Associate Relations Specialist

About PHOENIX 
PHOENIX Retail, LLC is a retail platform operating the Express and Bonobos brands worldwide.
 
About Express
Express is a multichannel apparel brand dedicated to a design philosophy rooted in modern, confident and effortless style whether dressing for work, everyday or special occasions. Since its launch in 1980, the brand has embraced a design philosophy rooted in modern, confident and effortless style. Express ensures you look and feel your best, wherever life takes you. The Company operates over 400 retail and outlet stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, the express.com online store and the Express mobile app.
 
About Bonobos
Our Bonobos menswear brand is known for being a style instigator and offering perfect-fit risks through our innovative retail model and personalized experience. Launched online in 2007 with its signature line of chinos, Bonobos now offers a variety of styles available to order online and to try on at any one of our 50 Guideshop locations and at www.bonobos.com. Our Guideshops are in-real-life stores that deliver one-on-one service and expert fit advice. Don't think traditional retail, Bonobos is something you haven't seen before.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Associate Relations (AR) Specialist is responsible for overseeing the Associate Relations case management system while ensuring consistency, compliance, and sound judgment in handing associate concerns and organizational risk. The AR Specialist will conduct initial discovery calls, ensure compliance with I-9 requirements, and support workplace accommodations and background check adjudication.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees case management by reviewing the Associate Relations inbox periodically throughout the day to ensure all reported issues are detailed and assigned or directed appropriately 
• Performs initial discovery calls on cases when necessary
• Manage, monitor, and audit I-9 process and compliance for the organization in partnership with our third party vendor; identify and make recommendations to business leaders on addressing concerns
• Responsible for completing I-9 process with Corporate new hires
• Engage with all levels of associates regarding their concerns, managing emotionally charged situations, understanding corporate policies, and applying them equitably and consistently
• Conducts interactive discussions for workplace accommodation requests to understand needs and options
• Effectively document all concerns and communicate to appropriate parties
• Manage adjudication process for background check following up with candidates and key stakeholders. Partnering with legal team as needed
• Creates guidance and training related to AR Specialist work for business leaders
• Builds standard operating processes for AR Specialist work
• Gathers appropriate documents in response to subpoenas, requests from legal, etc. 
• Assists in gathering documents for investigations and subpoenas when necessary
• Complies with all Federal, State, and Local reporting requirements
• Applies consistency and sound judgment to evaluate risks and seeks advice when needed
• Manage Vendor relationships associates with AR Specialist work, ensuring service level agreements are fulfilled 
• Builds strong and effective relationships with critical stakeholders and peers to share identified themes and/or information, influence change, and leverage resources to deliver results. i.e.: Legal, Benefits, LOA, HR Operations, HR Business Partners, and 3rd Party Vendors

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, HR, Psychology, Industrial Relations or a related field, additional years of experience
  considered in lieu of degree
• Minimum of 1 year associate/employee relations experience

CRITICAL SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

• Retail Industry Experience/Retail Environment preferred
• Strong troubleshooting, writing, and communication skills
• Effectively able to work in a high volume, fast-paced, rapidly changing, results-oriented work environment
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with leaders

If you would like to know more about the California Consumer Privacy Act click here.

An equal opportunity employer, PHOENIX does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or any other terms and conditions of employment hiring on the basis of any federal, state, or locally protected characteristic. PHOENIX only hires individuals authorized for employment in the United States. PHOENIX is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to search and apply for a job position due to a disability, please call 1-800-964-9793 and say 'Associate Relations' or send an e-mail to AssociateRelations@Express.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Notification to Agencies: Please note that PHOENIX does not accept unsolicited resumes or calls from third-party recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Master Service Agreement and approval from HR to submit resumes for a specific requisition, PHOENIX will not consider or approve payment to any third-parties for hires made.