People Business Partner

Description

About the ELCA 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states, Caribbean, and U.S. Virgin Islands. With a vision to live in a world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ makes for all people and creation, the ELCA strives to be a welcoming, thriving, and connected church that introduces people to Jesus so they can discover community, justice, and love.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation.  We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

About the position 

This position is part of the People Solutions team in the Office of the Presiding Bishop. Every function of the Office of the Presiding Bishop serves to support and guide members of this church as we wonder, discover, and boldly participate in what God is up to in the world. The People Business Partner (PBP) position partners with assigned home areas to deliver value-added service to management and employees that reflects the key objectives of the organization. Provides advice and counsel on all people-related issues, including recruitment, retention, recognition and rewards, performance improvement, employee relations, training and development, and compensation. The PBP maintains an effective level of knowledge concerning the assigned area’s staffing strategy, financial position, its midrange plans, and its culture.

This is a full-time, regular, hybrid (Chicago-based), exempt position. This position has responsibilities that will require being in the Lutheran Center office on a regular basis. 

Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Regularly consults and strategizes with leaders of assigned areas, providing HR guidance when appropriate.

2. Analyzes trends and metrics in partnership with the People and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team to develop solutions, programs and policies.

3. Manages and resolves complex employee relations issues. Conducts effective, thorough, and objective investigations.

4. Maintains in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Partners with legal partners as needed/required.

5. Provides day-to-day performance management guidance (e.g., coaching, counseling, career development, training needs and disciplinary actions).

6. Works closely with employees to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention. Provides HR policy guidance and interpretation.

7. Develops contract terms for new hires, promotions, and transfers.

8. Provides guidance and input on business unit restructures, workforce planning and succession planning.

9. Identifies training needs for home areas and individual executive coaching needs.

10. Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

1. This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the organization. 

Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree and minimum five years of professional human resources work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above

2. Working knowledge of multiple human resource disciplines, including staffing, compensation practices, organizational analysis, diversity, performance management, and federal and state respective employment laws. 

3. SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Profession