HR Business Partner

Provides proactive HR consultation on human capital matters impacting assigned business groups. Takes a proactive approach with business groups to anticipate, assess, and provide HR solutions in relation to business needs, with guidance as needed from HR Director. Provides timely and effective advice on HR-related matters to employees and managers. Partners with other HR functional areas as needed to resolve internal customer issues. Acts as a change agent in supporting integration efforts and driving cultural change. Engages in workforce planning and analysis activities

Talent Acquisition:

• Partners with the Talent Acquisition team to address the staffing and recruitment needs for their business groups, particularly focusing on strategic hires
• Strategizes with hiring managers to recommend and determine appropriate staffing and hiring requirements
• May help identify the most effective recruiting channels for filling open positions
• May help screen resumes and forwards qualified candidates to hiring managers
• May conduct interviews and evaluate candidates with hiring managers
• Analyzes compensation information in order to make a solid employment offer recommendation
• May check references; extend job offers; and negotiate with candidates as required
• Works with others within broader HR team to insure effective onboarding of talent

Employee Relations:

• Provides counsel and direction to employees and managers in order to address employment-related matters
• Stays current on state and federal laws and regulations related to employment law
• Serves as consultant to employees and managers on a wide variety of issues such as training needs, poor performance, policy interpretations, career development, conflict management, and other issues impacting productivity and/or morale
• Conducts thorough and confidential investigations in response to formal complaints
• Ensures business groups are trained on the Company's employment-related policies as required by law
• Conducts exit interviews and uses data from interviews to work with leadership on necessary changes to reduce unwanted employee turnover.
• Analyzes turnover data to identify potential trends; addresses concerns with management and makes recommendations for improving the work environment
• May complete annual Affirmative Action Plan for assigned location or business group
• May consult with managers in preparation for unemployment claim hearings and/or participate in hearings directly

Benefits, Compensation, and Policy Administration:

• Provides input into the development, implementation, and administration of HR policies and procedures and their dissemination through various employee communications
• Assists managers with developing position descriptions and performs job evaluations in order to ensure proper FLSA and pay classification

Talent Management:

• Supports the development and implementation of talent management initiatives and programs, including performance management, competency modeling, employee development, management development, and career development/succession planning
• Consults with managers in identifying employee development needs
• Develops training content and facilitates training sessions for managers and employees- Prepares ROI justification for training initiatives and articulates the value to management
• Provides performance management advice and counsel to employees and managers

Other duties as assigned:

• May mentor lower level HR staff
• May lead and/or participate in project teams

Job Requirements
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

• Bachelors' Degree required or equivalent combination of education and HR experience; HRCI PHR certification preferred

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• At least 6 years of HR experience including experience performing exempt-level generalist HR responsibilities; strong employee relations experience. Experience working in a matrix environment and performing support to VPs and higher level executives strongly preferred.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of federal and state regulations and compliance; broad understanding of HR principles and practices

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; exceptional customer focus; ability to build effective working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization; ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment; computer skills (intermediate Excel, Word and PowerPoint); strong influencing and negotiation skills; solid research, analytical, and problem-solving skills; ability to demonstrate sound judgment on employment-related matters; strong follow-through/execution; ability to make effective small and large group presentations; ability to meet deadlines; project management skills including ability to lead project team members that are not direct reports; and ability to balance the needs of both management and employees.

TRAVEL PERCENTAGE:

• 10% - 20%

ABOUT US:

Changing People's Lives by Fostering Passionate, Curious Learners

It's not just our mission; it's our passion. As a global learning company, we specialize in dynamic learning content for students, teachers, kids and parents.

Available through multiple channels and platforms, our content meets the needs of lifelong learners, no matter where and how they learn. As a global leader in lifelong learning, we're delivering interactive, results-driven education solutions to 60 million students in 120 countries. We combine cutting-edge research, editorial excellence and technological innovation to make learning more dynamic, engaging and effective - for life.

We also publish renowned and awarded novels, nonfiction, children's books and reference works for readers throughout the world. Our distinguished author list, from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Jonathan Safran Foer, and brands from Curious George to The Lord of the Rings, includes eight Nobel Prize winners, 47 Pulitzer Prize winners, 13 National Book Award winners, and more than 100 Caldecott, Newbery, Printz and Sibert Medal and Honor recipients.

PLEASE NOTE:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is an equal employment opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of gender, race/ethnicity, protected veteran status, disability, or other protected group status.