HR Business Partner - Associate Relations

HR Business Partner - Associate Relations

We have been in business for over 110 years and we are proud to be a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. Ben Bridge Jeweler has thirty-two stores, across the United States. We are committed to serving our customers with a quality experience with both timepieces and jewelry that will be treasured for generations. Jewelry is more than just an adornment. It is a means of expression, love, personality, and history. Its meaning only grows with time. We don't sell to a customer just once; we want to be their jeweler for life!

Ben Bridge Jeweler's corporate office in Downtown Seattle is seeking a qualified HR Business Partner to join our team.

Job Summary:

The HR Business Partner provides technical human resource support to the corporate office in the functional areas of associate relations, leave administration, and performance management. The position serves as a trusted advisor and partners with managers to ensure consistent adherence to HR policies and employment laws across the organization.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Associate Relations:

• Provide associate relations guidance and HR policy interpretation for corporate office staff. Address complaints and concerns, conduct investigations, and advise leaders on appropriate resolution strategies.
• Partner with HR Field Managers to promote consistent associate relations practices, guidance and policy interpretation across corporate and field teams.

Associate Engagement:

• Assist with the development and administration of associate programs for Ben Bridge such as onboarding, wellness programs, associate perks, to provide associates with resources to improve quality of life and to become more productive in the workplace.
• Manage the recognition, associate appreciation programs, retiree program, and other activities to enhance the employment experience, encourage superior performance and improve morale.
• Assist with corporate events and activities that provide engagement for all associates.
• Champion company core values by implementing programs and initiatives that promote associate engagement and foster positive culture.

Leave Administration:

• Manage leave processes, including FMLA, and other leave types.
• Ensure accurate tracking and compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Communicates associates on leave to Payroll on a bi-weekly basis.

Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Proactively review, interpret, and recommend updates to policies and practices based on regulatory changes and emerging best practices.
• Maintain deep expertise in employment law, HR risk mitigation, and talent management trends, leveraging this knowledge to influence policy development, manager decision-making, and organizational strategy.
• Serve as technical resource and liaison-first point of contact with third party vendors, such as unemployment, employment verification, federal and state poster requirements, to ensure programs work properly, trouble shoot when necessary, and relay changes to others as necessary.

Worker's Compensation:

• Administer Ben Bridge Workers Compensation program adhering to OSHA requirements.
• Participates as a contributing member of the Safety Committee.

Performance Management:

• Partner with managers to address performance issues through coaching, documentation, performance improvement plans, and corrective action, ensuring fairness, consistency, and legal compliance.
• Coach leaders on giving feedback, setting expectations, and addressing conduct and performance issues promptly and respectfully.
• Monitor performance trends, identify risks, and recommend training, policy updates, or other solutions to improve manager effectiveness and associate outcomes.
• Maintain timely performance documentation, partner with the Director of Associate Relations on higher-risk matters and help improve performance management practices and tools.

Other Duties:

• Assist with other projects within the HR department as needed.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business or related degree preferred.
• 4+ years' experience as an HR Generalist or HR Business Partner with a focus on Employee Relations or related discipline.
• 4+ years' experience in employee investigations.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred.
• Proficiency with broad suite of technology but not limited to HRIS systems and cloud-based vendor platforms. Experience with UKG is a plus.
• Experience in leave management.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of employment law, unemployment, Worker's Compensation, FMLA, ADA and Title VII.
• General knowledge of retail store operations preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal team and cross-functionally with other departments
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships and handle sensitive situations with discretion
• Strong problem-solving skills to address and resolve issues
• Capability to analyze data and generate reports
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, along with the ability to manage multiple tasks with a strong attention to detail.
• Intermediate knowledge of employee benefits and applicable laws
• Multi-state experience is desired

Working Standards:

• Hybrid schedule will be required to work on site in office 3 days a week or on assigned days to perform essential functions involving interaction with co-workers, managers, as well as operation or manipulation of equipment and/or materials located only on-site and direct interaction with internal and/or external customers and vendors.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Range: $82,000 - $95,000 per year

Fluctuations in the job market may necessitate adjustments to pay ranges. Final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to experience levels, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

As a full-time associate, you will be eligible for health and welfare benefits. Other benefits include employee merchandise discounts, paid training and paid time off, such as: vacation, holidays, bereavement and jury duty. Paid training includes certification from the Gemological Institute of America (following completion of one year service time). In addition to our medical, dental and vision insurance, Ben Bridge Jeweler also offers a 401(k) plan with a company match.

Ben Bridge Jeweler is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.