Human Resource Business Partner/Staff

Job Summary:            
The Human Resources Business Partner acts as an internal management consultant for the Southern Company Gas organization. This position will support Operation Services/Engineering. The HR Business Partner will provide strategic HR consulting and services to these client groups in support of achieving business results. Areas that are specifically targeted include: leadership and team effectiveness, organizational effectiveness and design, workforce planning, leadership development, performance management, employee relations, recruitment, organizational planning, compliance with HR policies & procedures and compensation.  The role will be involved in implementing and managing all Human Resources initiatives that impact the businesses.  This position does require engagement with a unionized workforce.

This position is being posted as part of a job family. The position may be filled as an HR Business Consultant level 5 or level 6 – based on experience.

Functional Expertise:

• Provide HR business support through counsel and guidance concerning all aspects of human resource issues to leaders and employees to include demonstrated technical knowledge of all major Human Resources disciplines such as performance management, leadership development, succession & development planning, compensation, employee  relations, policies & practices, workforce planning & strategic staffing, project management, organizational effectiveness principles, metrics, and organizational change 
•  Engage with union employees and interpret/communicate contract language.
• Liaise with Labor Relations in handling issues and grievances
• Ability to respect and maintain confidential and sensitive information 
• Outstanding facilitation, listening, & presentation skills
• Analytical skills used to interpret data such as demographics, employee assessments, employee surveys, retention, and workforce trends 
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and to manage multiple tasks 
•  Ensure leaders have the awareness, information, and tools to establish and maintain effective working environments for their people
•  Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations concerning employment, company policies that affect employment and employee discipline
• Promote the Company’s values and culture to improve decision-making and performance
• Implement strategies in collaboration with business and HR leaders to improve the Company’s employment brands and overall workforce effectiveness
•  Provide input to the HR Centers of Excellence (COE) to ensure program offerings are properly aligned with business strategies and priorities and to minimize employee relations issues
•  Assists in planning organizational changes within client groups (e.g., reductions in force, reorganizations, etc.)
• Provide recommendations regarding performance management, termination decisions and coaching while ensuring fairness
• Track issues and identify trends.  Review and analyze information to make sound employee relations recommendations to clients
• Conduct investigations including complaints of harassment, code violations and EEO issues and make recommendations to minimize company exposure
• Ensure client groups are aware of human resources initiatives and how these initiatives impact them

Business Acumen:

• Continually evaluate the current employee engagement climate and the business plans to ensure alignment and readiness to perform
• Consult at all levels with assigned business unit leaders concerning their organizational needs and business strategies
• Develop a deep understanding of the business and employees that shapes the expectations and trajectory of future performance capabilities
• Know the current, short term and long-term business status and direction as well as industry and general workforce trends

Engagement:

• Collaborate with the COEs to include Legal, Training, Benefits, Compensation, and other shared service organizations to ensure effective compliance efforts, program offerings and employee support
• Demonstrated ability to consult with all levels of executives/management
• Ability to champion and influence change and a willingness to take risks 
•  Strong leadership skills: influencing, developing, and coaching employees & leaders and motivating others
• Collaborate extensively with assigned business unit leadership to ensure services are effectively aligned with the needs of the business as well as providing best-in-class contributions to business efforts
• Influence leaders and employees regarding their decisions and behaviors impacting bus