HR Manager, People Partners

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, known as "The HARRIS CENTER," is seeking an experienced HR Manager, People Partners to join our team. The HR Manager, People Partners manages the Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) function under the direction of the Director, People Partners. This position supervises, coaches, and develops HRBPs to support consistent delivery of employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, employee engagement, and retention services in accordance with organizational policies and applicable employment requirements. The HR Manager advises organizational leaders on complex employee relations matters, organizational effectiveness, and workforce challenges. This position ensures HRBPs provide timely, consistent, and proactive support aligned with organizational goals and business needs. The role collaborates with Talent Acquisition and onboarding but does not directly supervise or own those functions.

Your role in Action:

Leadership and Team Development

• Establish HRBP team goals, service standards, workload priorities, and performance measures aligned with organizational objectives and the direction of the Director, People Partners.
• Coordinate HRBP handoffs and collaboration with Talent Acquisition, onboarding, HR Operations, Total Rewards, and other partners without assuming management responsibility for those functions.
• Establish performance expectations, conduct regular coaching sessions, and support the professional development of HR Business Partners.
• Coordinate HRBP participation in approved organizational change initiatives, workforce planning, restructures, and HR projects that support the agency’s mission and workforce strategy.

Strategic Human Resources Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to organizational leaders on workforce strategy, organizational effectiveness, and employee relations matters.
• Partner with leaders to identify workforce risks and develop proactive solutions to support business objectives.
• Provide guidance on employee relations issues, performance management, organizational change, and workforce planning initiatives.
• Support organizational restructures, reductions in force, and growth initiatives.

Employee Relations & HR Business Partner Oversight

• Manage HRBP service delivery and promote consistent application of organizational policies, applicable employment requirements, and approved HR practices.
• Lead or coordinate complex employee relations matters, providing consultation and guidance on investigations, performance management, corrective action, conflict resolution, and workplace concerns; escalate significant risks to the Director, People Partners and Legal, as appropriate.
• Partner with executive and operational leadership to develop proactive employee relations strategies that foster engagement, accountability, and a positive work culture.
• Oversee HRBP support for performance management, coaching, performance improvement plans (PIPs), corrective action, and separations, following approved policies and review requirements.
• Review recommendations related to employee discipline, involuntary separations, reductions in force, reorganizations, and other sensitive employment actions; route recommendations through required leadership and Legal reviews. Exercise approval authority only as formally delegated.
• Utilize workforce metrics and trends analysis to identify recurring employee relations issues and develop action plans to improve employee engagement, retention, and organizational effectiveness.

Employee Engagement and Retention

• Partner with HR Business Partners to analyze employee engagement, turnover, retention trends, and workforce data.
• Develop and implement initiatives to improve employee engagement, retention, and organizational culture.
• Utilize workforce analytics to identify trends and recommend solutions to reduce attrition and improve employee satisfaction.
• Support employee recognition, career development, and succession planning initiatives.

Process Improvement and Compliance

• Recommend HR policy updates and develop and maintain HRBP procedures and job aids in coordination with the Director, People Partners and designated policy owners.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Utilize metrics and data analysis to improve operational effectiveness and service delivery.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the People Partner function.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

What qualifications you will need:

Education :

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.

Experience:

• Five or more years of progressively responsible human resources experience, including senior-level HR business partner or employee relations responsibilities.
• Three or more years of leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience providing strategic HR consultation, managing complex employee relations matters, advising leadership, and supporting organizational initiatives.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of employee relations, talent acquisition, workforce planning, and employee engagement strategies.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Ability to analyze workforce data and develop strategic recommendations.
• Excellent communication, consultation, and relationship management skills.
• Knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices.
• Ability to lead organizational changes and continuous improvement initiatives.

What else you should know:

• This posting is associated with position #1051
• This position will be located at 9401 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074

About us:

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas.  As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provides care to over 90,000 people and has an annual budget of over $300 million.

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the largest communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.

What we have to offer:

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks.

Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being.

Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.