Senior Manager, Employee Relations

Job Summary

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company is a global healthcare company with the corporate philosophy: “Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide.” Otsuka researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative products, with a focus on pharmaceutical products to meet unmet medical needs and nutraceutical products for the maintenance of everyday health.

The Senior Manager, Employee Relations, will be a champion of Otsuka’s culture and values. This role will work directly with a Senior member of the HR community, reporting to the Director, Employee Relations. This role supports the Director and our business leaders to investigate employee relations issues presented from across our US pharma business, assess risk related to employee claims, navigate change, and help to build a sustainable ER organization for the future. This role works in close collaboration with members of our Employee Relations Committee (ERC). The successful candidate will be required to monitor the effect of business decisions on people and advise management appropriately. This individual must not be afraid to challenge the status quo and must be able to present strong positions based on evidence and fact finding. The successful candidate is learning agile and able to deal with ambiguity while addressing complex issues and reaching and/or recommending clear and coherent solutions.

The Senior Manager is expected to stay current on Federal and State laws that impact the company and/or the employees. They must be able to understand the potential longer-term implications related to Federal, State, or local policy changes and help formulate a position that protects the company and its interests.

This position is based in Princeton, New Jersey. Otsuka maintains a hybrid work policy and Travel is expected ~15% of the time based on business needs.

Job Description

Working with our Business

• Conduct investigations in response to a range of employee relations concerns, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace violence, and other violations of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Highly skilled in managing employee relations issues including participation in internal investigations and providing recommendations for resolution
• Partner with Ethics and Compliance on issues that have larger impact beyond Employee Relations and implications to the overall business
• Partner with Legal Affairs team in addressing ER-related legal concerns and HR leaders to provide counsel and facilitate prompt and effective resolution of workplace concerns
• Use effective interviewing and documentation techniques and utilize the designated online case management tool for tracking
• Report regularly regarding pending investigations and provide timely investigation reports with supporting documentation for all completed investigations
• Collaborate with the Director of Employee Relations and HR Business Partners to provide guidance on performance management processes, including coaching, counseling, and performance improvement plans
• Work with Director of Employee Relations to develop and reinforce an employee relations strategy and philosophy that provides clarity of direction, reliable measurement and clear feedback
• Able to identify the longer-term impact related to case issues to provide a full view related to potential risks
• Reinforce an employee relations strategy and philosophy that provides clarity of direction, reliable measurement and clear feedback
• Work closely with management and employees, under the guidance of the Director of Employee Relations, to improve work relationships, amplify engagement, and increase productivity and retention
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-business employee relations needs

Working with our HR Team

• Conduct trainings on compliance with policies and procedures
• Develop effective relationships with HR Business Partners to promote positive employee relations throughout the organization to ensure a high level of employee satisfaction and engagement
• Partner with HR Centers of Excellence (COE’s) which include Operations, Total Rewards, HRIS, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, and DE&I to share insights and advice that may impact how we operate

Qualifications/ Required

Knowledge/ Experience and Required Skills:

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required. Degree in Business, Human Resources Management, or related field preferred
• Understanding of HR legal compliance requirements and understanding of HR programs relative to support of business objectives required
• 5+ years of substantive experience in Employee Relations as a subject matter expert- extensive experience conducting investigations, performance management (including advising managers on how to do so), making recommendations, and partnering with in-house counsel. Able to demonstrate outcomes that have led to actionable and supportive plans.
• Pharmaceutical/biotech and or healthcare industry experience is preferred
• Strong interpersonal, writing, communication, organizational, project management and presentation skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook)

Required Skills

• Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced, high-performance environment
• Proven ability and strong influencing skills, decision making, and resilience
• Comfortable with ambiguity and being a part of complex strategy discussions with team members and leaders
• Strategic thinker with experience in execution of complex, cross-functional projects and programs
• Compelling oral and written communicator with the ability to build relationships with senior leaders and a range of stakeholders to drive organizational change
• Ability to objectively coach employees and management through complex, difficult, and emotional issues
• Excellent planning, organization and time management skills, attention to detail, ability to handle multiple tasks, and work in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment
• Ability to work effectively in an environment of change and manage multiple priorities concurrently through strong project management, systems knowledge, and effective communication
• Self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team setting in order to build personal brand and to develop a network of relationships across the organization

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Accommodation Request .

Competencies
Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.
Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.
Impactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.
Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.
Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.

Minimum $134,615.00 - Maximum $201,250.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidate’s job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically, actual pay will be positioned within the established range, rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.

Company benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, company provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, a generous 401(k) match, flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits.

Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https://www.otsuka-us.com/careers-join-otsuka .

Statement Regarding Job Recruiting Fraud Scams

At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives. They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.

Please understand, Otsuka will never ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment.

Otsuka will also never ask you to download a third-party application in order to communicate about a legitimate job opportunity. Scammers may also send offers or claims from a fake email address or from Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, and not from an official Otsuka email address. Please take extra caution while examining such an email address, as the scammers may misspell an official Otsuka email address and use a slightly modified version duplicating letters.

To ensure that you are communicating about a legitimate job opportunity at Otsuka, please only deal directly with Otsuka through its official Otsuka Career website https://vhr-otsuka.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External .

Otsuka will not be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages or expenses resulting from job recruiting scams. If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact Otsuka’s call center at: 800-363-5670. If you believe you are the victim of fraud resulting from a job recruiting scam, please contact the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at: https://www.ic3.gov , or your local authorities.

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and Otsuka Precision Health, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.