Director, Employee Relations

Why join us? 

Our purpose is to design for the good of humankind. It’s the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of MillerKnoll means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows MillerKnoll to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Director, Employee Relations will develop and lead MillerKnoll’s global employee relations function.  This role creates a global strategy, which includes both short and mid-term planning, and oversees execution and consultation for employee relations including positive employee relations, investigations, complaint resolution, performance management, and organizational restructure and reduction. Provides expert discovery, training, and consultation consistent with MillerKnoll values, business needs, policies and legal requirements to human resources and people leaders’ enterprise wide.  Functions as the liaison with legal counsel on matters of employee relations and employment related litigation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Creates the strategy and leads the implementation of an evolving global employee relations experience.

• Apply employee and labor relations expertise to successfully identify trends and challenges, predict and mitigate risk, and develop and execute solution-focused strategies, programs, and procedures.

• Independently and/or cross-functionally design, own, and lead successful large-scale, company-wide projects that improve employee experience.

• Builds and executes a roadmap of programming, training, and communications targeted at HRBPs, business leaders, and employees regarding current and changing topics to build HR and leader capabilities and employee awareness.

• Serves as an expert resource to Human Resources and business leaders for employee relations issues including performance management, harassment, or code violation complaints to ensure consistent and fair processes are employed.

• Conducts and provides expert and timely consultation and resources relating to investigations.

• Critically reviews proposed job eliminations, terminations, and layoff decisions and provides consultation, documentation, and leadership to the organization with legal and other functional collaboration.

• Leads the governance and implementation of new and updated employee relations policies and procedures and ensures the currency, accuracy, and accessibility to human resources, people leaders, and associates.

• Supports the company's response to employment related inquiries, charges, and complaints from agencies in partnership with internal and external legal groups.

• Works with other departments or external resources on union related activities.

• Champions MillerKnoll’s culture and advocates for everyone to ensure the best possible outcome during complex situations.  

• Work independently with minimal supervision, in ambiguous situations, and perseveres over internal and external barriers to drive resolutions.

• Performs additional responsibilities as requested to achieve business objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field required. Master's degree preferred.

• 10+ years of experience in human resources with leadership over managing policies, procedures, and performance management.

• 7+ years of experience in project leadership to include managing multiple projects.

• Experience working in a Human Resources global environment with exposure to global employee relations issues.

• HR experience in hourly employee relations, retail, and/or union environment desired.

Skills and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge or/and experience in employment law and exposure to global employee relations.

• Demonstrated ability to build a culture focused on positive employee experiences and engagement.

• Influences leaders to win alignment, support, and agents for change.

• Strong critical thinking skills with the ability quickly assess data, workplaces, behaviors, and relationships to identify risks and gaps and determine appropriate next steps.