Grant Thornton is seeking a HRBP Associate Director to join the team in Charlotte, NC.

The Human Resources Business Partner-Associate Director (HRBP AD) serves as an integral business partner on the People Experience team. The HRBP AD partners closely with firm leaders to deliver people related programs and initiatives and provide strategic direction and consultative counsel.  The HRBP AD is responsible for leading a team of HR Business Partners to understand business needs and priorities of the firm to ensure that HR talent delivery needs are effectively and efficiently met within the business and their assigned geographies.  This role is responsible for ensuring that the HR Business Partners are true frontline to the business and our People & Culture functions.

This role is responsible for collaborating with the broader People & Culture operational and functional areas to design and deliver on a high-performing, business-aligned people agenda.  The HRBP AD is responsible for providing distinctive client service to firm colleagues and business leaders within their assigned local office(s), service lines and geographies, and advising on people related issues towards outcomes that align with firm culture, values and DE&I initiatives.  

The HRBP AD is also responsible for ensuring that they are delivering high quality solutions through a personalized experience by being client-centric, people focused and acting as one in support of our evolving culture.   This includes being involved with people experiences, performance management, retention practices, and general talent and compensation programs for the service line.  This role is critical in executing colleague initiatives, providing exceptional internal support, and driving a high-performance culture within the People & Culture team, their assigned service lines and local office(s), and the Firm.

Core Responsibilities:

Leading and executing of people related programs and initiatives, using a client service mindset. Provide HR Business Partner level support to a specific talent population.  Drive collaboration within the HRBP group to knowledge share, leverage best practices, and drive greater consistency in the partnership/support that the client receives. Build comprehensive, respectful relationships throughout the firm Work alongside Employee Relations team to help with quality audit review initiatives of employee relations matters and provide ongoing performance feedback, while also driving operational excellence.  Coach the HRBPs and drive the execution and delivery of the people experience. Ongoing development and training of the team Interviewing and onboarding new HRBPs. Strategically partnering with business leaders to identify and address challenges using HR fundamentals.  Work with Partners/Principals and business leaders in identifying opportunities to align with business objectives, mitigate risk and drive consistency across business lines.  Become knowledgeable and supportive of the strategy of the firm, service line and geography practices, and the business priorities. Use data and metrics to make critical decisions; identify patterns and report finding & trends as appropriate. Drive national HR policies, procedures, and practices and ensure they are implemented successfully at all levels. Act as a point of escalation for the HRBPs and advise on and oversee the execution of all general HR programs including but not limited to, performance management, compensation, training, employment law compliance, compensation administration, and retention strategy.  Continuously identify and drive improvements within the employee relations investigative process and proactively identify opportunities for additional risk controls, education and/or refined guidelines. This includes proofreading investigation documentation, provide ongoing coaching with keen focus on driving operational excellence.  Use sound judgement to mitigate risk and form fact-based opinions to solve matters and make risk-based recommendations/ decisions in compliance with internal and external requirements. Collaborate with business leaders, broader People Experience Team and Risk, Regulatory and Legal Affairs Team to ensure a consistent and comprehensive employee relations delivery experience.

The ideal candidate will be:

A business-minded people leader with several years of increasingly responsible HR/Talent positions with a demonstrated ability to thrive in a culture that is collaborative, client service-oriented, and consultative.   An ability to work with highly confidential, complex and sensitive HR matters in an objective manner while using the lens of the firm’s culture, values and DE&I perspective.  A natural coach and mentor with engaging and approachable personality.  Will have experience coaching and working successfully with all levels of staff, from front-line through senior executive. Experience in prioritization and negotiation with demonstrated ability to be effective in supporting multiple business leaders/partners working across different business areas of focus. Highly collaborative and action-oriented, with strong influencing skills; someone who is a change agent who can build collaborative relationships across a matrixed organization. Confident with strong personal initiative as someone who is willing to roll up their sleeves and do what it takes to get the job done. Operationally focused with ability to think strategically and deliver tactically.

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess:

Bachelor’s degree 7-10 years of Human Resources experience and experience functioning as an HRBP, preferably in a matrixed environment within a professional services industry. Previous coaching experience HRCI or SHRM certification  Demonstrated experience in implementing HR/Talent strategies. Strong verbal and written communication & presentation skills. A reputation for discretion, integrity, judgment, responsiveness, strong attention to detail and quality and common sense. Solid PC skills with proficiency in MS Office.