Sr. Manager, Employee Relations

Virgin Galactic, www.VirginGalactic.com (SPCE:NYSE), recognizes that the answers to many of the challenges we face in sustaining life on our beautiful but fragile planet, lie in making better use of space. Sending people to space has not only expanded our understanding of science, but taught us amazing things about human ingenuity, physiology and psychology. From space, we are able to look with a new perspective both outward and back. From space, the borders that are fought over on Earth are arbitrary lines. From space, it is clear that there is much more that unites us than divides us.

“We are at the vanguard of a new industry determined to pioneer twenty-first century spacecraft, which will open space to everybody — and change the world for good.”  Sir Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Galactic

This person can work from our Tustin CA office location or Las Cruces NM office. 

All candidates are required to work in office 2x a week. 

As the Employee Relations Sr Manager, you will be an instrumental part of the People Team at Virgin Galactic.  We need you to implement and improve frameworks, guidelines, approaches, practices and operating principles – building and reinforcing Virgin Galactic’s culture.  You will establish relationships across the organization and provide ER subject matter expertise in order to support the mission, culture and values of Virgin Galactic.  You are responsible for evaluating and enhancing human resource policies, procedures, and programs, with a focus on prevention, education, and remediation of issues to further enable a positive, diverse, safe, and ethical work environment. You will be expected to conduct internal workplace investigations, create and facilitate employee training sessions, draft employee discipline, and project work to support the goals and objectives of the Employee Relations team.

Specific Responsibilities Include

Strategic Planning & Leadership

• Helps implement the Employee Relations (ER) framework, including strategies and proposals to continuously drive improvements in ER practices within the organization based on trust, mutual respect, strong performance management, and accountability in support of the goals of the organization.
• Helps implement a comprehensive communications strategy to promote ER best practices throughout the organization.
• Maintains and revises HR policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance, enhance the workplace and promote the company culture.
• Assesses employment risk in coordination with HR leadership and Legal based on current regulatory landscape and anticipated changes.

Case Management

• Can take the lead in addressing employee issues, complaints, and investigations working in partnership with other HR, Legal, and compliance related teams.
• Ensures cases are handled fairly, consistently, transparently, in a timely fashion, and in line with Virgin Galactic’s culture, policies, and applicable laws.
• Personally leads employee relations investigations, making recommendations on appropriate courses of action, matching investigation strategy to the complexity, risk, sensitivity, and confidentiality of the investigation.
• Counsels HR and business leaders on ER issues, trends and risks to foster sound business decisions.
• Review and refresh training offerings depending on company needs and external regulations.
• Advises leaders on how to handle more serious and complex disciplinary matters.
• Advises HR and business leaders on complex matters that may require investigation.
• Review, investigate, document, and advise on a caseload of complex ER investigation matters, such as: retaliation, harassment, discrimination.

ER Consulting

• Help develop, socialize and rollout ER processes, approaches, guidelines, practices and operating procedures.
• Ensure that optimal decisions are made by leaders, Talent Partners and other stakeholders through influencing, coaching, and by providing technical expertise and sound strategy.
• Drive ER efforts that support HR and business initiatives.
• Help develop and conduct training to leaders, managers, employees, Talent Partners and other stakeholders.
• Maintain an organized case management system; Ability to run analytics and metrics and produce dashboards.
• Collect, analyze, interpret and make recommendations on ER related data.
• Partner cross-functionally to help advise on leaves, FMLA, EEO, and ADA approaches.
• Align strategy with HR Business Partners and People Team leaders to determine and create holistic approach to address business needs.
• Set and execute against the ER strategy.

• 7+ years of Employee Relations/Human Resources managing complex global investigations
• Experience interacting with EEOC, DFEH, DOL and other agencies regarding employment issues
• Superior written oral communication skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to remain positive, collaborative and objective while under pressure
• Proven track record of positively influencing leaders, teams and stakeholders
• Ability to be a coach, mentor, advise and partner with stakeholders at varying levels of seniority
• Expert knowledge of ER, labor relations, training, conflict resolution and direct experience leading complex global investigations at all levels including executive level
• Deep understanding of FMLA, EEO laws, ADA and other employment-related state and federal laws & regulations
• Must be able to work under pressure and deal with complex issues, while maintaining composure
• Experienced decision maker who uses good reasoning and sound judgment required
• Ability to be discreet and maintain confidentiality is required
• Must be self-motivated and have an enhanced ability to prioritize/plan in a fast-paced, high growth environment
• Some travel may be required
• Bachelor’s Degree
• D. Degree preferred
• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification, preferred.
• Bilingual a plus (Spanish/English).

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

As part of our commitment to health and safety, COVID-19 vaccines are required for current U.S. teammates, as well as all newly hired employees. 

As of October 1, 2021, all new hires must be able to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, ( “fully vaccinated” means at least two weeks have expired since receiving the vaccination’s last dose as recommended by the manufacturer) . If  you are offered employment, this requirement must be met by your date of hire. 

Virgin Galactic is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Galactic is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

As part of our commitment to health and safety, COVID-19 vaccines are required for current U.S. teammates, as well as newly hired employees.

 As of October 1, 2021, all new hires must be able to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19virus, (“fully vaccinated” means at least two week have expired since receiving the vaccination’s last dose as recommended by the manufacturer).  If you are offered employment, this requirement must be met be your date of hire.  Virgin Galactic complies with federal, state, and local laws with regard to accommodations related to this policy.

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