Regional Field HR Business Partner

Meritage Hospitality Group is seeking a Regional Field HR Business Partner to join the team!

What You’ll Do:

The Regional Field Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) works with operations leaders in assigned markets to drive business results with a strong focus on leadership development, training, and workforce/succession planning. Works with a defined degree of discretion and judgment under the guidance of HR leadership and collaborates consistently with District Managers, Area Directors, and the HR team.

The HRBP contributes to company performance by partnering with Operations leaders to execute people strategies that support business objectives. Serving as a field-facing Employee Relations (ER) resource, the HRBP advises Operations on the resolution of day-to-day ER cases and supports higher-risk matters — such as Title VII, ADA, and EEOC complaints — in partnership with HR leadership and Legal.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties:

Consultation and Advising

• Consults with Ops leaders to identify needs, analyze metrics and adjust strategy to support business objectives.  
• Advises Ops leaders on appropriate resolution to non-high risk ER Cases. 

Culture Cultivating

• Consults with business leaders to foster and promote restaurant environments consistent with Meritage Core Values.   This includes providing investigation and consultation support to leaders related to culture, employee conduct, employee relations, and performance concerns.  Manages the investigation process for employee related claims and advises on the application of company policies and employment laws. 

Leadership Development 

• Conducts coaching and training activities to develop key leadership skills such as performance management, positive culture enhancement and managing conflict.

General HR Support

• Supports compliance with local, state and federal employment laws and regulations. 
• Provides support to employees by supporting the Open Door Policy, including providing leaders with the first opportunity to resolve issues where possible.

• Facilitates employee’s ability to gain information on benefits, compensation, payroll, and other HR related services by acting as the liaison between the Operations teams and the Restaurant Service center.
• Tracks and manages all Employee Relations/Open Door cases using the provided tools and following Company policies and processes. 
• Supports compliance by providing training to market leaders, reviewing Risk related reports and communicating recommendations to operations leadership. 
• Manage and facilitate company ADA process
• Assists Risk team by supporting Risk initiatives and partnering in Risk investigations to ensure appropriate resolution occurs.
• Acts as a contributing member to a larger Field HR team by sharing results, approaches and opportunities in an effort to drive and support overall HR improvement.

What We Expect From You

The team at Meritage is made up of dedicated, hard-working individuals who exemplify the core values of Meritage. The team has high expectations for themselves and anyone who desires to join them. They also have a lot of fun together and truly enjoy working with one another. It is a team where excellence is expected and accomplishments are celebrated. To join this team, you’ll need to demonstrate the same high standards. You’ll also need the following qualifications:

Qualifications and Requirements

• Required 3–5 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including direct exposure to employee relations investigations; multi-unit retail, restaurant, or hospitality experience. 5-8 years’ experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Travel expectation of 25% to 50% in-state and out-of-state travel required; valid driver’s license and reliable transportation and ability to independently travel between store locations required.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws, with the judgment to recognize and escalate complex or high-risk matters to senior HR and Legal required.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, presentation, and collaborative skills to work effectively with teams throughout organization 
• Demonstrated ability to gain the trust of leadership, management and associates and serve as a trusted advisor
• Excellent research, judgement, strategic thinking and problem solving skills
• Strong business acumen, detail orientation with the ability to turn information into solutions
• Experience in leading workforce and development planning
• Well versed in local, state and federal employment related laws and regulations 
• Highly organized with strong time management skills
• Self-motivated and drive to work independently
• Proven strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflicting priorities 

• Discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive information

• Proven ability to work well independently with minimal supervision, as well as a part of a team  

Remote Work Requirements

• This position is remote and requires a quiet, private workspace free from distractions, suitable for confidential conversations, employee relations matters, and virtual meetings.
• Company provides a laptop and a monthly cell phone stipend to support remote work.
• Employee is responsible for maintaining their own reliable, high-speed internet connection sufficient to support business needs, including video conferencing and access to HR systems.

• Hybrid of remote work and consistent in-store support in your home markets and overnight travel to out-of-state markets.

What You Can Expect From Us

As a member of Meritage, you will enjoy the following benefits:

• Competitive base salary and bonus plans
• Health insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and HSA options
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• 401k
• Meal discounts at all Meritage affiliated restaurants
• Plus various additional perks and benefits

Who We Are

Meritage Hospitality Group, headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, is one of the nation’s premier restaurant operators with more than 300 restaurants operating in 15 states. We are one of the largest Wendy’s franchisees and just opened our first Bojangles restaurant. In addition to quick service, we have developed West Michigan casual dining concepts The Blue Porch and Morning Belle. Each of our concepts deliver a distinct dining experience for our guests and a work environment rich with opportunity for our approximately 9,000 team members.

At Meritage, we are Inspired by Opportunity and Achieve Success Through Service. We live by our five Core Values – Uncommon Hospitality, Run It Like You Own It, Collective Genius, The Sky is the Limit, and We Love What We Do.

Now is the time to join!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Inclusion is at the heart of our business.