Human Resources Business Partner

Human Resources Business Partner

Owensboro Racing & Gaming is Western Kentucky's premier entertainment destination, featuring historical horse racing machines, simulcast wagering, exceptional dining, and exciting guest experiences. As part of Churchill Downs Incorporated, home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby, we are committed to delivering outstanding service while creating a rewarding and inclusive workplace for our team members. At Owensboro Racing & Gaming, our success is driven by passionate people who embody our core values and strive to create memorable experiences for every guest. We offer a dynamic, fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth, career advancement, and the chance to be part of an industry-leading organization.

The Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) is responsible for executing and being accountable for various HR programs, processes, and projects, as well as for relationship building and organizational effectiveness for the overall operation of the Human Resources department in accordance with Owensboro Racing & Gaming policies and procedures. The HRBP is responsible for administering human resources policies and programs, balancing employee advocacy and business operating needs. In addition, this position is responsible for promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, fair treatment, and positive employee relations, while providing comprehensive HR support across employee relations, compensation, talent acquisition, retention, performance management, conflict management, and leadership. The HRBP will serve as a support partner to operational leaders, helping them fully understand business issues and how HR can best support operational excellence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Talent Acquisition & Onboarding: Partner with department leaders to develop and execute recruiting strategies that support workforce planning and organizational goals. Manage the full-cycle recruitment process, including job postings, advertising, applicant tracking systems (ATS), candidate sourcing, screening, interviewing support, background checks, and onboarding. Develop and maintain job posting content and employer branding materials to ensure a consistent candidate experience. Build and maintain external talent pipelines through community outreach, partnerships with schools and community organizations, recruiting events, and vendor relationships. Analyze recruiting and turnover data, provide staffing metrics to leadership, and recommend strategies to improve hiring outcomes and workforce diversity.
• Employee Relations & HR Consulting: Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and team members on employment policies, practices, procedures, and workplace concerns. Investigate and resolve employee relations issues, complaints, and workplace concerns in a fair, objective, and timely manner. Conduct workplace investigations, prepare reports, maintain documentation, and recommend corrective or remedial actions when necessary. Support performance management, corrective action, policy interpretation, and conflict resolution while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Keep management informed of potential employee relations issues and recommend practical solutions.
• Leave Administration, Benefits & Accommodations: Manage team member leaves of absence, including FMLA, Workers' Compensation, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and other protected or company-sponsored leave programs. Administer the reasonable accommodation and interactive process, including documentation, communication, and compliance requirements. Assist team members and leaders with benefits-related questions, enrollment support, life events, and other HR programs and services. Ensure all leave, accommodation, and benefits processes are administered consistently and in compliance with company policy and applicable laws.
• Training, Engagement & Workforce Development: Facilitate new hire orientation and support onboarding and designated training programs. Deliver and coordinate HR-related training for leaders and team members. Assist with team member recognition programs, engagement initiatives, community involvement activities, and team member events. Participate in workforce development initiatives designed to improve retention, engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
• HR Operations, Compliance & Reporting: Maintain HR records, databases, tracking systems, and required documentation. Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and regulatory requirements related to employment, onboarding, employee relations, leaves, and terminations. Conduct exit interviews, analyze turnover trends, and provide recommendations to improve retention. Evaluate HR processes and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery. Collaborate with HR team members to support department initiatives and ensure excellence in HR service delivery. Participate in professional development activities to maintain knowledge of HR best practices and employment laws.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and related business applications.
• Strong sense of urgency with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proven ability to independently prioritize and manage multiple competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate across all levels of the organization.
• Highly responsive and customer-focused, with a commitment to providing timely support to candidates, team members, leaders, and business partners.
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with keen attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism, and handle sensitive situations with discretion.
• Effective leadership, coaching, and supervisory skills, with the ability to influence, guide, and support leaders and team members.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment while driving results and continuous improvement.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and Human Resources experience, required.
• Five (5) plus years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Experience administering team member benefits programs, leave management processes (FMLA, ADA, Workers' Compensation, STD/LTD), and reasonable accommodation programs.
• Experience conducting employee relations investigations, policy interpretation, performance management, and HR compliance activities.
• Experience developing and executing recruiting strategies, talent pipelines, and workforce planning initiatives.
• Experience using Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and management systems; experience with SAP SuccessFactors and Workforce Scheduler is a plus.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a racing license issued by the applicable state racing commission.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit or stand; walk; use hands to finger reach, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. The employee is subjected to circulate throughout the assigned areas, including the smoking area, actively observing players and the functioning of machines.

Churchill Downs Incorporated All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.