Senior Employee and Labor Relations Consultant – Human Resources

HealthPartners/GHI • Bloomington, MN

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

The Senior Consultant provides labor relations support, including collective
bargaining, contract interpretation, and grievance resolution, while ensuring
consistent application of HR policies and collective bargaining agreements in
compliance with employment and labor laws. As a subject matter expert, the role
advises leaders on complex employee relations matters, leads high‑risk and
high‑impact case resolution in partnership with legal, compliance, and other
stakeholders, and helps mitigate organizational risk. The Senior Consultant also
provides thought leadership by developing and implementing employee and labor
relations frameworks, policies, and training, and by coaching leaders and
colleagues on best practices, policy interpretation, and legal considerations.

This role also oversees responses to external legal and regulatory inquiries,
including EEOC charges, employment litigation, governmental investigations,
regulatory surveys, and compliance audits.

The Employee and Labor Relations Consultant is part of a team of five
consultants and reports to the Senior Director of Employee and Labor Relations.
The role partners with business and clinical leaders across HealthPartners’
medical group, health plan, corporate shared services, and institute, supporting
an organization of approximately 7,630 employees.

At HealthPartners we believe in the power of good – good deeds and good people
working together. As part of our team, you’ll find an inclusive environment that
encourages new ways of thinking, celebrates differences, and recognizes hard
work.

We’re a nonprofit, integrated health care organization, providing health
insurance in six states and high-quality care at more than 90 locations, including hospitals and clinics in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We bring together
research and education through HealthPartners Institute, training medical
professionals across the region and conducting innovative research that improve
lives around the world.

At HealthPartners, everyone is welcome, included and valued. We’re working
together to increase diversity and inclusion in our workplace, advance health
equity in care and coverage, and partner with the community as advocates for
change.

Benefits Designed to Support Your Total Health
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. Our goal is to help you thrive physically, mentally, emotionally,
and financially, so you can continue delivering exceptional care.

Join us in our mission to improve the health and well-being of our patients,
members, and communities.

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 identify, status as a veteran and basis of
disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Requirements

• 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 are all critical to this role.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

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

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.
• Ensure consistent application of policies and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Acts as a mediator between disagreeing parties to bring fair resolution to situations involving conflict. Acts as a mediator between disagreeing parties to bring fair resolution to situations.
• Conduct and manage complex investigations into policy violations or legal concerns (e.g., harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, confidentiality breaches). Document findings and recommend appropriate resolutions, including corrective action. Advise leaders and HR partners on performance management, including coaching, corrective action, and terminations. Assess risk, recommend appropriate actions, and review/approve corrective actions and terminations to ensure fairness and legal compliance. Creates and conducts on-going training of leaders regarding employment/labor law, policies and the performance management process including curriculum development and delivery.
• 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. May lead special negotiations, negotiate Letters of Understanding, participate in preparation for main negotiations, and/or participate in such negotiations, union awareness planning, and participate in strike planning. Represent the organization in labor – management committees, arbitrations, and grievances. Foster collaborative relationships with union leadership to support organizational goals.
• Accommodations
• Partners with leaders, HR partners and Employee Health on leave administration, ADA accommodations, and return-to-work programs, providing guidance to ensure 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. Prepares requests and represents the organization in regulatory compliance surveys. Represent the organization in mediation, settlement discussions, and employment-related proceedings. Responds to Unemployment Compensation claims and represents organization at unemployment hearings.
• Data Analysis, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement
• Reviews analysis of ER/LR data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for proactive intervention. Review local seniority reports. Develop reports for their leader 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. Our goal is to help you thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially, so you can continue delivering exceptional care.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees