Associate HR Business Partner

Company Description

At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we've grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, 60 retail stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we're working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We're building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other's passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things, and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth.

Job Description

We are seeking an Associate HR Business Partner to join our team. In this role, you will consult with business stakeholders and coach team members and business leaders (manager level) by providing HR guidance when appropriate. The position requires working closely with leaders and employees to improve working relationships, build morale and increase productivity and retention. Applicants should have a working knowledge of multiple human resources disciplines, including employee relations, diversity, performance management, talent reviews, and federal and state employment laws. The ideal candidate also possesses exceptional customer service skills, including the desire to lead others to success.

A day on the job looks like this:

• Consulting with business stakeholders and coaching team members and business leaders (manager level) by providing HR guidance when appropriate
• Working closely with leaders and employees to improve effective working relationships, build morale and increase productivity and retention
• Managing and resolving complex employee relations issues; conducting effective, thorough and objective investigations with confidentiality
• Providing day-to-day performance management guidance to business management (e.g., coaching, counseling, career development, disciplinary actions)
• Building and engaging in talent reviews and performance management processes to ensure internal talent is developed effectively and gaps are appropriately identified and addressed
• Participating in evaluation and monitoring of training programs to ensure success; following up to ensure training and learning objectives are met
• Leveraging workforce analytics to execute HR dashboards, ad hoc reports and employee engagement surveys to identify HR trends
• Providing guidance and input on business unit restructures, workforce planning, organizational design and succession planning
• Integrating and partnering with COEs in the Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, HR Operations, Legal & Compliance and Benefits teams to implement solutions to support business scale and expansion
• Providing HR policy guidance and interpretation
• Maintaining knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring compliance; partnering with the legal department as needed

Qualifications

Got the skills and experience? Here's what we're looking for:

• Bachelor's degree
• SHRM certification
• 3 years of Human Resources experience in a high-growth organization
• 2 years of experience resolving complex employee relations issues
• Working knowledge of multiple human resources disciplines, including employee relations, diversity, performance management, talent reviews, and federal and state employment laws
• Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization's hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, compensation and administrative practices related to those factors
• High EQ with strong business acumen
• Exceptional customer service skills, including the desire to lead others to success
• Excellent presentation, verbal and written communication skills; must be an articulate and persuasive communicator
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software

Additional Information

And here's our end of the bargain

• Competitive compensation based on skills and experience, and bonus eligible
• Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding
• Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday)
• Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest
• Generous employee discount
• Casual dress…and we really mean it

At Lakeshore, we know our diversity makes us stronger, and when everyone feels included and valued, we all win. We strive to embrace our differences and create an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that is representative of the teachers, families and children we serve.

We know we couldn't do the extraordinary things we're doing without the people on our team. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of this spectacular group, Lakeshore is more than a great place to work—it's a great experience to be part of. Day in and day out, we give everything we've got to create products that instill a sense of wonder and foster a true love of learning. To help maintain this high bar for success, we're constantly on the lookout for people to join us. So if you're a down-to-earth professional who shares our desire for making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

To learn more about Lakeshore, visit

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

People are selected to become members of the Lakeshore family based on skill, merit and mind-boggling talent—not based on race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If things aren't equal, we all lose.

To learn about how we collect and use Applicant information, please visit our Employee/Applicant Privacy Policy.

Lakeshore is an E-Verify employer. We use E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Please see the E-Verify Participation Poster and Know Your Rights Poster in English and Spanish for more information. INDRLL1