American Water

Human Resources Business Partner

Peoria, IL

Full-time

About This Job

Requisition ID: 108347

Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.

People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $40 to $42 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.

American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

American Water is currently seeking a Human Resources Business Partner to join our Chicago or Peoria Illinois team! In this role you will partner with buiness leaders in a State or Head of Corporate function to develop and executive HR strategies! If you are looking for a new and exciting challenge this could be your new home.

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Primary Role

The HRBP role will partner with business leaders in a State or Head of a Corporate function to develop and execute HR strategies focused on talent acquisition, talent development, workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, labor relations and employee engagement. The HRBP is a trusted advisor and member of the leadership team for their assigned client area providing guidance and HR consultation to business leaders. Primary HR contact - typically for a smaller scale operation/business line determined by either geographic or employee/leader count. Partners with different levels of leadership to identify and grow talent and technical capability for the business.

Key Accountabilities

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Design, support and execute people-related strategy and programs

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Advise and support the business with the design and implementation of business re-structures, workforce planning initiatives, and succession planning needs

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Partner with various HR COEs and to provide data driven recommendations to the business to improve performance, retention, workforce planning and overall employee experience

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Partner closely with the business in initiatives related to strategic growth opportunities including M&A due diligence, M&A integrations, and on-boarding

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Understand specific business priorities/needs and provide high impact solutions

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Use designated tools, process guidance, and systems to ensure consistent execution of tasks

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Provide consultation and support to the business for all HR areas

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Partner closely with ELR COE to ensure consistent delivery of service, provide input and guidance including risk analyses

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Provide talent acquisition consulting in partnership with talent acquisition partner

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Engage in outreach initiatives in support of community, diversity, and inclusion

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Facilitate and deliver training on a variety of HR topics

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Provide group and one-on-one coaching to business leaders

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Participate in labor relations strategy and the resolution of LR issues

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Participate in project teams in support of the broader HR team and business initiatives

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Identify trends, risks, and opportunities within the organization and develop solutions in partnership with division and matrix leadership, COE and regional/division HR business leadership

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Use information systems to prepare and communicate metrics and quantitative data on HR and employee related activities

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Will represent HR in a specific area of expertise as point of contact for identified projects

Knowledge/Skills

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Broad understanding and ability to apply concepts of key HR areas to include Talent Development, Workforce Planning, Succession Planning, Change Management, Talent Acquisition, Learning, and Total Rewards

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Extensive knowledge of all Human Resources areas including employment law, labor laws, EEO, ERISA, and other compliance mandates to ensure compliance with various state and federal laws and/or agencies throughout diverse regions; guiding business managers to proactively identify and navigate risks

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State and Federal laws (ADA, FLSA, W&H, DOT, OSHA, PUC Licensing, etc..)

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Thorough understanding of regulatory requirements in recruiting, performance management, employee development, compensation, succession planning and employee & labor relations

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Demonstrated coaching and strategic consultation skills

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Flexible skill set, including the ability to think strategically, execute tactically, and collaborate across many teams, levels, and situations

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Solutions focused and comfort with working in an environment which demands fast-paced deliverables

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Ability to identify problems and drive appropriate solutions

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Ability to collaborate across a matrixed organization

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Ability to navigate technology platforms

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Have a whatever it takes approach, sense of urgency

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Maturity and professionalism

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Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

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Ability to maintain strict confidentiality

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Strategic thinking skills

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Ability to influence other stakeholders

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Teamworking and collaboration

Experience/Education

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Bachelor’s Degree in HR, Business, Management or related field

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Master’s Degree a plus

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PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP or other designation will be a plus

Minimum 7 years of applicable experience, which should include:

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Design and execution of departmental org re-structures.

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Leading cross-functional HR projects to completion including organizing, planning, scheduling and following up on all project related items

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Recruitment and hiring processes, workforce management practices and talent development

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Designing and implementing people programs while balancing business objectives

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Managing multiple compensation review cycles

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Workplace Investigations

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Discipline and performance management

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Strong experience within a union environment

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Demonstrated progression and increased scope in a matrixed, high-growth organization

Work Environment

Indoor office environment – required to be in a work location with leaders/employees a minimum of 3 days per week (example: attending tailgate talks, various leadership and employee meetings and local events)

Travel Requirements

Ability to travel up to 30%.

Competencies

Champions safety

Customer obsessed

Cultivates innovation

Nimble learning

Drives Results

Collaborates

Join American Water...We Keep Life Flowing™

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.