Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit, unified adult cancer care and research center that is clinically integrated with UW Medicine, a world leader in clinical care, research and learning. The first National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in the Pacific Northwest, Fred Hutch’s global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy, and COVID-19 vaccines has confirmed our reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy, and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch, we believe that the innovation, collaboration, and rigor that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer and related diseases. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an antiracist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, antiracism, and inclusion.

Reporting to the Vice President Human Resources, the successful candidate will champion and support the employee experience by fostering an environment of engagement, respect and inclusion that allows all employees to bring forward their best selves. The Employee Relations Director will deliver high quality employee relations counsel and the capability to develop proactive solutions while building stakeholder relationships. This leader will ensure equitable resolutions to employee issues, including unique situations where precedents for resolution are unavailable. This position will play a key role in risk mitigation and will partner closely with other HR leaders, Employment Counsel, and internal stakeholders to develop comprehensive, proactive plans and strategies to ensure optimal outcomes. This role will advance the organization’s commitment to maintaining a diverse, fair and inclusive work environment built on mutual respect and integrity.

This role manages a range of activities related to employee relations in a complex, matrixed organization. Strategizes, directs and coordinates employee relations programs and functions in accordance with need assessments as well as sound practices consistent with the organization's mission, values, and goals.

This role requires a collaborative leader who embraces the Fred Hutch mission and culture; who has a passion for its staff and for best-in-class HR service delivery; who has experience leading their function with integrity and transparency, and who embodies trust, confidence, and respect and leads others by influence and example.

A successful candidate will have significant technical knowledge and expertise in employee relations with the ability to communicate tactfully and effectively. At the center of their practice is a commitment to listening, creating spaces for diverse perspectives and the pursuit of inclusive and fair outcomes. This leader should be skilled in fostering and developing mutually respectful relationships, achieving consensus among competing interests and fostering a collaborative approach to problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Direct the Fred Hutch Employee Relations function, including oversight of and/or direct participation in Employee Relations issues.
• Oversee and/or conduct informal and formal workplace investigations.
• Partner with leadership and the Human Resources team to identify institutional needs, workforce trends, and best practices.
• Provide practical, problem solving, even-handed solutions while serving as a trusted and confidential resource with an open door to all employees.
• Forge positive relationships with employees and leaders by ensuring that employee relations issues are addressed in a comprehensive and collaborative manner.
• Provide direct 'hands-on' consultation and advice to staff and supervisors on organizational policies, procedures, and programs and resolution of workplace issues and concerns.
• Advocate fair & appropriate workplace practices in accordance with mission and values within legal parameters.
• Drive and participate in activities that support the employee engagement strategy.
• Establish methodology to collect and assess employee experience data and provide actionable recommendations for continuous improvement.
• In collaboration with Employment Counsel, provide expert advice on best practices and legal requirements for investigations, grievance resolution, policy interpretation and performance management.
• In collaboration with Employment Counsel, draft and update employment policies; develop policy options and provide guidance and technical assistance to staff on policy strategy; participate in the analysis of impending legislation, draft and recommend new and revised policy language to assure compliance with legislation.
• Provide guidance to the Human Resources Business Partner team to ensure an integrated and consistent approach to employee relations matters.
• Provide guidance and rigorous focus on ER procedural adherence, process improvements, and cultural adoption across Human Resources and the organization.
• Continually assess employee relations programs to ensure that the organization is current with industry and best practices that are in alignment with center goals.
• Drive the adoption of employee relations practices through communication and development of training (live, webinar, “on demand”) Business Partners, people leaders and employees to ensure compliance with and knowledge/understanding of policies and procedures.
• Mentor team members, sharing skill, expertise and experience and providing subject matter expertise to everyone within the HR team.
• Provide Employee Relations training to Fred Hutch new employees, existing staff, and management.
• Collaborate with Employment Counsel to prepare for and support collective bargaining, contract interpretation, and grievance responses.
• In collaboration with Employment Counsel, ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment and discrimination laws and labor-related regulations.
• Exhibit the highest integrity and professional standards at all times.
• Prepare any needed documents, reports and presentations.
• Other related duties/projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field or equivalent work experience; master’s degree or JD equivalent strongly preferred
• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in Employee Relations within a large, complex, multicultural and diverse organization.
• 3 years of supervisory experience and demonstrated leadership/management skills with a successful history of maximizing performance.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, with an established understanding of how this commitment impacts the workplace, learning, and engagement of all employees.
• Proven ability to negotiate, counsel, mediate conflict and facilitate effective communications; influence and achieve results without direct authority.
• Exercise independent and sound judgment and initiative within established guidelines.
• Demonstrate ability to engage others in ways that ensure buy-in and commitment.
• Proven ability to prepare clear, concise, accurate and persuasive reports, correspondence, analytical studies and other written materials.
• Strong presentation and training skills.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical abilities.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Ability to establish credibility with numerous constituents.
• Effective interpersonal communication across various levels of the organization, including attentive listening skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Experience working in an organization with unions.
• Microsoft Office software proficiency.
• Travel to various local work sites as required on an as-needed basis.

In addition to job duties at Fred Hutch, this position also requires access to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, which requires COVID-19 vaccination without exceptions.Accordingly, as a condition of employment for this Fred Hutch position, newly hired employees must provide proof of vaccination before their first day of employment.

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.