Associate HR Generalist

Job Title: Associate HR Generalist

Reports To: Senior Director of HR

Location: Commuting distance to NYC (NY, CT, NJ)

Job Post Salary Band: $65k-$80k

Note that this range is representative of earning potential and actual pay will be based on skills, experience, and/or geographic location.

Who Is Winston?

A leading agency in the retail industry, Winston Retail Solutions not only provides retail merchandising and demo support, but a full suite of services including creative design and marketing, client account training, project management, tailored technical resources, and top-notch client service. Our passionate, talented, and hard-working team is responsible for retail presentations for top fashion, image, and lifestyle brands. As a fun and invigorating organization, we look for employees who are energetic and ready to influence the industry by working with apparel, footwear, and accessories brands. If you’re ready to jump into an exciting career in the world of retail, we’re ready to work with you!

Job Summary:

We’re looking for an experienced HR generalist to provide employee relations support to our growing team of Regional Managers in our Retail Division. Reporting to the Sr. Director of HR, the Associate HR Generalist will focus on regular collaboration with regional management to resolve employee relations issues. This will include conducting workplace investigations, providing training to front-line managers, and maintaining clear and accurate documentation. The Associate HR Generalist will also lead the company’s DEI initiatives through collaboration with the company DEI Committee.

Candidates will be required to report to the Corporate Office in NYC on a regular basis.

Job Duties

Resolve employee relations issues specific to the Retail Division by partnering with Senior Management, Regional Management, Visual Directors, and Ops Directors.

• Support the Retail Division in all employee relations matters by acting as a first point of contact for Regional Managers; gathering details, and determining the best course of action.
• Regularly partner with the Senior Director of Human Resources to make recommendations regarding retail field employee relations matters, provide status  updates, and escalate higher-level employee relations issues.
• Maintain clear and accurate documentation of all Human Resources activity as required.
• Monitor all retail field employee leaves of absence and ensure federal and state compliance with LOA laws and regulations.
• Partner with the Senior Director of Human Resources and the company’s CFO and General Counsel to review issues with potential legal ramifications.

Lead the company’s DEI initiatives through collaboration with the DEI Committee and the Human Resources department to ensure alignment with company goals.

• Plan, organize, distribute, and analyze the annual DEI survey for corporate and field employees.
• Present annual DEI survey information to various stakeholders.
• Participate in regular DEI Committee meetings and lead meetings as needed.
• Partner with other DEI committee members to select and plan annual volunteer efforts.
• Work with the committee to identify volunteer opportunities and initiatives.

Provide additional HR administrative support on an ongoing basis.

• Provide reliable and timely answers to basic human resources questions submitted to the HR team e-mail queue by utilizing all available resources.
• Partner with the HR Administrator to track all active employee leave such as FMLA, Worker’s Comp, Disability, etc. and follow up to maintain required documentation.

• Ensure compliance with state training requirements by staying informed on all mandates and their regulatory updates.
• Regularly monitor the confidential HR hotline and use discretion in elevating employee concerns to the Senior Director of Human Resources Ensure wage and hour compliance by researching minimum wage and FLSA changes and communicating to the HR/payroll team.

The ideal candidate will be able to:

• Act as a first point of contact for regional managers with employee relations issues
• Make effective recommendations for improvement/resolution
• Monitor leaves of absence for field employees
• Organize, plan, and present topical information to various stakeholders across the corporate function
• Collaborate cross-functionally with all company departments
• Take direction well and operate independently to accomplish directives
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality concerning all employee and company matters 
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of employment laws and HR best practices

*Current PHR and/or SHRM-CP credentials are not required but are preferred*

Education and Experience:

• Minimum 2-year degree in Human Resources, business management, DEI, training, or related fields of study
• 1 to 3 years of experience in employee relations
• Minimum 1 year experience working on DEI initiatives

What’s In It For You? (Benefits)

• Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• 401k
• Employee Discount program
• Wellness program
• Pet Insurance

At Winston, we are ALL IN!

At Winston, our strength comes from an abundance of some of the most diverse talent in the market and our distinctive skill sets. We revel in our uniqueness. We welcome change that makes us stronger. Our goal is to make everyone within the Winston community know that they are valued, respected, and heard every day. This also applies to our talented applicants, and we are proud of the fact that we are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Winston Retail is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

The ideal candidate will be able to:

• Act as a first point of contact for regional managers with employee relations issues
• Make effective recommendations for improvement/resolution
• Monitor leaves of absence for field employees
• Organize, plan, and present topical information to various stakeholders across the corporate function
• Collaborate cross-functionally with all company departments
• Take direction well and operate independently to accomplish directives
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality concerning all employee and company matters 
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of employment laws and HR best practices

*Current PHR and/or SHRM-CP credentials are not required but are preferred*

Education and Experience:

• Minimum 2-year degree in Human Resources, business management, DEI, training, or related fields of study
• 1 to 3 years of experience in employee relations
• Minimum 1 year experience working on DEI initiatives

What’s In It For You? (Benefits)

• Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• 401k
• Employee Discount program
• Wellness program
• Pet Insurance

At Winston, we are ALL IN!

At Winston, our strength comes from an abundance of some of the most diverse talent in the market and our distinctive skill sets. We revel in our uniqueness. We welcome change that makes us stronger. Our goal is to make everyone within the Winston community know that they are valued, respected, and heard every day. This also applies to our talented applicants, and we are proud of the fact that we are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Winston Retail is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Job Duties

Resolve employee relations issues specific to the Retail Division by partnering with Senior Management, Regional Management, Visual Directors, and Ops Directors.

• Support the Retail Division in all employee relations matters by acting as a first point of contact for Regional Managers; gathering details, and determining the best course of action.
• Regularly partner with the Senior Director of Human Resources to make recommendations regarding retail field employee relations matters, provide status  updates, and escalate higher-level employee relations issues.
• Maintain clear and accurate documentation of all Human Resources activity as required.
• Monitor all retail field employee leaves of absence and ensure federal and state compliance with LOA laws and regulations.
• Partner with the Senior Director of Human Resources and the company’s CFO and General Counsel to review issues with potential legal ramifications.

Lead the company’s DEI initiatives through collaboration with the DEI Committee and the Human Resources department to ensure alignment with company goals.

• Plan, organize, distribute, and analyze the annual DEI survey for corporate and field employees.
• Present annual DEI survey information to various stakeholders.
• Participate in regular DEI Committee meetings and lead meetings as needed.
• Partner with other DEI committee members to select and plan annual volunteer efforts.
• Work with the committee to identify volunteer opportunities and initiatives.

Provide additional HR administrative support on an ongoing basis.

• Provide reliable and timely answers to basic human resources questions submitted to the HR team e-mail queue by utilizing all available resources.
• Partner with the HR Administrator to track all active employee leave such as FMLA, Worker’s Comp, Disability, etc. and follow up to maintain required documentation.

• Ensure compliance with state training requirements by staying informed on all mandates and their regulatory updates.
• Regularly monitor the confidential HR hotline and use discretion in elevating employee concerns to the Senior Director of Human Resources Ensure wage and hour compliance by researching minimum wage and FLSA changes and communicating to the HR/payroll team.