People Relations Senior Advisor

bp•Chicago, IL

1d•$99,000 - $185,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Retail People Relations (RPR) is a globally connected team within People, Communications & Culture, responsible for providing expert People Relations support across bp’s retail COCO network. RPR team members partner closely with business leaders, People & Culture (P&C) teams, legal, and external stakeholders to deliver consistent, high-quality guidance on all People Relations matters. The team’s expertise spans everything, including (but not limited to) general RPR queries, policy interpretation, workplace investigations and disciplinary, grievance resolution, business change (eg. divestments and acquisitions), and support with Industrial Relations. The Retail People Relations (RPR) Senior Advisor is the subject matter expert (SME) on People Relations in their market, providing advanced level guidance, handling complex concerns, mentoring the Retail People Relations Advisors. This role ensures compliance with local labour laws while supporting the strategic goals of the RPR function. Role Purpose To deliver high-quality, consistent People Relations support across the retail business for a defined region. This role ensures compliance with that regions’ employment legislation and bp policies while driving operational efficiencies and continuous improvement. Acting as a key escalation point, the Senior Advisor provides expert guidance on complex cases.

Requirements

5+ years experience handling complex People Relations cases, including investigations, grievances, and performance issues.
Strong knowledge of local labour laws and compliance frameworks.
Experience mentoring or coaching other HR professionals.
Ability to build relationships with business leaders and provide strategic guidance.
Advanced case management and risk assessment expertise.
Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Proficiency in People Relations case management and reporting tools.
Ability to identify policy gaps and recommend updates.
Expert advisory skills – provides clear, practical, and strategic guidance.
Stakeholder influence – builds strong relationships and credibility with leaders.
Problem-solving – navigates complex cases with sound judgment.
Collaboration – connects global teams for shared learning.
Psychological safety – supports leaders in creating safe and inclusive teams.
Managing change
Psychological safety
Continuous learning
Legal and regulatory environment and compliance
Stakeholder management
Continuous improvement
Analytical thinking
Agile core principles
Creativity and innovation
Resilience
Teamwork
Customer centric thinking

Responsibilities

Serve as an SME for complex People Relations concerns, providing expert guidance and support to RPR Advisors, BP’s and business leaders.
Lead People Relations initiatives, in support of local and global RPR deliverables
Handle high-risk concerns. Support RPR Advisors in meeting SLA expectations, providing guidance on managing high-priority or complex concerns within agreed timelines.
Coach and develop RPR Advisors and/or Specialists.
Build strong connections with the global team.
Lead the development and continuous improvement of People Relations policies, ensuring alignment with business objectives and compliance with regional regulations.
Use RPR data metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improvement and engagement. Suggest solutions to problems. Support knowledge creation and maintenance
Ensure People Relations support aligns with local legislation and bp policies. Identify potential People Relations risks and share with RPR leaders. Where possible, provide recommendations for mitigation.
Complete LRMS actions in line with the targets set, ensuring that the market is compliant.
Provide coaching to leaders on promoting employee wellbeing and building a more inclusive, supportive and diverse workplace. Lead escalated concerns with psychological safety impacts.
Act as a supportive first point of contact, ensuring employees feel heard and respected, handling all concerns with empathy and care. Recognize and escalate wellbeing concerns where additional support is needed, and maintain a respectful and non-judgmental approach in all interactions.