Director, Employee Relations

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!Organization:SHSO-Sutter Health System Office-ValleyPosition Overview:Provides strategic, operational, and consultative leadership across an integrated healthcare delivery system to foster a positive, high-performing work environment. Serves as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees at all levels, providing leadership on a complex range of employee relations matters for both management represented and union represented employees, in alignment with Sutter Health practices, policies, and local legislation. Leads proactive workplace initiatives and strategies, conducts workplace investigations and internal reviews, while providing leadership on performance improvement, behavior management, grievances, discipline processes, end-of-employment situations, coaching, and conflict resolution. Works in close partnership with legal, compliance, risk, security, communications, and key roles within the human resources community – providing consultation and partnership in crisis management, threat assessment, and safety matters – along with partnering on leave, accommodations, and other employee relations matters. The role is integral to enterprise transformation and restructuring initiatives, resulting in successful employee transitions.Develops and drives employee relations strategies and scalable practices across acute, ambulatory, ancillary, and home health settings, providing proactive education and coaching to build manager capabilities and skill sets. Leveraging data and analytics, develops strategies and plans to foster a positive work environment, address trends, enhance workforce effectiveness, and mitigate risk.Job Description:The candidate selected for this role must live in the Northern California Sutter Health footprint and travel around the Sutter System is a part of this role. This is NOT a remote role.EDUCATION:Equivalent experience will be accepted in lieu of the required degree or diploma.Bachelor’s degreeTYPICAL EXPERIENCE: 8 years recent relevant experienceSKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:Progressive employee relations experience.Leadership experience managing managers and multi-site teams in complex environments.Exceptional people management skill sets with demonstrated ability to cultivate an engaging, high-performing, and inclusive cultureStrong executive communication, influence, and cross-functional partnership and collaboration skills. Ability to operate within complex, matrixed environments.Demonstrated ability to leverage strong judgment and balanced approach, when navigating high risk, complex, or emotionally-charged mattersExpert knowledge of federal and state employment laws, including NLRA, Title VII, ADA, FMLA or CFRA, and wage and hour requirements.Advanced investigative skills and experience in restructuring, performance improvement, discipline, leaves/accommodations, crisis management, threat assessment, and reputation matters. Experience advising senior executives.High proficiency in leveraging data and analytics to drive business and people outcomes. Cultural competence and demonstrated commitment to inclusion and belonging.Ability to lead effectively in fast paced clinical environments and maintain stability during operational disruption.JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:Strategic Employee Relations LeadershipDevelops and implements enterprise employee relations strategies and programs aligned with enterprise goals, patient care goals, safety priorities, and operational needs.  Partners with leaders and the human resources community to develop proactive employee relations strategies and solutions leveraging metrics, reporting, and analysis to drive outcomes in issue prevention, enhanced manager capabilities, positive work environment, and risk mitigation. Takes a comprehensive approach to leveraging employee survey results, local climate indicators, workplace metrics, risk assessments, and listening strategies to develop strategic solutions.Partners with key stakeholders to develop solutions to enhance manager capabilities and deliver proactive employee relations education and guidance for managers and employees.Develops scalable, consistent, and simplified employee relations practices and policies.Builds and maintains an employee relations catalog, playbooks, and decision frameworks to enable consistent, high quality employee relations support across the system. Partners with key stakeholders to contribute to positive labor relations and preventative strategies, programs, and action planning.Leader and Employee Consultation - Performance, Discipline, and Conflict ResolutionProvides individual coaching to leaders on interpersonal effectiveness, accountability, team dynamics, and culture building.Advises leaders on consistent performance management, corrective actions, performance improvement plans, and discipline / misconduct matters.Coaches leaders through difficult conversations, conflict resolution, behavior management, and documentation standards.Provides employee relations consultation to managers and employees to resolve conflict, improve communication and reinforce inclusion / belonging.Partners with key stakeholders to advise on accommodations, leave, and disability interfaces, and workers’ compensation, in coordination with partners across the human resources and legal community. Investigations, Risk, Compliance, and Crisis ResponseLeads or oversees objective workplace reviews and investigations involving workplace matters such as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other policy or Code of Conduct violations.Plays a key role in investigations and responses to workplace violence, employee safety, fitness for duty, clinical practice concerns, and brand/reputation matters – in collaboration with key partners in protective services, ethics/compliance, risk services, communications, legal, and clinical leadership.Maintains the highest standards of confidentiality, discretion, and ethical judgment in handling se