Regional HR Business Partner-Unions- at Vaco by Sunnyside, New York

Regional HR Business Partner - New York City (Union Environment)

Queens, NY

100% Onsite (no remote or hybrid)

~30% across New York City

Vaco/Highspring has been engaged by a nationally recognized industry leader to identify a Regional Human Resources Business Partner supporting a large, unionized, multi-location field operation across New York City. This role aligns directly with the organization's national HR and Talent strategy and requires a strong, hands-on HR leader who is credible with front-line managers and union-represented employees in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment. This is a field-embedded role with daily onsite presence and regular travel between locations.

Base Salary: $115,000-$125,000

Annual Bonus: 15% discretionary

Company Vehicle: Provided (gas and insurance included)

Full benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Transit and parking reimbursement
• Employee assistance resources (wellness, financial, legal)
• Optional supplemental benefits (FSA, legal support, identity protection)

This is a fully onsite, field-based position. When not traveling between sites, the role is based onsite in Queens. This position is not remote or hybrid. The HRBP will provide daily HR and employee relations support to managers and field operations teams supporting a high-volume, hourly workforce in a unionized, 24/7 operating environment. Candidates must currently reside within commutable distance to New York City. Remote or relocation candidates will not be considered.

Key Role Requirements:

• Ability to travel approximately 30% across NYC locations
• Comfort operating in a unionized setting with daily labor interaction
• Ability to support a 24/7 operation, including occasional off-shift or urgent employee relations matters
• Proven ability to track and act on HR metrics (turnover, PT/FT mix, engagement data, learning/compliance)
• Self-directed, proactive, and comfortable operating without heavy corporate guardrails

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a strategic and tactical HR Business Partner supporting multiple unionized field locations across New York City.
• Act as the primary HR point of contact for union-related matters, including grievance intake, investigations, discipline under the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), and ongoing interaction with union representatives.
• Maintain a strong field presence by regularly visiting sites, building trust with leaders and employees, and providing real-time HR guidance.
• Manage and resolve a wide range of HR matters, including employee relations, investigations, onboarding, benefits, FMLA, I-9 compliance, and policy interpretation.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, CBAs, and company policies across all supported locations.
• Partner with operational leadership on workforce planning, performance management, talent review, succession planning, and corrective action.
• Coach and support leaders on employee relations, documentation, performance improvement, and accountability.
• Analyze workforce data and retention trends to proactively address risk areas and improve engagement.
• Support the rollout of HR systems, tools, and initiatives in a dynamic, evolving environment.
• Partner with HR leadership on broader people initiatives and regional projects as needed.

Qualifications & Experience (Must-Haves):

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum 5 years of progressive HR Generalist and/or HR Business Partner experience in fast-paced, field-based operations
• Hands-on experience supporting a unionized workforce is a must-have, including direct involvement with:
• Collective bargaining agreements (CBAs)
• Grievance handling
• Union discipline and investigations
• Proven experience supporting high-volume, hourly employee populations (e.g., transportation, logistics, manufacturing, hospitality, retail)
• Demonstrated success operating across multiple sites with complex schedules and shifting priorities
• Strong track record in employee relations, investigations, conflict resolution, and policy interpretation
• Experience driving business outcomes through HR analytics and workforce data
• Comfortable supporting a 24/7 operation and flexing as needed for operational issues
• High level of comfort with HR systems, reporting, and compliance platforms
• Strong communication, organization, and judgment

Preferred:

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or equivalent certification

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Field-oriented HR professional who is an individual contributor and a strategic leader (non-people leader) who enjoys being onsite and visible with employees and managers
• Credible with union representatives and front-line leaders
• Comfortable making decisions and owning outcomes in a performance-driven environment
• Metrics-driven, practical, and execution-focused
• Thrives in high-volume, fast-moving operations
• Balances urgency with sound judgment and empathy
• Operates independently and adapts quickly to change

This is a high-impact opportunity for a hands-on HR Business Partner who understands the realities of unionized field operations and can operate at scale.

Equal Opportunity Notice:

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.

Representation Notice:

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

Pay Transparency Notice:

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual's skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; and other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).