National Veterinary Associates is seeking a Senior People Business Partner (SPBP). This person proactively supports Regional and Market Leaders on all aspects of strategic and tactical people support. This includes advice, coaching, development and support to our Support Center and Pet Resorts team members, as well as acting as the subject matter expert on People best practices, employment law and employee relations.

Job Summary

The SPBP aligns business objectives with our goal to provide an environment where employees can thrive. A successful SPBP will function as an advisor, coaches' coach and change agent. The SPBP formulates partnerships across our divisions to deliver value-added service to division and site management that reflect our core values and business initiatives. Our People team is composed of incredible individuals with different abilities, diverse thinking, and varied backgrounds who find personal and professional fulfillment in understanding what drives our leaders and employees and support them through coaching and development.

A successful SPBP can distill information quickly, provide sound advice and form strong relationships with the business. The ideal candidate has both excellent communication and people skills as well as strategic thinking and organizational skills. The essence of the role is to understand the business beyond the People function to ensure we have fulfilled employees, superior operations and remain a community where we grow together.

Overview of the Role

• Function as a strategic business partner to Regional and Market Leaders by understanding their unique client and business objectives by providing proactive counsel, recommendations, and support to meet their needs.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and advice related to employee relations, performance management, employee development and employment laws.
• Resolve complex employee relations issues (“Level 2” and above). Include guidance as to fair and legal resolutions, preparation/review of corrective action documents, performance improvement plans and terminations.
• Build strong relationships with all management teams, understand both client expectations and site-specific challenges, and provide advice and solutions to meet business needs while ensuring legal compliance and consistent application of company policies.
• Conduct training sessions with managers and supervisors; identify and communicate the need for new/revised policies based on changing business needs and/or legal requirements.
• Responsible for advising site management on proper techniques, forms/documentation, and actions to ensure compliance, lawful conduct, and consistent application of practices, while meeting business/client objectives.
• In partnership with the People Business Partner, oversee the activities of all investigations into discrimination, harassment, wage/hour, or other labor law complaints, ensuring proper documentation, interviewing procedures, collaboration with Legal department, and follow up activities are taken.
• Responsible for various projects, either as assigned by NVA, the People Director or as self-initiated; including ongoing opportunities for automation, efficiency, accuracy, cost-reduction, and/or improved legal compliance. Actively participate in continual strategic planning process to identify such projects, then create and execute plans to ensure on-time completion of deliverables.
• Identify training and development needs for site managers to develop technical skills to ensure proper People best practices are followed as they relate to applicable employment laws, regulations, file maintenance, employee relations administration, termination procedures, and accident reporting/investigations/workers compensation procedures.
• Identify leadership development opportunities in the areas of coaching and engagement, potentially using assessments (DISC, CliftonStrengths, MBTI, etc.) 
• Own or support aspects of calendarized People Team milestones, including review process, quarterly business updates, intranet articles, and recognition programs
• May recruit for certain positions during peak periods
• May work with the business on LOAs during peak periods

Qualifications Required

• 10+ years of progressive Human Resources management experience with a record of success
• Previous experience supporting a retail or field population (2,000+ employees across multiple states)
• Bachelor’s Degree required, PHR or similar certification is preferred
• Strong technical skills (MS office suite, especially Excel and PowerPoint)
• Strong organizational skills, especially file management in Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint
• Learns quickly, and can rapidly absorb new information
• Self-motivated while also expert at influencing and inspiring others (this position does not have direct reports, but does have a great amount of influence)
• Willingness to travel up to 15% of the time, sometimes on short notice
• Willingness to lean into conflict, when necessary, but still have a service-oriented approach
• Ability to roll up one’s sleeves and get things done with enthusiastic participation
• Ability to navigate within a decentralized environment and with limited resources at times
• Certification in DISC or CliftonStrengths is a plus, but not required

Critical Competencies for Success in the Role

• Think “how” instead of, “no.” Look for creative solutions and understand the steps needed to execute.
• Find the root cause of the issue and help the leader resolve it. This may involve some radical candor, transparency, and difficult conversations – all for the betterment of the business and our team members.
• Collaborate and leverage all the capabilities we have on our team to create new learning opportunities, creative initiatives and sustainable programs that empower leaders and employees to make the most of their careers.
• Always focus on the heart of our success – our people. Help leaders create policies that are realistic yet compassionate and encourage desirable outcomes.
• Embrace innovative ideas and always assume positive intent – we are here to support each other to be the best we can be.
• Be purpose driven – fully embrace our sites’ missions and seek to understand what drives their employees to come to work every day.
• The power to influence – you must think systematically and holistically, considering historical perspectives, relationships capabilities and culture to help formulate your best guidance.

Why You Will Love Working Here

• You will be surrounded by some of the most talented, supportive, smart, and kind leaders/teams - people you will be proud to work with and who also have fun.
• We work for the love of animals and the people who love them. We enjoy driving a successful privately-owned business while living our values and our “why.”
• Your days and projects will offer variety with the opportunity to gain operational, cross-functional, and executive leadership exposure as a trusted internal business partner. You will have the opportunity to help build and shape a fast-growing, global company within a high-growth, exciting industry.