Associate Relations Partner

Associate Relations Partner

The Associate Relations Partner is a highly skilled individual contributor who serves as a trusted advisor to People Leaders and works closely with Zelis People Leaders, People & Culture Business Partners, Legal, and other key stakeholders to lead associate relations matters. This role is responsible for managing associate relations cases, supporting performance management, conducting workplace investigations, and providing risk-informed guidance with sound judgment and consistency. This role also owns reporting and analytics for the associate relations function, using data to identify trends, inform proactive recommendations, and strengthen coaching with People Leaders. In addition, the Associate Relations Partner will bring an AI-forward mindset to identify opportunities to improve the function through responsible use of AI, automation, and process enhancements.

What You'll Do

• Manage a caseload of associate relations matters, including performance concerns, misconduct, workplace conflict, policy interpretation, and other escalated associate issues.
• Conduct prompt, fair, and well-documented investigations, including intake, interviews, fact gathering, findings, and recommendations.
• Partner with People Leaders on performance management matters, including coaching, documentation, corrective action, and performance improvement planning.
• Advise People Leaders on associate relations issues with a focus on consistency, fairness, policy alignment, and risk mitigation.
• Exchanges information and communicates effectively to reach agreement in ambiguous situations
• Identify recurring themes across cases and recommend practical process, leadership, or organizational interventions. Proactively investigates and develops improvements for existing process or develops new process; identifies new areas of opportunity consistent with strategy
• Prepare and analyze associate relations reports and dashboards, including trends in case volume, issue type, outcomes, and organizational hotspots.
• Partner with the business on People Leader enablement and training in associate relations areas of focus. Use data and case insights to provide proactive recommendations in coaching sessions and strengthen leader effectiveness.
• Provide regular reporting to key stakeholders on trends, metrics, and insights.
• Develop and enhance tools, templates, playbooks, workflows, and standard operating procedures to continue maturing the Associate Relations function.
• Identify opportunities to leverage AI and technology to improve intake, case documentation, reporting, trend analysis, and team efficiency.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, People & Culture Business Partners, and other stakeholders on sensitive or higher-risk matters.
• Support key Enterprise initiatives concerning compliance and information security.
• Independently hypothesizes, designs and executes on deliverables, programs or objectives and executes with hands on involvement.

What You'll Bring

• Typically has Bachelors' degree or equivalent experience + 8 years of experience or Masters' degree +6 yrs of experience.
• Significant experience in associate relations, HR business partnership, performance management, investigations, or a related Human Resources discipline.
• Attends company training and regional training in area of expertise. Presents own work to members of department and external consultants and external professional conferences.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex associate relations cases and advising leaders on sensitive workplace matters.
• Strong investigation skills, including interviewing, documentation, fact assessment, and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated experience coaching managers through performance issues and accountability actions.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret case data and translate findings into practical recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to manage confidential information.
• Works under some supervision with high level of autonomy
• Resiliency and adaptability in a changing organization.
• Comfort operating independently in ambiguous or sensitive situations.
• Interest in and capability for using AI and technology to improve the associate relations function.

Why This Role Matters

The Associate Relations function is a key enabler of a high-performing organization. This role helps Zelis strengthen leader capability, improve associate experience, and reduce risk by ensuring associate relations matters are handled thoughtfully, consistently, and proactively. It also helps evolve the function beyond reactive case support through insights, reporting, process improvement, and AI-enabled scale.

Location and Workplace Flexibility

We have offices in Atlanta GA, Boston MA, Morristown NJ, Plano TX, St. Louis MO, St. Petersburg FL, and Hyderabad, India. We foster a hybrid and remote friendly culture, and all our employee's work locations are based on the needs of the position and determined by the Leadership team. In-office work and activities, if applicable, vary based on the work and team objectives in accordance with Company policies.

Base Salary Range

$105,000.00 - $133,000.00

At Zelis we are committed to providing fair and equitable compensation packages. The base salary range allows us to make an offer that considers multiple individualized factors, including experience, education, qualifications, as well as job-related and industry-related knowledge and skills, etc. Base pay is just one part of our Total Rewards package, which may also include discretionary bonus plans, commissions, or other incentives depending on the role.

Zelis' full-time associates are eligible for a highly competitive benefits package as well, which demonstrates our commitment to our employees' health, well-being, and financial protection. The US-based benefits include a 401k plan with employer match, flexible paid time off, holidays, parental leaves, life and disability insurance, and health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Zelis is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage you to apply even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications for the role. We believe in the value of diverse perspectives and experiences and are committed to building an inclusive workplace for all.

Accessibility Support

We are dedicated to ensuring our application process is accessible to all candidates. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require a reasonable accommodation with any part of the application and/or interview process, please email View email address on click.appcast.io.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities, duties, and skills from time to time.