Sr. People Support Business Partner – Construction Services

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Senior People Support Business Partner to join our People Support team and support our Construction Services business line across the company. This role serves as a strategic partner to business leaders and a trusted resource for employees, helping drive organizational success through proactive workforce support, employee relations expertise, and people-focused solutions in both office and field environments.

Reporting to the Sr. Director, People Support, this position will work closely with Construction Services leadership, project managers, operational leaders, subcontractors, and employees to enhance the employee experience, resolve workplace issues, support business objectives, and ensure consistent application of company policies and employment practices. The role requires the ability to build strong relationships with field-based teams, visit and maintain an active presence on construction sites, address workforce and site-related employee concerns, and deliver practical HR solutions that support operational excellence while maintaining compliance and fostering a positive workplace culture.

This is a full-time, regular (with benefits), salaried/exempt position that is distributed (=remote) eligible within the United States, provided the employee is located within reasonable proximity to an established SWCA office. Candidates should expect regular travel (50%) to construction sites, project locations, and regional offices as business needs require.

To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter.

What you will accomplish

- Leads employee relations efforts by resolving complex conflicts, conducting comprehensive investigations, and recommending appropriate actions. Ensures fair and consistent handling of employee issues to maintain a positive work environment.

- Provides expert advice to employees and management on HR policies, employee relations, development, feedback, and coaching to ensure alignment with organizational goals and HR best practices. Offers strategic guidance to support effective decision-making and problem-solving.

- Champions diversity, equity, and inclusion by supporting DE&I initiatives and fostering an inclusive workplace culture. Works to promote and sustain DE&I efforts across the organization.

- Designs and delivers training programs for operations leaders and employees, focusing on leadership development, compliance, and other critical HR topics. Ensures training initiatives are aligned with organizational goals and enhance employee capabilities.

- Partners with supervisors and managers to address complex employee performance issues, providing coaching and support for improvement. Develops strategies to enhance performance and ensure alignment with company standards.

- Collaborates with leaders to identify and address workforce planning needs, ensuring the organization has the talent required to meet its strategic goals. Develops and implements workforce planning strategies to support organizational growth and success.

- Collaborates with Directors and VPs to create and implement engagement action plans by identifying key areas for improvement and developing strategies to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction. Monitors progress and adjusts plans as needed.

- Manages and maintains comprehensive employee records, ensuring data integrity and compliance with confidentiality regulations. Monitors record-keeping practices to ensure accuracy and adherence to legal requirements.

- Analyzes HR metrics and data to provide insights and recommendations to Operations leaders, supporting data-driven decision-making and strategic planning. Uses data analysis to identify trends and develop actionable solutions to improve HR practices.

- Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.

- Performs related work as assigned.

- Build and maintain strong relationships with field employees, project teams, operational leaders, and Construction Services leadership through regular site visits and proactive engagement.

- Support project mobilization, demobilization, workforce transitions, and organizational change initiatives affecting construction and field-based employees.

- Partner with Construction Services leaders and subcontractor representatives to identify and address workforce, employee relations, and workplace issues that may affect project teams, safety, culture, or performance.

- Leads investigations into employee incidents and challenges and ensures information flows to needed leaders across matrix organization.

- Addresses complex employee issues that span matrixed teams and require coordination and alignment across several leadership hierarchies at SWCA. Ensures that appropriate leadership across SWCA are informed or involved in employee relations or disciplinary decisions, as needed.

- Supports leadership in making and documenting employee coaching and discipline decisions.

- Conduct regular outreach and field presence activities to identify workforce concerns, assess employee sentiment, and proactively address workplace issues before they escalate.

- Partner with business leaders to ensure consistent interpretation and application of company policies, practices, and employment guidelines across office and field environments.

- Collaborate with project leadership to address workforce challenges impacting retention, staffing continuity, employee engagement, and operational effectiveness.

- Monitor and respond to employee concerns submitted through confidential reporting channels, ensuring timely follow-up and resolution

- Supports the development and continuous improvement of protocols for employees working on active construction sites and within Construction Services discipline.

- Partners closely with Safety to uphold safety standards and collaboratively address workplace and site-specific challenges.

Minimum Qualifications

Four years of relevant, progressively responsible experience. Seven years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education. Knowledge normally obtained through post-secondary education or training; bachelor's degree preferred.

Experience and qualifications for success

- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of post-secondary education, professional training, and relevant experience.

- Four (4) years of employee relations, human resources business partner, or equivalent leadership experience.

- Experience supporting field-based, project-driven organizations.

- Experience working with geographically dispersed workforces.

- Demonstrated experience managing complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution.

- Strong understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR compliance requirements.

- Demonstrated analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with a track record of developing practical solutions to business challenges.

- Excellent presentation, communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written.

- Ability to influence and coach leaders at all levels of the organization.

- Ability to manage multiple complex issues, projects, and priorities simultaneously.

- Ability to build credibility and inspire confidence while maintaining a fair, consistent, and impartial approach.

- Strong project management, consultation, counseling, and coaching skills.

- Technically proficient with HR systems, workforce analytics, and data interpretation.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Seven (7) years of employee relations, human resources business partner, or equivalent leadership experience.

- SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.

- Experience supporting construction, environmental consulting, engineering, infrastructure, utilities, industrial services, or other project-based industries.

- Experience working on active construction projects with different levels of construction personnel (staff level - site management).

- Experience partnering with field operations leaders, project managers, and geographically dispersed teams.

- Experience supporting workforce planning, project mobilization and demobilization, or seasonal workforce fluctuations.

- Experience working in a consulting or professional services environment with a billable-hours model.

- Experience with Ceridian Dayforce, SharePoint, or similar HRIS and collaboration platforms

Other Job Conditions

- Willingness and ability to travel approximately 50%, including visits to active project sites and field locations.

- Must be comfortable working in ambiguity and navigating competing business and employee needs.

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this US/Remote-based position is $84,084.00 to $110,292.00 per year. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

As a 100% employee-owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

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