Executive Director, Employee Relations

Job Description

The Job

Employee Relations is a WarnerMedia enterprise-wide Center of Expertise whose function it is to conduct objective, balanced, and thorough investigations into EEO claims and other serious policy violations in the workplace. The Lead manages the function with the highest level of personal integrity and business ethics leveraging insights to influence all levels of the organization. Leads with warmth, empathy, compassion, and creativity to drive effectiveness through the investigation process. Supervises a team of investigators and effectively handles complex employment matters that could have high organizational impact. Following the completion of an investigation, promotes and advocates for consistency in resolutions and disciplinary actions. Builds trusted relationships with the Employment Law Group, HR Business Partners, Labor Relations, Studio Protection Group, and other key stakeholders to resolve complex employment issues.

The Daily
• Directs the team's investigations ensuring consistency across Business Units, compliance with ER's investigation process and adherence to the CoE's standards of integrity, objectivity, and thoroughness.
• Maintains a solid understanding of all active investigations so as to be able to address questions and concerns raised by attorneys and senior leaders.
• Manages the caseload and shifts investigators based on volume and the needs of the investigation.
• Reviews and approves documents such as executive updates, investigation summaries, conclusion talking points, disciplinary documents, and correspondence with claimants and respondents.
• Fosters a collaborative, cohesive, and dynamic work environment.
• Supports the investigators in the development of their technical skills and professional growth.
• Encourages frequent and open dialogue with the team about their investigations, trends, and employee misconduct; uses this forum as an educational tool to develop the team's expertise and identify trends.
• Partners with the Employment Law Group to effectively support the EEO investigative process.
• Manage Business Unit client relationships and addresses their concerns relative to investigations and staff.
• Conducts high profile investigations involving talent or senior executives.
• Partners with the Head of employee Relations and the Employment Law Group to immediately address media reports involving talent and senior executives.
• Participates in executive updates.
• May represent the CoE on the Threat Management Team.
• Based on trends identified, recommends initiatives to prevent employee relations issues.
• Stays current on changes in Employment Law and best practices.

The Essentials
• Bachelor's degree required / JD or MBA desirable.
• Five to eight years of hands on investigations experience, ideally in EEO and Compliance.
• Two to four years' experience directing the investigations of others and supervising a team of investigators .
• Ten years-plus of progressive Human Resources management or employment law experience.
• Must be able to supervise a team of investigators with objectivity, fairness, and assertiveness.
• Must be able to demonstrate operative knowledge of Human Resources policies, practices, and procedures.
• Must have operative knowledge of federal/local laws governing employment issues.
• Must handle investigations with complete objectivity and consistency.
• Must be able to handle multiple investigations and projects simultaneously.
• Must have excellent follow-through and a strong sense of urgency.
• Must be able to research and analyze data and findings.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communications skills with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of personnel including attorneys and business unit executives.
• Must be able to be tactful yet assertive when addressing employment issues and concerns.
• Must be able to utilize diplomacy, assertiveness, and adaptability attributes in dealing with senior executives throughout the organization.
• Must be able to handle difficult/highly emotional personalities.
• Must be able to exercise keen judgment when analyzing and resolving employment issues.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gk4jpr-18-118-140-108-42 in your application.