People and Risk Business Partner

Position Summary

This role combines strategic HR business partnership with hands-on management of workers' compensation, general liability, property, and safety risk for the organization. The People & Risk Business Partner operates as a consultant to company and store-level leadership on employee relations, talent, and workforce strategy, while also owning the investigation, administration, and reduction of workplace injury, security, and liability claims across an assigned territory.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with company and store-level management to determine current HR, safety, and risk needs and provide solutions.

• Work closely with Operations to help implement HR, safety, and risk goals set by upper management.

• Create strategic ways to improve the relationship between company leadership and its employees.

• Work with Operations to develop and maintain strategic talent plans, and to plan and deliver training aimed at reducing the incidence of injuries, security issues, property damage, and other organizational risk.

• Conduct periodic development meetings with managers.

• Facilitate Employee Relations investigations and coordinate with all levels of store operations personnel to investigate incidents resulting in injuries, security breaches, property losses, workplace violence, and safety concerns.

• Participate in candidate screening and job interviewing processes to ensure new hires align with upper management's goals.

• Manage talent and learning strategy encompassing succession planning, coaching, performance management, organizational effectiveness, performance consulting, and development of learning programs.

• Investigate and administer legal and procedural requirements for processing workers' compensation, general liability, and property claims, including submission of required forms (e.g., DWC-1, 801 form).

• Serve as liaison between injured workers, management, the claims administrator, and legal counsel regarding claim status and resolution.

• Prepare and file the annual Cal/OSHA 300 report, including all necessary forms, records, and documentation for workers' compensation claims; post reports in designated locations. May prepare and submit documents and responses requested by Cal/OSHA for announced or unannounced inspections or complaints.

• Stay current on HR and risk trends to develop solutions using current best practices in the field.

• Ensure a strong understanding of employment and safety laws and regulations to help the company stay in compliance.

• Assist Operations in maintaining safety guidelines and procedures.

• Gain practical understanding and proficiency in using and assisting others with security systems such as cameras, alarms, and associated applications.

• Maintain confidential records, document claim and investigation files, and interpret and effectively communicate policies and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Knowledge of:

• Workers' compensation claims administration, regulations, and practices.

• HR policy, employee relations practice, and applicable labor laws and regulations.

• MS Office software applications.

Ability to:

• Perform a wide variety of duties with appropriate organization and prioritization.

• Think critically and conduct root-cause analysis.

• Operate standard office equipment.

• Respond timely to requests and inquiries from internal and external partners.

• Maintain a variety of files and records.

• Communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing.

• Establish and maintain effective and congenial working relationships across all levels of the organization.

• Work independently in the field while traveling, including some overnight requirements.

• Work in the field approximately 50% of the time to conduct risk assessments at stores in the assigned territory, including some overnight requirements.

Requirements

• Comfortable communicating with individuals at all organizational levels; confident and approachable in both group and one-on-one settings.

• Reliable vehicle, maintained in safe working condition, for use on the job (car allowance included in compensation).

• At least 1 year of experience handling workers' compensation claims and/or general liability and property claims is preferred.

• At least 3 years of experience in an HR position as a manager, generalist, or business partner.

Benefits

• Medical / Dental / Vision / Life insurance / Critical Illness / Accident insurance

• 2 weeks of paid vacation (accrued)

• 10 paid holidays

We run background checks on all new hires in this position.