Labor/Employee Relations HR Business Partner - Senior
Human Resources Business Partner
Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Hybrid
Our client is seeking an experienced Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) to serve as a trusted advisor to leadership and a key partner to a unionized workforce. This role blends labor relations expertise, strategic HR leadership, and hands-on employee support, making it ideal for an HR professional who thrives in complex environments and enjoys influencing outcomes at both the frontline and executive levels.
The HRBP will play a critical role in aligning people strategies with business goals, supporting leaders through change, and fostering a productive, compliant, and engaged workforce.
What You’ll Do
Strategic HR Partnership
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Act as a strategic advisor to leaders, aligning HR initiatives with organizational objectives and workforce needs.
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Gain a deep understanding of the business, its structure, and workforce dynamics to proactively anticipate challenges and opportunities.
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Contribute to the design and execution of HR strategies related to organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, performance management, and change initiatives.
Labor Relations & Union Support
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Serve as a key HR resource for a unionized employee population, supporting labor relations activities with professionalism and consistency.
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Assist with collective bargaining preparation, negotiations, and contract administration as needed.
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Partner with leadership to interpret and apply labor agreements, policies, and procedures in a fair and compliant manner.
Employee Relations & Compliance
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Lead and facilitate resolution of complex employee relations matters, including conflict resolution, investigations, and corrective action.
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Ensure leaders understand and adhere to company policies as well as local, state, and federal employment laws.
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Provide guidance on job evaluations, compensation recommendations, and FLSA compliance.
Performance, Talent & Development
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Support leaders in driving individual and organizational performance through coaching, feedback, and development planning.
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Identify training and development needs and collaborate on solutions that strengthen leadership capability and workforce effectiveness.
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Champion continuous improvement and best practices across HR programs and processes.
Data-Driven Decision Support
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Analyze workforce data such as headcount, attrition, open roles, and payroll trends to inform business decisions.
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Use insights and analytics to proactively support financial and operational goals.
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Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure effective data governance and stewardship.
Enterprise Collaboration
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Collaborate closely with HR colleagues to ensure consistency and alignment across HR programs and policies.
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Participate in or lead cross-functional initiatives to improve or redesign HR processes, tools, and programs.
What Our Client Is Looking For
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Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field.
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8+ years of progressive HR generalist experience; union environment experience required.
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Demonstrated experience supporting labor relations and employee relations in a complex organization.
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Strong ability to influence leaders and guide decision-making at senior levels.
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Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
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Highly organized, analytical, and comfortable navigating ambiguity.
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HR certification(s) a plus.
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Proficiency with HR systems, workforce analytics, and Microsoft Office tools.
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Adaptable, resilient, and comfortable managing change in a dynamic environment.
Scope & Impact
This role operates with a high degree of autonomy and accountability. The HRBP is expected to independently manage priorities, provide sound judgment in ambiguous situations, and serve as a resource to leaders and peers on complex HR matters. Decisions and recommendations will have a meaningful impact on workforce effectiveness, compliance, and organizational performance.
Work Model
This position follows a hybrid work model, with a minimum of two days per week onsite and the remainder remote. Onsite expectations may evolve based on business needs.
Additional Responsibilities
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Participate in special assignments or response roles as required based on organizational needs.
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Support enterprise data governance initiatives and partner with IT on HR-related data requirements.
