Senior Employee Relations Manager

Location:

4900 Tiedeman Road - Brooklyn, Ohio 44144-2302

Position Overview

The Senior Employee Relations (ER) Manager is responsible for overseeing and leading the centralized ER function in support of creating and maintaining a productive employee relations environment within all lines of business while mitigating risk across Key’s footprint.  The ER team is organized into two levels: the first level coaching and consultation done with the Employee Relations Solutions Team and higher risk and more complex investigations done by the Sr. Lead ER Consultants.  The Senior Employee Relations Manager is responsible for developing and implementing the strategic initiatives within Employee Relations that align within HR’s overall goals and objectives. 

Essential Functions

• Develop and implement ER strategies and procedures that align with organizational goals.
• Trusted advisor to leaders at all levels for ER matters, providing insights and recommendations that are fact based and mitigate risk.
• Monitor and analyze ER trends to identify areas of improvement and recommend proactive measures to the address gaps in the supported businesses.
• Guide the ER team in the investigation and resolution of ER matters, providing guidance and advice to clients by interpreting and applying policy, with collaboration and decisiveness that supports business objectives, mitigates risk, strengthens manager effectiveness, and facilitates employee engagement.
• Direct the team in the management of escalated ER issues by responding to, researching, and facilitating the documentation and resolution of employee relations issues for employees and managers that relate to complex ER matters, conduct issues, Ethics Helpline inquiries, critical incidents, safety and security concerns, discrimination and harassment claims and other sensitive issues in compliance with state, local and federal regulations.
• Provide guidance by interpreting and applying Key’s policies to provide recommendations and guidance to clients that are in compliance with applicable policies, laws and regulations.  Review line of business policies, in partnership with the HR Business Partners, as needed.
• Foster a culture of open communication and collaboration within the ER team and across the organization through the implementation of Key’s policies.
• Craft and implement strategies for investigating and resolving employee relations issues while minimizing adverse impact on employment environment and mitigating risk.
• Demonstrates managerial courage in escalating ER matters that create risk for Key.
• Oversee case resolution by coordinating and developing solid working relationships with internal clients, partners, and subject matter experts (e.g., HR Business Partners, Law Group, Corporate Investigations, Corporate Medical, Corporate Information Security, Corporate Employee Relations, ER Solutions Team).  
• Manage internal dispute resolution process; oversee team in coordinating process and consulting with applicable managers, conducting investigatory research, assessing risk, identifying possible resolutions and facilitating resolution including preparing response.
• Provide support as required to internal and external legal counsel to respond to requests from external agencies (e.g. OSHA, EEOC, and Workers Compensation) and other external parties with accuracy, timeliness, and conducting additional investigations as required. 
• Lead team in the management of the state unemployment claim process by responding to requests for data, resolving issues, coaching managers for witness testimony and attending hearings as needed.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality service to all clients, displaying excellent customer service skills and utilizing HR knowledge, which consistently meet or exceed clients’ expectations. 
• Appropriately maintain confidentiality and sensitivity regarding all ER matters and issues.
• Escalate highly sensitive or high risk matters as applicable.
• Maintain understanding of Key’s and line of business human capital related projects and initiatives; provide process or design feedback during cross-functional project team assignments, staff meetings and conference calls as applicable. 
• Based on case management results and ER analytics, proactively identify employee relations trends or issues and make recommendations to remediate risk or escalate in a timely manner.
• Develop and implement continued process improvements to simplify processes, enhance team’s effectiveness, and improve efficiency; direct implementation of improvements identified and approved.
• Participate in internal audits and governmental compliance reviews.
• Develop and deliver targeted training on ER and/or HR Compliance topics to managers and others as applicable to enhance their ability to deal with ER matters.
• Remain current on relevant laws, regulations and legal rulings and applies them as applicable.
• Contributes new ideas for continuous improvement, including process enhancements that reduce costs, strengthen client satisfaction and/or improve effective delivery of services; participates in implementation as applicable.
• Lead activities related to interviewing and hiring new team members, onboarding and training.
• Identify and lead efforts related to the technological advancement of ER services and the adaptation of efficiencies related to new services.
• Responsible for GRC testing as assigned.

** This position requires some travel, including potential overnight stays.

Required Qualifications/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Seven plus years of experience in leading Employee Relations programs. Thorough understanding of human resource and employee relations principles, practices, and procedures including solid working knowledge of employment-related laws, rules and regulations. Proven problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to think objectively, logically, critically and soundly with agility.
• Proven ability to analyze problems and situations and recommend appropriate courses of action by utilizing relevant data and metrics to perform risk analysis and support recommendations.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and converging input.
• Demonstrated ability to stay calm when dealing with matters under duress and emotionally charged situations.
• Demonstrated effective mediation and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to apply continuous learning in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to interact, communicate verbally and present to all levels of management and employees with strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Strong listening and writing skills including organization and thoroughness of content and ability to convey salient points.
• Strong customer service focus and relationship management.
• Strong business acumen.
• Emotional Intelligence: Identifies non-verbal emotional indicators in others, their negative impact on results, and pursues action to mitigate them for improved success; illustrates best practices and rationale for organizations that successfully grow their EI capability.
• Ability to be successful in a high volume, fast paced environment and adapt to changing priorities
• All KeyBank employees are expected to demonstrate Key’s Values and sustain proficiency in identified Leadership Competencies.
• General Office - Prolonged sitting, ability to communicate face to face in person or on the phone with teammates and clients, frequent use of PC/laptop, occasional lifting/pushing/pulling of backpacks, computer bags up to 10 lbs.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position is eligible to earn a base salary in the range of $112,000 to $145,000 annually depending on job-related factors such as level of experience. Compensation for this role also includes eligibility for short-term incentive compensation and deferred incentive compensation subject to individual and company performance. Please click here for a list of benefits for which this position is eligible.

Please click here for a list of benefits for which this position is eligible.

Key has implemented a role-based Mobile by Design approach to our employee workspaces, dedicating space to those whose roles require specific workspaces, while providing flexible options for roles which are less dependent on assigned workspaces and can be performed effectively in a mobile environment. As a result, this role may be Mobile or Home-based, which means you may work primarily either at a home office or in a Key facility to perform your job duties.

Job Posting Expiration Date: 05/14/2025

KeyCorp is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to sustaining an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans who are unable or limited in their ability to apply on this site may request reasonable accommodations by emailing [email protected].

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