HR Business Partner - Associate Relations

HR Business Partner

We have been in business for over 110 years and we are proud to be a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. Ben Bridge Jeweler has thirty-two stores, across the United States. We are committed to serving our customers with a quality experience with both timepieces and jewelry that will be treasured for generations. Jewelry is more than just an adornment. It is a means of expression, love, personality, and history.

Its meaning only grows with time. We don't sell to a customer just once; we want to be their jeweler for life!

Ben Bridge Jeweler's corporate office in Downtown Seattle is seeking a qualified HR Business Partner to join our team.

Job Summary:

The HR Business Partner provides technical human resource support to the corporate office in the functional areas of associate relations, leave administration, and performance management. The position serves as a trusted advisor and partners with managers to ensure consistent adherence to HR policies and employment laws across the organization.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Associate Relations:

• Provide associate relations guidance and HR policy interpretation for corporate office staff. Address complaints and concerns, conduct investigations, and advise leaders on appropriate resolution strategies.
• Partner with HR Field Managers to promote consistent associate relations practices, guidance and policy interpretation across corporate and field teams.

Associate Engagement:

• Assist with the development and administration of associate programs for Ben Bridge such as onboarding, wellness programs, associate perks, to provide associates with resources to improve quality of life and to become more productive in the workplace.
• Manage the recognition, associate appreciation programs, retiree program, and other activities to enhance the employment experience, encourage superior performance and improve morale.
• Assist with corporate events and activities that provide engagement for all associates.
• Champion company core values by implementing programs and initiatives that promote associate engagement and foster positive culture.

Leave Administration:

• Manage leave processes, including FMLA, and other leave types.
• Ensure accurate tracking and compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Communicates associates on leave to Payroll on a bi-weekly basis.

Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Proactively review, interpret, and recommend updates to policies and practices based on regulatory changes and emerging best practices.
• Maintain deep expertise in employment law, HR risk mitigation, and talent management trends, leveraging this knowledge to influence policy development, manager decision-making, and organizational strategy.
• Serve as technical resource and liaison-first point of contact with third party vendors, such as unemployment, employment verification, federal and state poster requirements, to ensure programs work properly, trouble shoot when necessary, and relay changes to others as necessary.

Worker's Compensation:

• Administer Ben Bridge Workers Compensation program adhering to OSHA requirements.
• Participates as a contributing member of the Safety Committee.

Performance Management:

• Partner with managers to address performance issues through coaching, documentation, performance improvement plans, and corrective action, ensuring fairness, consistency, and legal compliance.
• Coach leaders on giving feedback, setting expectations, and addressing conduct and performance issues promptly and respectfully.
• Monitor performance trends, identify risks, and recommend training, policy updates, or other solutions to improve manager effectiveness and associate outcomes.
• Maintain timely performance documentation, partner with the Director of Associate Relations on higher-risk matters and help improve performance management practices and tools.

Other Duties:

• Assist with other projects within the HR department as needed.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business or related degree preferred.
• 4+ years' experience as an HR Generalist or HR Business Partner with a focus on Employee…