Manager of Human Resources

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

Step into the role of Manager of Human Resources, a strategic partner who collaborates with a key business segment and corporate teams to drive HR initiatives that align with bold business objectives. This position puts you at the heart of the action—serving as a trusted HR consultant to executives and leaders, leading the charge as the primary voice in labor negotiations, and expertly handling complex employee and labor relations issues. Plus, you’ll guide a talented team of HR business partners to success.

Beyond mastering HR, you’ll dive deep into the business, influencing decisions to achieve standout results, crafting creative solutions to tricky challenges, and leveraging your analytical skills to create impactful financial and economic models.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Develop and lead the people strategies for the business segment in partnership with the leadership team to achieve desired business objectives.
• Develop and lead the employee relations strategy ensuring continuously improving employee engagement while achieving the objectives of the business.
• Develop and lead the business segment’s strategy with respect to its unionized workforces as well as unionized workforces acquired through acquisition.  
• Lead the employee and labor relations compliance function. Maintain in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employee and labor relations in order to identify trends, reduce legal risks, and ensure regulatory compliance. Partner with legal department as needed/required.
• Provides guidance to senior leaders on a range of HR topics including coaching, counselling, performance management, career development, compensation, workforce planning, etc.
• Provide guidance and leadership to HR Business Partners to ensure that consistent and high caliber services are provided to the organization.
• Provide support to all other HR COEs, including benefits, HRIS, talent acquisition, payroll, and compensation.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Advanced knowledge of all aspects of human resources, including (but not limited to) employee and labor relations, employment law, human resource best practices, HR policies and procedures, etc.
• Ability to quickly understand the organizational structure, practices, and interdepartmental communications.
• Strong collaboration and negotiation skills; effective, motivating leader.
• Demonstrated business acumen and a learning orientation
• Experienced in Microsoft Office products (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and Workday.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, verbal, listening, public speaking).
• Ability to develop creative and effective solutions with confidential, sensitive, and complex variables

 EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• 10+ years of human resources experience in mid-sized or larger unionized company
• 5+ years of direct labor relations experience with some experience as chief spokesperson during labor negotiations.
• 3+ years of experience managing an HR team.
• Bachelor's degree in business, human resources, labor relations, or related field.
• Master's degree in Business Administration or a Juris Doctorate is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflict and creatively and effectively problem-solve.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, set priorities and achieve results.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and influence others in functions outside of HR to achieve the appropriate business result 
• Travel approximately 10% to work sites of Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Essential Utilities is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.  If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).  
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.