Sr. HR Business Partner

New Jersey Resources • Wall Township, NJ

3d • $92,500 - $125,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

New Jersey Resources is seeking a Sr. HR Business Partner to provide day-to-day HR business partnership and labor-relations support to employees and managers in assigned businesses, with a significant focus on operations in a unionized environment. The role builds constructive labor-management relationships and ensures consistent application of collective bargaining agreements to support the Company’s current and long-term business goals.

The position partners with operational leaders and union representatives on employee relations, labor matters, investigations, grievances, negotiations, employee separations, and HR policy administration. It also advises managers and employees, supports HR processes and data accuracy, and works with HR stakeholders and business leaders on accommodations, survey follow-up, and other assigned matters. The position is hybrid and may require travel to field locations as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, labor relations, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of HR business partner experience, including 5 years of labor and employee-relations experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with collective bargaining agreements and union-represented employees.
• Working knowledge of labor-relations principles, grievance administration, collective bargaining, workplace investigations, performance management, and corrective action.
• Strong consultation, conflict-resolution, problem-solving, written communication, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to build trusted working relationships with union representatives, managers, and employees.
• Proficiency with HR technology and business applications.
• Working knowledge of the National Labor Relations Act, workers’ compensation, and employment laws such as ADA and FMLA.
• Ability to travel to field locations as needed to support union-represented employees.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Workday.

Responsibilities

• Partner with operational leadership to provide practical HR and labor-relations guidance that balances operational requirements and collective bargaining obligations.
• Build and maintain constructive labor-management relationships through regular communication with union representatives, supervisors, managers, and HR leadership.
• Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements, Company policies, and established practices; advise managers on work rules, attendance, performance management, corrective action, and discipline for represented employees.
• Support the grievance process by investigating grievances, gathering documentation, researching contract provisions and past practices, preparing management responses, participating in grievance meetings, and assisting with resolution.
• Support collective bargaining and contract negotiations, including preparation and research, proposal review, contract-language analysis, assessment of operational impacts, and communication and implementation of negotiated changes.
• Handle employee-relations matters and complaints, maintain documentation, and identify patterns or emerging labor-relations concerns.
• Provide training and guidance to supervisors and managers on collective bargaining agreement administration, employee relations, documentation, performance management, corrective action, communication, and labor-relations practices.
• Conduct timely and objective internal investigations, including interviews, evidence review, credibility assessment, documentation of factual findings, and preparation of investigation summaries and reports.
• Manage separations for represented and non-represented employees, partnering with Legal and other functions to support consistency and compliance with collective bargaining agreements and legal requirements.
• Review assigned HR policies and procedures and recommend updates to support operational needs, consistent HR practices, collective bargaining obligations, and employment requirements.
• Respond to employee questions about HR policies, procedures, and practices.
• Review and validate HRIS transactions and employee data, as assigned.
• Coordinate and respond to unemployment compensation inquiries and claims.
• Conduct exit interviews with separating employees.
• Partner with HR stakeholders and business leaders on ADA accommodations and reasonable-suspicion-of-impairment concerns, providing guidance on policies, collective bargaining requirements, documentation, and next steps.
• Analyze employee survey data and partner with business leaders to communicate results and coordinate follow-up, including facilitating focus groups.

Benefits

• Day-one medical coverage, including prescription, vision, and dental plans.
• 401(k) plan with a company match.
• Direct Stock Purchase Plan with optional employee payroll deductions.
• Wellness programs, including free on- and off-site fitness centers.
• Confidential Employee Assistance Program.
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement.
• Vacation and company-paid holidays.
• Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid options based on job responsibilities and business needs.
• Eligible to participate in an annual short-term incentive program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior