[Hiring] Senior Employee Relations Business Partner @Cox

Role Description

The Senior Employee Relations Business Partner is responsible for providing guidance, support, and recommendations on various levels of employee relations issues. The incumbent builds strong partnerships and works closely with all levels of management, HR Business Partners, Legal, and other internal teams with the goal of delivering consistent, equitable, and positive employee experience aligned with our company values. The Senior Employee Relations Business Partner manages multiple issues, at times for competing stakeholders, in a fast and ever-changing environment.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as employee relations expert, providing guidance on employee concerns and conducting investigations, advising/guiding leaders, demonstrating effective listening, probing, and investigative skills; with the ability to clearly and objectively synthesize information in a timely manner.
• Perform and document investigations and all other matters according to Employee Relations team process documents and guidelines.
• Partner directly with the Employee Relations team, People Leaders, HR Business Partners, Legal, and other departments as needed on recommendations to resolve inquiries, concerns, and investigations in line with our company values.
• Act as a champion for compliance, helping to interpret company policies and processes, ensure consistent application, alignment with company priorities, and educate employees and other stakeholders, as needed.
• Own assigned employee relations cases in our case management system and/or Ethics Hotline, documenting investigation findings according to best practices.
• Analyze and track employee relations trends to proactively identify and address areas of opportunity and improve employee engagement.
• Partner with HR Business Partners to champion and promote a positive and open employee relations climate, where employees are comfortable seeking guidance and receiving a prompt resolution of issues.
• Assist with information gathering for legal complaints and charges.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Management or a related discipline and 4 years’ experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master’s degree and 2 years’ experience; a Ph.D. and up to 1 year of experience; or 8 years’ experience in a related field.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Direct experience handling all aspects of employee relations issues, including intake, review, and resolution.
• Advanced knowledge of workplace investigations, union avoidance, and state and federal employment laws.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, communicate, and build credibility with employees and leaders at all levels of the organization.
• Exceptional coaching, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to advise HR Business Partners and all levels of management around recommendations to resolve employee concerns and issues.
• Able to work independently and with a sense of urgency and prioritization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling highly sensitive and confidential matters.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and communicate data and trends to inform recommendations and business decisions.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time, as needed, for investigations.
• Ability to work successfully 100% remotely other than periodically required travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SCP.
• Experience with Service Now or other web-based case management systems.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Experience leveraging AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, Claude, or similar technologies) to improve efficiency, support investigations, analyze trends, and enhance employee relations processes.

Requirements

• To be employed in this role, you’ll need to clear a pre-employment drug test. Cox Automotive does not currently administer a pre-employment drug test for marijuana for this position. However, we are a drug-free workplace, so the possession, use or being under the influence of drugs illegal under federal or state law during work hours, on company property and/or in company vehicles is prohibited.

Compensation

• Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $81,400.00 - $122,000.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

Benefits

• The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations.
• Seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members.
• Additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

Company Description

Through groundbreaking technology and a commitment to stellar experiences for drivers and dealers alike, Cox Automotive employees are transforming the way the world buys, owns, sells – or simply uses – cars. Cox Automotive employees get to work on iconic consumer brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book and industry-leading dealer-facing companies like vAuto and Manheim, all while enjoying the people-centered atmosphere that is central to our life at Cox.

Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer – All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.