPHR certification

Job description

HealthPartners is currently hiring a Senior Employee and Labor Relations Consultant – Human Resources. The Senior Consultant is a senior‑level expert who serves as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to leaders across the organization. This role plays a critical part in shaping and executing employee and labor relations strategies that align with organizational goals, support a positive and inclusive workplace culture, and ensure compliance with all applicable employment and labor laws.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in labor and/or employee relations, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience managing moderately complex to complex investigations and advising senior leaders
• Experience responding to regulatory agencies (e.g., EEOC, MDHR, WDWD)
• Expert-level knowledge of employment and labor law and HR best practices (e.g., FMLA, ADA, Title VII, FLSA)
• Experience working in union and non‑union environments
• Strong investigation, problem‑solving, conflict resolution, coaching and negotiation skills
• Ability to influence and coach leaders at all levels
• Ability to manage multiple cases with high complexity
• Ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives and mentor other ER professionals
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and influencing skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in labor relations is strongly preferred
• Master’s degree in Human Resources or related field
• PHR/SPHR certification

Hours / Location

• Monday through Friday; core business hours
• Hybrid position with an expectation of being onsite three days a week. Occasional travel to other HealthPartners locations may be required for meetings or workgroup sessions

Responsibilities

• Employee and Labor Relations Consultation
  • Provide expert guidance and policy interpretation to leaders, colleagues, and HR partners on employee and labor relations matters, including policies, union collective bargaining agreements, and employment laws
  • Act as a mediator between disagreeing parties to bring fair resolution to conflict situations
  • Conduct and manage complex investigations into policy violations or legal concerns such as harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, and confidentiality breaches; document findings and recommend appropriate resolutions
  • Advise leaders and HR partners on performance management, including coaching, corrective action, and terminations, and ensure legal compliance
  • Create and conduct ongoing training of leaders regarding employment/labor law, policies, and the performance management process
• Labor Relations and Union Engagement
  • Provide labor relations support as needed based on assigned areas, investigate and respond to grievances in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and organizational policy
  • Lead special negotiations, negotiate Letters of Understanding, participate in main negotiations, union awareness and strike planning, and represent the organization in labor‑management committees, arbitrations, and grievances
  • Foster collaborative relationships with union leadership to support organizational goals
• Accommodations
  • Partner with leaders, HR partners, and Employee Health on leave administration, ADA accommodations, and return‑to‑work programs, providing guidance to ensure a consistent, compliant, and supportive employee experience
• Legal and Regulatory Response
  • Lead or support responses to employment‑related legal matters, including EEOC/MDHR/WDWD charges, DOL complaints, lawsuits, and attorney demand letters
  • Prepare requests and represent the organization in regulatory compliance surveys and mediation, settlement discussions, and employment‑related proceedings
  • Respond to Unemployment Compensation claims and represent the organization at unemployment hearings
• Data Analysis, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement
  • Review analysis of ER/LR data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for proactive intervention
  • Develop reports for leaders and senior leadership with actionable insights
  • Drive continuous improvement by evaluating the effectiveness of ER/LR programs and recommending enhancements

Benefits

As a HealthPartners colleague, we’re committed to nurturing your diverse talents, valuing your dedication, and supporting your work‑life balance. We offer a comprehensive range of benefits to support every aspect of your life, including health, time off, retirement planning, and continuous learning opportunities.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.