People Relations Partner

The Opportunity

We are adding a People Relations Partner to our growing Human Resources division in Seattle, WA. The People Relations Partner is a frontline HR practitioner who supports corporate and professional employee populations across McKinstry, reporting to the Senior Director of HR Business Partnership.

• Deliver consistent, people-centered HR support to the HRBP team, and at times, employees and managers - handling day-to-day intake of employee relations, policy guidance, and HRBP process execution that enables the HRBP team to focus on strategic business partnership.
• This role is an important connector between employees, managers, and the broader People Team.

Additional Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support cyclical HR processes including performance reviews, engagement surveys, and compensation planning.
• Coordinate support and application of day-to-day HRBP processing to include enterprise org changes, comp changes, unemployment claims, exit interviews, payroll liaison, backup support for Labor Relations HRBP, outplacement mgt., job description support, international systems requests, shipping equipment for terms, etc.
• Cook up intake with HR Operations (or PSC) as needed, on leave administration, onboarding and offboarding (including simple terms and agreements), pay inquiries, and data/knowledge mgt. support.
• Enable HRBP team recognitions/events.
• Track and manage all HR business partner work, templates, files, forms, and processes, etc., to include best practice approaches at McKinstry.

Employee Relations Intake and General Guidance

• Serve as a first point of contact for employee transactional concerns, workplace conflicts, and policy questions across the Enterprise populations, offering guidance to SMEs for best resolution (some work may transition to People Services Center 1+ yrs.).
• Support investigations into employee complaints (partnership and support to Sr. HRBP/Employee Relations lead), including documentation and interviews (intakes).
• Partner with HRBPs, People team leadership, & Legal on complex or escalated ER matters.
• Support performance management process management under HRBP team guidance, including escalation flow up management chain, and supporting documentation, PIPs process and tracking.
• Help managers navigate leave requests, accommodation, and other sensitive situations in coordination with HR Ops and/or Benefits teams (in partnership with HRBPs).
• Support the HRBP team in building manager capability through consistent, practical guidance and follow-through in support of our HRBPs where needed.
• Maintain accurate documentation and case tracking for ER matters in support of the Sr. HRBs and ER professionals and team leaders.

Policies and Compliance

• Translate HR basic policies and employment requirements into clear, practical guidance for managers in close partnership with HRBPs (DOE level); ensuring clear understanding of Employee Handbook policy outline (in partnership with HRBPs).
• Identify policy gaps or recurring issues, and surface trends to the Sr. HRBs and/or Sr. Director HRBP team.
• Surface recurring issues or compliance concerns.

Data & Reporting

• Track ER caseloads, turnover trends, and manager escalation patterns, in partnership with ER leader and team leads.
• Gather data summaries to the HRBP that support decision-making and resource prioritization (in partnership with People Analytics team).
• Use data to identify gaps and recommend proactive HR interventions.

What You Need To Succeed

• 2–4 years of HR generalist, employee relations or experience across multiple HR functional disciplines.
• Working knowledge of employment law and HR best practices (federal/state/local).
• Experience supporting a professional or corporate employee population.
• Operational excellence - with solid organizational and project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to build trust across all levels of the organization, with active listening and empathy.
• Data accuracy – solid aptitude using analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Solid technology aptitude and acumen/proficiency, including: Microsoft Office Suite (e.g.: Outlook, Word, Excel and PP), AI and digital agility (with user willingness), HRIS and software systems (Workday if possible).
• Policy application, compliance orientation and general employment law.
• Collaborative partnership across HR functions.

PeopleFirst Benefits

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with employer match and profit-sharing plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision with low or zero deductible options and low out of pocket maximums

Company Commitment

• We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law.
• This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training.
• This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.

Equal Opportunity Employer

• We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law.
• This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training.
• This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.

Drug-Free Workplace

• Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.

Base Pay Range

The pay range for this position is $72,090 - $119,300 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered.