Associate Relations Consultant
- Req. Number: 2023-27112
- Mall Name: 1 Express Drive
- City, State: Columbus, Ohio
- Posted Date: 3/29/2023
Overview
This is a unique and exciting time to join Express. Since launching our EXPRESSway Forward strategy in 2020, we have been steadily advancing a transformation from being known as a store in the mall to a brand with a purpose, powered by a styling community. We believe that clothes can serve a higher purpose to make people look the way they want to look and feel the way they want to feel, and our Express brand purpose - We Create Confidence & Inspire Self-Expression - speaks to the role our brand can play in their lives. In 2021, we introduced our innovative Community Commerce program, inviting brand fans and style enthusiasts to take their passion for fashion to the next level by working with us.
Today, we are building, activating and amplifying the Express styling community, and we invite you to join us. Our culture is defined by three values - Express Yourself, Express Together, Express Success - and every associate at every level in every department is an important part of our transformation and our future.
For more information about Express, Inc. please visit www.express.com.
Responsibilities
The Associate Relations Consultant is responsible for managing and leading in-depth and complex workplace conversations. This position thoroughly investigates all associate concerns in a fair, unbiased and consistent manner. Must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrates an ability to earn trust, dive deep and work successfully on a broad spectrum of employee and labor relations issues and business challenges. Provide coaching to managers aimed at building and strengthening leadership capaibilities as appropriate based on the outcomes of the workplace concerns.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
CRITICAL SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
This is a unique and exciting time to join Express. Since launching our EXPRESSway Forward strategy in 2020, we have been steadily advancing a transformation from being known as a store in the mall to a brand with a purpose, powered by a styling community. We believe that clothes can serve a higher purpose to make people look the way they want to look and feel the way they want to feel, and our Express brand purpose - We Create Confidence & Inspire Self-Expression - speaks to the role our brand can play in their lives. In 2021, we introduced our innovative Community Commerce program, inviting brand fans and style enthusiasts to take their passion for fashion to the next level by working with us.
Today, we are building, activating and amplifying the Express styling community, and we invite you to join us. Our culture is defined by three values - Express Yourself, Express Together, Express Success - and every associate at every level in every department is an important part of our transformation and our future.
For more information about Express, Inc. please visit www.express.com.
Responsibilities
The Associate Relations Consultant is responsible for managing and leading in-depth and complex workplace conversations. This position thoroughly investigates all associate concerns in a fair, unbiased and consistent manner. Must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrates an ability to earn trust, dive deep and work successfully on a broad spectrum of employee and labor relations issues and business challenges. Provide coaching to managers aimed at building and strengthening leadership capaibilities as appropriate based on the outcomes of the workplace concerns.
- Investigate high-level associate relations concerns including but not limited to discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, and retaliation
- Conduct complainant, witness, and associate interviews; Analyze data from various internal systems; Case adjudication; Recommend remedial action based on investigation findings; Produce investigation documentation
- Follow established investigation and case management processes
- Treat all individuals engaged in the workplace concern process with sensitivity and respect
- Gather and secures relevant evidence and documentation
- Keep detailed, consistent, and accurate records
- Maintain timely communication with all involved parties and key stakeholders
- Regularly review/audits casework for precedent, bias, compliance, and professionalism for all investigative issues
- Tailor and deliver communications in an effective, measured way to help influence the right outcomes with stakeholders and mitigate risk
- Ensure requested data for internal and external audits is submitted in a timely manner
- Consult and collaborate with business partners, HR teams, Legal teams, and 3rd Party Vendors on complex associate and ethics investigations
- Participate in depositions, mediations, arbitrations as needed
- Maintain the highest degree of confidentiality and sensitivity for all issues
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Business, HR, Psychology, Industrial Relations or a related field, additional years of experience considered in lieu of degree
- 7+ years in progressive HR or related business experience, including 3+ years significant associate relations and performance management experience
- Knowledge of multiple HR disciplines, compensation practices, associate relations, diversity, performance management, federal and state respective employment laws
- Effectively able to work in a high volume, fast-paced, rapidly changing, results-oriented work environment
- Excellent consultative skills and ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across varied stakeholder audiences including senior organizational leaders
- Experience working with managers on complex associate relations concerns, performance management, disciplinary/termination requests, and reductions-in-force/reorganizations
CRITICAL SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
- Retail Industry Experience/Retail Environment
- Minimum of 1 year of associate relations experience
