Human Resources Manager

About SCC

Most people are familiar with the Seattle Convention Center (SCC) because we host a large variety of meetings, events, and conventions. That is the primary role we play – the Center provides a venue in which people gather from around the region, the nation and the world to share ideas, celebrate and learn.

But our role goes well beyond that. The Center has a longstanding commitment to positively impact the lives of those in our region and beyond, advancing the common good. The legacy of our civic actions for the community holds as true today as it began over three decades ago. Read more about our Community Impact here.

Employees are the heartbeat of this extraordinary service culture and contribute to our collective success in the vibrant core of downtown Seattle.

Position Summary

The HR Manager will have both administrative and strategic responsibilities with benefits, leaves of absences, and employee relations. Together with HR Leadership, this role develops and implements people processes to support organizational goals. This individual will be the subject matter expert on administration of complex leaves of absences and employee benefits, as well as managing employee relations cases with professionalism, consistency, and confidentiality. This individual will collaborate and communicate with groups from all levels of the organization, from entry-level employees to Executive Leadership, adapting their approach to ensure understanding and alignment. In addition, this role carries supervisory responsibilities, including assigning work, providing coaching, and supporting the performance and development of assigned staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

General Human Resources:

• Participates in developing and implementing HR department goals, objectives, and processes.
• Trusted advisor to employees, supporting them on day-to-day HR matters, HR initiatives, policies, and procedures.
• Analyzes and interprets data, conducts cost-benefit analyses, and makes data-informed recommendations.
• Participate in organization-wide governance and committees as required.
• In collaboration with the HR Generalist – Talent Acquisition & Development, facilitate new employee orientation and other staff activities as needed.

Benefits Administration:

• Performs benefits administration, including initial enrollment, change reporting, and submitting invoices for premium payment.
• Work closely with the appropriate insurance brokers/trust representative, union trusts, and the SCC Accounting Department to ensure the proper coverage is maintained.
• Perform tasks necessary to ensure the monthly/quarterly/annual invoices for insurance premiums are accurately processed and forwarded to the SCC Accounting Department in a timely manner. Ensure that insurance premiums are paid for employees who meet the appropriate eligibility criteria as defined in the labor contract and/or the guidelines for non-represented employees.
• Act as a liaison between the SCC Retirement Committee, the Retirement Plans Record-keeper, and the Trust Manager to ensure that the retirement plans are in compliance with guidelines, IRS Codes, and other federal laws. Oversee the distribution of participant statements on a quarterly basis. Coordinate quarterly employee Retirement Plans meetings. Facilitate the contract(s) RFQ, bid/quote, and/or renewal processes. Maintain current information of trends or new legislative development in pension plans. Make recommendations to leadership and committees.
• Supports employees and educates management on personnel policies, internal processes, and contract compliance as it pertains to benefits administration.
• Communicates complex benefit and leave concepts to diverse audiences, both verbally and written.
• Evaluates benefits processes to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment and benefits laws and regulations.
• Oversee the partnership for the 401(a) and 457(b) retirement plans, ensuring they comply with relevant regulations and prepare necessary reports.
• Responsible for the execution of all employee Wellness & Benefits events, in partnership with internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate with other leave benefit plans such as worker's compensation, short and long-term disability plans, life insurance, and COBRA.

Leave of Absence Administration:

• Supports employees and educates management on personnel policies, internal processes, and contract compliance as it pertains to leave of absence.
• Monitor legislation and notify HR management of changes that affect the leave and disability plans and assist in the implementation of needed changes.
• Responsible for intake, evaluation, and processing of requests for leaves related to medical reasons, non-medical leaves, and ADA according to federal and state laws, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Work with employees to ensure clear understanding of leave rights and responsibilities as well as leave options available per their collective bargaining agreement.
• Collaborate with people managers regarding application of organizational policies and practices regarding eligibility, definition, paid/unpaid status, continuation of benefits, accommodation and return-to-work relating to leaves of absence.
• Oversee HR Assistant who distributes leave related materials, resolving discrepancies or issues when necessary.
• Clear understanding of how different types of leaves impact benefits differently and be able to clearly communicate differences verbally and in written formats.
• Oversee the return-to-work processes for personnel returning from extended leaves of absence, which may include accommodation requests.
• Coordinate with the people managers to track Workers Compensation claims and leaves.
• Monitor compliance of usage of various leaves; resolve discrepancies, and report misuse to managers.
• Serve as Unemployment Liaison, completing forms and participating in hearings.

Employee and Labor Relations

• Assist the Director in advising leadership regarding policies, rules, and regulations; ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Provide guidance to managers and employees on employee relations issues, performance management, conflict resolution, and progressive discipline.
• Conduct thorough, timely, and objective investigations into employee complaints, grievances, or workplace concerns, and recommend appropriate resolutions.
• Assist the Director in providing overall management, leadership, and direction for the HR Department.
• Partner with leadership and the HR team to anticipate organizational challenges, support organizational design, and manage change initiatives that promote a high performing, engaged workforce.
• Interpret collective bargaining agreements and ensure consistent application across departments; provide consultation and training to leaders on contract compliance.
• Support and participate in labor negotiations by providing data analysis, drafting proposals, and ensuring accurate documentation of bargaining sessions.
• Monitor trends in employee relations and labor law to recommend proactive strategies for risk mitigation and policy improvement.
• Maintain accurate records of investigations, grievances, and labor relations activities to ensure compliance and support data-driven decision-making.
• Collaborate with HR leadership on workforce engagement strategies to strengthen culture, retention, and employee satisfaction.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to see, talk, hear, sit, stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 4 years of experience in Human Resources; 2 years managing people or processes
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Management or related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Human Resources Certifications PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP and/or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)
• HR experience in the Hospitality/Tourism industry and in a unionized multishift organization.
• Experience using HRIS systems (i.e. ADP and UKG).
• Proficient in MS Office 365 tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, MS Teams, Sharepoint)

• Experience with Worker's Comp / OSHA reporting.

• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Benefits Highlights:

• Pay: $96,644.00-$150,263.00 based on experience and qualifications.
• Paid Leave benefits
• Vacation (12 days in first year)
• Paid holidays (11 set by SCC, 2 personal)
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 457(b) retirement savings plan
• Subsidized transportation and parking benefits

Work Location: Seattle, WA 98101.

Disability Accommodations and Equal Employment Opportunity

If accommodations are required either to complete the application process and/or attend an interview, please contact the Human Resources Department at

Seattle Convention Center is committed to the policy of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual preference, orientation, gender identity, genetic information, pregnancy, age, religion, veteran status, military status, disability, or any other status protected by law.

Notes on the Application Process

• This position will remain open until filled. Review of applications will begin immediately.
• Only applications submitted directly to Seattle Convention Center's jobs page will be considered; applications submitted via external websites / apps will not be received.
• A current resumé may be submitted in lieu of filling out the attached Application for Employment only if it includes accurate dates – including month and year – of both previous employment and any relevant experience/education history.
• In the event your application is selected for interview, a hiring representative will reach out via your provided phone or email contact information. The final hiring process will involve employment reference checks and a criminal background check.