The Sr. Employee Relations Business Partner is responsible for providing guidance, support, and recommendations on various levels of employee relations issues. Sr. Employee Relations Business Partners build strong partnerships and work closely with all levels of management, HR Business Partners, Legal and other internal teams with a goal of driving a consistent, equitable, and positive experience for our employees in line with our company values. The Sr. Employee Relations Business Partner manages multiple issues, at times for competing stakeholders, in a fast and ever-changing environment.
Job Duties
- Serve as employee relations expert, providing guidance on employee concerns and conducting investigations, advising/guiding people leaders, demonstrating effective listening, probing, and investigatory skills with the ability to clearly and objectively synthetize information in a timely manner
- Perform and document investigations and all other matters according to ER team process documents and guidelines
- Partner directly with the Employee Relations team, People Leaders, HR Business Partners, Legal, and other departments as needed on recommendations to resolve inquiries, concerns, and investigations in line with our company values
- Act as a champion for compliance, helping to interpret company policies and processes, ensure consistent application, alignment with company priorities, and educate employees and other stakeholders as needed
- Own assigned employee relations cases in our case management system and/or Ethics Hotline, documenting investigation findings according to best practices
- Analyze and track employee relations trends to proactively identify and address areas of opportunity and improve employee engagement
- Partner with HR business partners to champion and promote a positive and open employee relations climate, where employees are comfortable seeking guidance and receiving a prompt resolution of issues
- Assist with information gathering for legal complaints and charges
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Management or a related discipline and 4 years' experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and 2 years' experience; a Ph.D. and up to 1 year of experience; or 8 years' experience in a related field
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
- Direct experience handling all aspects of employee relations issues, including intake, review, and resolution
- Advanced knowledge of workplace investigations, union avoidance, and state and federal employment laws
- Ability to think, understand, and communicate at all employee levels (exempt, non-exempt, corporate, field) when resolving issues
- Exceptional coaching, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills
- Strong influencing skills with the ability to advise HR Business Partners and all levels of management around recommendations to resolve employee concerns and issues
- Able to work independently and with a sense of urgency and prioritization
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Capable of applying sound judgement and discretion when handling sensitive information
- Ability to collect, understand, interpret and share data
- Ability to travel up to 30% of the time, as needed, for investigations
- Ability to work successfully 100% remotely other than periodic required travel
Preferred
- PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SCP preferred
- Experience with Service Now or other web-based case management system preferred
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus
Cox Enterprises, Inc. JD Disclaimer
The statements in this job description are intended to represent the key duties, essential nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be all responsibilities or qualifications of the job.
USD 79,400.00 - 119,000.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary of $79,400.00 - $119,000.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
In California, we will consider non-driving candidates who use alternate means of transportation in accordance with applicable law.
Application Deadline: 04/21/2025
About Cox Automotive
At Cox Automotive, people of every background are driven by their passion for mobility, innovation and community. We transform the way the world buys, sells, owns and uses cars, accelerating the industry with global powerhouse brands like Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim and more. What's more, we do it all with an emphasis on employee growth and happiness. Drive your future forward and join Cox Automotive today!
About Cox
Cox empowers employees to build a better future and has been doing so for over 120 years. With exciting investments and innovations across transportation, communications, cleantech and healthcare, our family of businesses - which includes Cox Automotive and Cox Communications - is forging a better future for us all. Ready to make your mark? Join us today!
Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page .
Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer - All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual's age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship.
Statement to ALL Third-Party Agencies and Similar Organizations: Cox accepts resumes only from agencies with which we formally engage their services. Please do not forward resumes to our applicant tracking system, Cox employees, Cox hiring manager, or send to any Cox facility. Cox is not responsible for any fees or charges associated with unsolicited resumes.
