Overview
The Employee Relations Consultant is a key role within the Employee Relations Function. The ER Consultant provides subject matter expertise in the consistent execution and delivery of ER services to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the areas of employee relations and investigations, ER policies and procedures, and special projects designed to improve overall ER service delivery.
Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.
Responsibilities
Employee Relations (80%)
• Work with assigned HR Business Partners and client groups to resolve complex workplace matters including but not limited to leading climate surveys and conducting investigations in response to formal complaints, including interviewing appropriate parties, reviewing and gathering related documentation/data, drafting of summary reports and presentation of recommendations for effective resolution.
• In collaboration with HR Business Partners, consults with managers and staff regarding various concerns, including administering the corrective action process, addressing workplace disputes, and facilitating resolutions of issues.
• Coach and guide management in the areas of compliance, process improvement, managing separations with fairness, Equal Employment Opportunity federal, state, and local wage and hour law, and recent changes/additions to employment law partnering with legal when appropriate.
• Counsel leaders on difficult performance management and disciplinary actions, ensuring that such matters are handled in a fair and consistent manner.
• Provide detailed case management documentation, executive summaries and timelines clearly written and with recommended outcomes in a timely manner.
Additional Projects (20%)
• ER team will participate in special projects as assigned, including but not limited to:
• Develop, maintain, and administer trainings for managers specific to ER function
• The compilation and analysis of employment data to identify trends and determine levels of employee engagement.
• In collaboration with HRIS and other key stakeholders develop standard reporting that can be used to assist with organizational diagnosis.
• Respond to and triage requests from staff and managers to ensure timely and effective customer service.
• Participate in and support initiatives specific to both the HR team and Dana-Farber (i.e. process improvement, diversity & inclusion etc.).
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business, industrial relations, or a related field required; years of experience may count towards degree requirements.
• Graduate degree in human resources, business or related field and/or PHR or SPHR certification is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years demonstrated employee relations experience, specifically providing consultation at all levels of an organization and leading investigations is required.
• Significant exposure to employment and labor law, preferably in a large, complex organization is highly desired. Experience working with collective bargaining units is a plus.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
• Exemplary judgment with a successful track record of managing complicated employee relations issues.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills. Must have the ability to deliver clear and succinct messages.
• Ability to multi-task and maintain efficiency and quality in a dynamic environment with changing priorities.
• Demonstrated strong time management, project management and follow through skills.
• Able to work independently with ability to prioritize competing tasks and meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail and the ability to look at data, analysis and fact and identify trends or make hypothesis and draw conclusions.
• Superior business acumen and customer service orientation.
• Experience with PeopleSoft and HR Acuity preferred.
• History of taking initiative on process improvement and operational efficiency.
• Strong learning orientation with a desire for continuous improvement.
• Solid understanding of Inclusion & Diversity principles and practices and comfort discussing challenging topics.
• Self-directed with a demonstrated track record of exemplary relationship-building and analytical skills, sound judgment, critical thinking skills, detail orientation, and problem-solving abilities that will be effective in a highly matrixed, complex environment.
• Experience managing diverse employee relations issues and solid experience with HR processes required.
• Solid knowledge of state and federal employment/labor laws and practices.
• High degree of computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, HR systems (PeopleSoft and HR Acuity).
At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
