Sr Manager, People Operations

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

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Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Metra's Human Resources Department is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. We foster a culture of fairness, trust, and mutual respect by promoting employee engagement, wellness, and professional growth. Through equitable compensation, flexible benefits, and compliance with employment laws, we empower employees to thrive and contribute meaningfully to Metra's mission.

Reporting to the Director Talent Acquisitions and Business Support/People Operations, the Sr Manager People Operations will provide leadership and guidance to the assigned human resources (HR) staff responsible for enhancing employee engagement and productivity throughout the employee lifecycle; coach managers and advise senior leadership on people strategies and workforce planning with a strong emphasis on employee relations; and build scalable, data-driven programs to enhance the employee experience.

The primary duties include: Lead and mentor an assigned team of HR professionals responsible for executing employee-centric strategies that optimize performance and engagement; set clear performance objectives; and ensure timely, consistent, customerfocused support is provided to agency leaders and employees. Act as the strategic advisor and primary HR expert responsible for navigating sensitive workplace situations including complex employee relations issues that carry significant legal, financial, or reputational risk to the agency; and ensure workforce decisions are legal, ethical, and aligned with company guidelines and policies. Collaborate on cross-functional initiatives with managers across the agency to drive an inclusive and diverse culture that enhances the employee experience; and analyze how one section depends on another to create and maintain a productive work environment to ensure smooth operations.Own the employee relations strategy including maintaining primary accountability, defining and documenting escalation protocols, conduct case trend analyses to determine recurring issues, and continuous process improvement to ensure fair treatment across the workforce. Oversee and resolve escalated complex employee relations issues; conduct thorough and effective investigations, performance management, discipline, and terminations, with a strong focus on consistency, fairness, and risk mitigation. Approve time off, coordinate staff schedules, fill vacancies as necessary, and ensure compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives. Decide/implement staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and performance improvement, disciplinary, and/or termination procedures. Make recommendations regarding hiring, performance evaluations, disciplinary and/or termination procedures. Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment. Perform otherrelated duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

1. Bachelor's degree or in lieu of a degree, any combination of education and experience can be substituted that equals four (4) years in human resources management. A master's degree is preferred.
2. In addition to #1, must have a minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management including employee relations and business support, preferably in the railroad industry.
3. Must have two (2) years of supervisory experience.
4. Strong knowledge of the principles and practices of a proactive employee relations strategy (i.e., investigations, discipline, performance management, accommodations, and terminations).
5. Strong knowledge of state and federal employment and labor laws to ensure compliance and fair practices (e.g., Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and laws and statutes covered under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964).
6. Working knowledge of recruitment and talent acquisition processes including workforce planning, selection, and onboarding.
7. Knowledge of customer service principles and practices, business support operating models, and HR service delivery standards.
8. Knowledge of HR metrics and KPIs to turn workforce data into actionable insights that guide decisions.
9. Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiar with Dayforce, UKG Dimensions, or similar human resources information systems (HRIS).
10. Strong written and verbal communications and interpersonal skills to present information to employees and senior leadership and build relationships, trust, drive employee engagement, resolve conflicts, and ensure operational efficiency.
11. Possess a high level of emotional intelligence and conflict resolution skills to foster a healthy, productive company culture, manage high-pressure situations, and bridge the gap between employee well-being and organizational goals.
12. Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills to establish, interpret, and maintain metrics and dashboards needed to transform human resources tasks into strategic, data-driven initiatives.
13. Ability to think strategically to align HR initiatives with long-term business goals, transforming reactive tasks into proactive, value-driven measurable outcomes.
14. Ability to identify patterns and trends, anticipate risk, and escalate issues having enterprise level impact.
15. Ability to design retention strategies, devise methods to improve workplace culture and efficiencies.
16. Ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining service delivery standards and responsiveness and maintain a customerfocused approach while enforcing policy and compliance.
17. Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion within established policy and escalation frameworks and manage highrisk, sensitive, and confidential matters appropriately.
18. Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion within established policy and escalation frameworks and manage highrisk, sensitive, and confidential matters appropriately.
19. Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metra's 6-county region.
20. Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.

Preferred:

1. Master's degree.
2. Experience working in a union environment with strict industry regulations.
3. Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)-Senior Certified Professional (SCP).
4. Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI)-Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
5. Training or certification in workplace investigations, employee relations, or employment law.
6. Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees' use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. For general assistance, please contact talentacquisition@metrarr.com. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Reasonable Accommodations Committee at RAC@metrarr.com.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.