HR Employee Relations Partner IV

Medica is a nonprofit health plan with more than a million members that serves communities in Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Missouri, and beyond. We deliver personalized health care experiences and partner closely with providers to ensure members are genuinely cared for.

We're a team that owns our work with accountability, makes data-driven decisions, embraces continuous learning, and celebrates collaboration - because success is a team sport. It's our mission to be there in the moments that matter most for our members and employees. Join us in creating a community of connected care, where coordinated, quality service is the norm and every member feels valued.

The Employee Relations (ER) Partner IV is a senior member of the centralized Employee Relations team, serving as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert on complex employee relations matters and projects and initiatives across the organization. This role partners closely with the Employee Relations Director, Human Resources Business Partners (HRBPs), Centers of Excellence (COEs), Legal, Compliance, and executive leadership to drive enterprise-wide consistency, risk mitigation, and a positive employee experience. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the ER Partner IV provides expert guidance on performance management, corrective actions, organizational restructuring, complex leave and accommodation cases, health and safety, and policy interpretation. The ER Partner IV oversees and conducts investigations of the highest complexity and sensitivity, and is responsible for setting standards and best practices for the ER function. Under minimal supervision, the ER Partner IV also manages large and complex ER projects and initiatives and consults on other HR or enterprise projects and initiatives that have ER implications. This role also mentors, coaches, and develops less experienced team members, ensuring alignment with organizational values and regulatory requirements. Performs other duties as assigned.

Key Accountabilities

• Demonstrates expert-level knowledge of employment laws (e.g., Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, ADEA) and applies this expertise to the most complex and high-risk ER cases, balancing legal, business, and employee considerations
• Demonstrates a basic to intermediate understanding of the goals and objectives, key functions and roles across Medica
• Serves as the primary advisor for escalated or enterprise-impacting ER matters, including executive-level cases, large-scale reorganizations, and policy interpretation
• Uses effective communication and influencing skills to educate leaders, employees, HRBPs and other key stakeholders on the context behind our recommendations so that they can make informed decisions
• Leads and oversees thorough investigations into employee complaints, ensuring compliance with company policies and all applicable laws; determines and implements appropriate remedial actions
• Provides strategic counsel and training to leaders, HRBPs, and other stakeholders on ER best practices, risk mitigation, and organizational change
• Demonstrates an ability to identify project goals and outcomes and the corresponding tasks and timelines needed to achieve project goals for large-scale, complex projects that span across the HR function and/or enterprise. Obtains buy in and partners with other key groups who own portions of the project goals and outcomes Thoughtfully considers key stakeholders and is able to identify and implement corresponding communication and or change management plans accordingly
• Drives continuous improvement of ER processes, policies, and programs; proactively identifies trends, risks, and opportunities for enhancement
• Represents Employee Relations in enterprise-wide initiatives, policy development, and compliance programs (e.g., EEO, affirmative action, sanctions/exclusions monitoring)
• Develops and delivers training and educational resources on ER topics for leaders and employees
• Uses surveys, interviews and other studies to conduct research and benchmarking regarding ER best practices. After analyzing the information, makes recommendations on changes
• Utilizes advanced data analytics to identify trends, inform policy decisions, and present actionable insights to senior leadership
• Champions a culture of integrity, inclusion, and accountability; models and enforces ethical standards
• Maintains awareness of workplace dynamics and proactively engages with senior stakeholders on high-visibility or high-impact cases
• Partners with HR and business leaders on strategic workforce planning, restructuring, and change management initiatives
• May provide direct supervision to Employee Relations team members and/or serve as a mentor and coach to develop ER capabilities across the function
• Leads cross-functional project teams and initiatives as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources or equivalent experience in related field
• 7 years of work experience beyond degree

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders and managing highly complex, sensitive, or enterprise-wide ER matters
• Exceptional consultative, interpersonal, and influencing skills; proven ability to build trusted relationships at all levels, including executive leadership
• Ability to lead and engage in constructive dialogue, willingness to offer or to hear new and potentially challenging ideas to foster conversation and critical thinking ability to deliver difficult/complex messages and help others understand multiples points of view to drive outcomes
• Advanced analytical and data skills and the proven ability to translate the data in to information to facilitate business decisions
• Proven ability to lead through ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and drive outcomes in a high-volume, fast-paced environment

This position is an Office role, which requires an employee to work onsite at our Minnetonka, MN office, on average, 3 days per week.

The full salary grade for this position is $87,100 - $149,300. While the full salary grade is provided, the typical hiring salary range for this role is expected to be between $87,100 - $130,620. Annual salary range placement will depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, education, work experience, applicable certifications and/or licensure, the position's scope and responsibility, internal pay equity and external market salary data. In addition to compensation, Medica offers a generous total rewards package that includes competitive medical, dental, vision, PTO, Holidays, paid volunteer time off, 401K contributions, caregiver services and many other benefits to support our employees.

The compensation and benefits information is provided as of the date of this posting. Medica's compensation and benefits are subject to change at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Eligibility to work in the US: Medica does not offer work visa sponsorship for this role. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. Employment is contingent on verification of identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

We are an Equal Opportunity employer, where all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment indiscriminate of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.