AVP, Employee Relations

You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential.

Job Summary

Officer position responsible for direction and management for Employee Relations issues. Ensures effective implementation of strategic and operational objectives for Employee Relations, in accordance with the company’s approach to risk and efforts to minimize the costs of legal exposures that may arise.

As determined by CNA and depending on the applicant’s experience and/or qualifications, candidates may be hired into one of 2 positions: Employee Relations Consulting Director or AVP, Employee Relations. Typically, 7-15+ years of related experience.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines:

Implements strategic objectives with significant impact on the short-term success of Employee Relations. Ensures appropriate positioning of CNA in relation to compliance, risk, and business outcome.

Provides direction and support for complex employee relations issues and communicates with CNA employees, leadership, legal, human resource business partners and external employee representatives as needed. Works to achieve solutions with best possible business results, gains consensus as necessary and moves issues to resolution.

Investigates employee complaints involving leadership level employees. Manages investigations beginning-to-end, including intake meetings, development of the investigation plan, researching the allegations, conducting effective interviews, generating investigation summary reports, documenting the investigation, developing appropriate recommendations for resolution, effectively seeking alignment on recommended outcomes, and communicating outcomes to impacted individuals.

Serves as a subject matter expert and provides consultation and advice to leaders, HRBPs, and HR COEs regarding employee relations matters, complex areas of risk mitigation, and key conflict resolution.

Provides employee relations support to leaders for officer level employee performance and conduct matters.

Provides consultation and advice on complex leaves of absence and reasonable accommodation matters. Operates as a center of excellence for leaves and accommodations matters.

Provides legal and strategic business review on proposed reductions-in-force and reorganizations. Drafts leadership level separation agreements and negotiates packages.

Stays current on evolving federal, state and local employment laws. Periodically reviews and updates company policies and employment agreements to ensure compliance with applicable laws.

Leads special projects involving employee relations, leaves of absence and HR compliance matters.

May perform additional duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationship

Typically VP and above

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Strong fundamental knowledge of federal and state employment laws, human resources policies, and employee relations best practices.

Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively build rapport with all internal and external business partners, including senior leadership.

Strong analytical, fact-finding and evidence gathering skills.

Ability to exercise independent judgment and make sound business and legal decisions quickly and reliably.

Strong time leadership and organizational skills with the ability to be flexible and exercise a sense of urgency in handling multiple cases with proper prioritization.

Ability to collect and synthesize large quantities data, to recognize trends, and to develop, clearly communicate and effectively implement recommendations based on legal knowledge and risk mitigation principles.

Strong influencing skills, with the ability to keep confidentiality, build and maintain credibility, and work collaboratively with customers, peers, subordinates and company leadership.

Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to manage and resolve ambiguous, complex, and sensitive situations while providing flexible solutions.

Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn and use Workday and HR Acuity software.

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree with Master’s preferred in related field or equivalent.

J.D. degree required.

Typically a minimum of ten years of related in-house, employee relations and/or legal experience.

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In certain jurisdictions, CNA is legally required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. In District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, the national base pay range for this job level is $152,000 to $242,000 annually. Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location. CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees – and their family members – achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals. For a detailed look at CNA’s benefits, please visit cnabenefits.com.

CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact

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