Human Resources Business Partner III
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 31, 2026. First seen by Alion on Jul 31, 2026. Essential Utilities scores B on the Alion truth index.
Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!
About Essential Utilities
Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.
Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.
We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.
Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.
Step into the role of HR Business Partner III, a strategic partner who collaborates with key business leaders to drive HR initiatives that align with bold business objectives. This position puts you at the heart of the action - serving as a strategic consultant to management on human resource related issues, expertly handling complex employee and labor relations issues, while assessing, anticipating, and resolving HR related needs. You must be able to forge partnerships across the business to deliver value added service to management and employees that are aligned with the business objectives of the organization.
Beyond mastering HR, you’ll dive deep into the business, influencing decisions to achieve standout results, crafting creative solutions to tricky challenges, and leveraging your analytical skills to create impactful financial and economic models.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Develop and lead the people strategies for the business segment in partnership with the leadership team to achieve desired business objectives.
Develop and lead employee relations strategy ensuring continuously improving employee engagement while achieving the objectives of the business.
Develop and lead the business segment’s strategy with respect to its unionized workforces as well as unionized workforces acquired through acquisition.
Provides guidance to leaders on a range of HR topics including coaching, counselling, performance management, career development, compensation, workforce planning, etc.
Maintain knowledge of labor/union issues and best practices to promote positive labor relations.
Provide employee and labor relations support, counseling employees and managers on ways to improve performance and collaboration.
Conduct investigations in response to complaints from various sources.
Partner with leadership to develop succession plans.
Work collaboratively with subject matter experts in HR Centers Of Excellence, including benefits, HRIS, talent acquisition, payroll, and compensation to develop creative solutions, programs, and policies to create a workplace where talented people want to come, stay and thrive.
Track and analyze relevant employment related data, identify trends and engagement opportunities, and propose creative solutions to enhance employee experience.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Advanced knowledge of all aspects of human resources, including, but not limited to, employee and labor relations, organizational design, workforce planning, employment law, human resource best practices, HR policies and procedures, etc.
Ability to quickly understand the organizational structure, practices, and interdepartmental communications.
Demonstrated business acumen and a willingness to lead and effect change
Demonstrated personal leadership
Demonstrated executive presence and in depth experience working with senior management
Experienced in Microsoft Office products (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and Workday.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, verbal, listening, public speaking).
Ability to develop creative and effective solutions with confidential, sensitive, and complex variables
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
7+ years of human resources experience in mid-sized or larger company.
Bachelor's degree in business, human resources, labor relations, or related field.
Advanced PowerPoint and Excel skills and demonstrated ability to build financial models.
Demonstrated ability to manage conflict and creatively and effectively problem-solve.
Demonstrated ability to lead projects, set priorities, and achieve results.
Demonstrated ability to build senior level relationships and influence others in functions outside of HR to achieve the appropriate business result.
Travel approximately 10% to work sites of Essential Utilities.
SPHR/PHR certification a plus.
Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:
- Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinatereporting relationship
- Family members cannot work in the same department.