Choose To Make A Difference
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's work lives? As a Senior HR Generalist, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the associate experience across American Career College, West Coast University, Shared Services, and Administration - a dynamic, multi-location academic environment where no two days look the same.
Reporting to the Executive Director, Human Resources Business Partner, you'll serve as a trusted subject matter expert and go-to advisor for managers and team members navigating workplace matters. From conducting thorough and fair internal investigations to coaching leaders through sensitive employee relations issues, you'll bring both expertise and empathy to everything you do.
You'll be at the center of it all - mediating workplace challenges, championing open communication, partnering with managers, and helping maintain a culture where collaboration, and trust thrive in a student centered environment. You'll also play a key role in driving our continuous performance management approach and assisting in delivering the HR signature processes that set our organization apart.
If you're someone who thrives on solving problems, building strong relationships across all levels of an organization, and making a meaningful impact in a mission-driven academic setting, this is your opportunity to do work that truly matters.
Why you will love this role:
- Autonomy & Trust - manage a caseload and client groups with support from HR leadership
- Variety - no two days look the same, from investigations and coaching to analysis and forward-thinking projects
- Visible Impact - your work directly influences retention, culture, and how people experience their workplace
- Growth - deepen your expertise across the full spectrum of employee relations, multi-state employment law, and HR strategy
- Collaboration - join a connected HR team that values partnership, teamwork and continuous improvement
This role is based at West Coast University's flagship Richardson, TX campus - an exceptional place to work. The campus itself is stunning, featuring a modern, state-of-the-art environment designed to inspire both learning and collaboration. The Richardson campus offers the perfect blend of professional energy and everyday convenience. If you're looking for a role where you love where you work just as much as what you do, this is it!
Essential Functions & Responsibilities:
- Be a true partner - build strong relationships with campus managers and department leaders, understand the unique dynamics of each team, and deliver proactive recommendations
- Champion the associate experience - meet with associates, answer questions, and guide them through organizational policies and procedures while encouraging resolution through appropriate channels
- Serve as the trusted go-to resource for both associates and management on complex, sensitive employee relations matters
- Coach and advise managers on corrective actions, performance documentation, and counseling - ensuring fairness, consistency, and compliance across all client groups
- Consult with HR leadership and legal counsel when situations carry significant organizational risk, bringing well-reasoned analysis and details to the table
- Independently lead internal investigations of moderate complexity - gather facts, document findings, produce comprehensive reports, and recommend appropriate remedial actions
- Apply company policies, procedures, and multi-state employment law to navigate a wide variety of workplace situations with confidence and consistency
- Oversee leave of absence and accommodation processes - partner with associates, HR team members, third-party administrators, and other internal stakeholders to ensure full compliance with FMLA, ADA, and applicable leave laws
- Support workers' compensation claims as needed, ensuring associates are cared for and processes run smoothly
- Facilitate separation meetings - prepare documentation, coordinate logistics, and coach managers to lead difficult conversations with professionalism and empathy
- May conduct focus groups and exit interviews to uncover organizational strengths and opportunities for improvement, then develop actionable plans based on your findings
- Assist in analyzing human capital data - dig into turnover, engagement, and other metrics to identify trends and patterns, then recommend proactive strategies to HR leadership
- Help deliver signature HR processes including OKR development, talent reviews, engagement action planning, development check-ins, merit planning, and end-of-year rating calibrations
- Assist with the design and delivery training sessions and workshops for managers and associates on topics identified for performance improvement, aligned with the HR strategic plan
Your Experience Includes:
- Five or more years of hands-on employee relations experience — you know how to navigate workplace situations with competence and composure
- Demonstrated knowledge of employment law — you bring strong command of state and federal regulations, separation procedures, investigative protocols, and HR best practices across multi-state environments
- Proven investigation skills — you understand the principles and practices of conducting thorough, fair internal investigations and producing clear, comprehensive documentation
- Superior judgment and decision-making ability — when the stakes are high and the path forward is unclear, you assess situations thoughtfully, weigh risks carefully, bring HR leadership into the fold and make sound calls that others trust and respect
- A track record of earning trust at every level — from associates to managers, you maintain respect through your knowledge, communication skills, credibility, impartiality, and follow-through
- Creative problem-solving and mediation skills — you know how to navigate difficult, sensitive issues using facilitation and conflict resolution techniques that bring people together rather than drive them apart
- Unshakable integrity and discretion — you handle highly sensitive and confidential information with the utmost care, every single time
- Exceptional communication skills — both written and verbal, you express complex ideas clearly and tailor your approach to your audience
- Tech-savvy and resourceful — you're proficient in MS Office, Teams, comfortable with HR technology tools, and skilled at leveraging digital resources to find the best information fast
- The ability to thrive in the juggle — you self-direct, verify priorities with HR leadership, multi-task, and perform under pressure, managing competing demands and shifting priorities without missing a beat
- Adaptability and resilience — you welcome developmentally focused feedback, stay flexible when plans change, are a early adopter during change management scenarios, and maintain your composure in high-stakes situations
- A true team player who thrives in a collaborative culture — you work well alongside others, actively contribute to a supportive team environment, share knowledge generously, and believe that the best solutions come from partnership and collective thinking
- A collaborative spirit beyond your team — you foster an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust through inclusive, non-adversarial decision-making and genuine partnership across the organization
- Strong initiative and ownership — you don't wait to be told what to do and ensure alignment with HR leadership and business priorities
- Willingness to be where you're needed — whether that means a flexible schedule, travel between campuses/offices, and showing up with energy and purpose every day
Required Education Certifications & Licensures:
- Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management or related field is required.
Preferred Education, Certifications & Licensures:
- Professional in Human Resource (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resource (SPHR) Certification preferred.
- Higher education or academic environment experience preferred
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Bonus Eligible
No
WCU Company Overview
Do you want a career that allows you to make a difference in other people’s lives? Discover what it means to truly believe in the work that you do at West Coast University.
At West Coast University, we have the privilege of educating students seeking careers in healthcare and guide them through their transformational journey from student to caregiver. Our associates are united behind that purpose and share a deep commitment to our values of teamwork, collegiality, transparency, and a student-centric approach to all we do. This focus creates an aligned, nimble, and consensus-driven culture that is solution-oriented and supports our associates’ professional growth.
WCU EEO Statement
West Coast University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all associates.
