Human Resources Business Partner

Ariel Investments is a premier, boutique, asset management firm. Our primary goal is to drive exceptional investment returns by bringing diverse perspectives together. The only way to beat a benchmark is to not look like one. As value investors, our thinking is deliberate and unconventional. We offer an independent, patient investing approach and aim to deliver excellence in any environment. We uphold our fiduciary responsibility to every shareholder, no matter how big or small.

At Ariel, we strongly believe that teamwork yields results—which is why we have Co-CEOs. John Rogers and Mellody Hobson share a desire to cultivate leaders who are curious, focused and disciplined. We are nimble and efficient. Our drive is fanatical and intentional. Everyone plays their position, and each contribution is critical to our firm’s success. We seek subject matter experts who are unapologetically themselves. We encourage our employees to reach their full potential and we give them the runway to do so.

After four decades of active investing, we remain committed to our clients, our teammates and our community. We strive to be best-in-class investors and pioneer a path for those who entrust us with their financial future.

Position Summary:

The Human Resources Business Partner will provide comprehensive HR support across all areas of the organization. This individual will collaborate with various departments, implement HR strategies, foster employee engagement, and ensure compliance with HR policies and procedures. The HR Business Partner will interpret workforce analytics to help leaders make informed decisions and highlight areas of improvement to ensure and advance organizational goals. This individual additionally needs to have strong business acumen and a strategic mindset to better optimize productivity and performance of the HR department and business as a whole. Position will be located in our NYC Office.

Responsibilities:

• Analyze and assist in continuous improvement of the organization’s internal HR information services system (HRIS), which may include database management, network support, customization, development, maintenance, and upgrades to applications, systems and modules.
• Develop and implement HR strategies to advance the firm’s organizational goals and HR initiatives; define, analyze, and document business case.
• Collaborate with HR subject matter experts (SMEs) to provide support on applicable HR processes, procedures and/or systems.
• Design surveys pertaining to HR initiatives (onboarding, wellness, business orientation, manager meetings, etc.) and review and interpret survey results to drive toward meaningful business results for leaders.
• Manage day-to-day HR transactions for the HR department and office hospitality as needed.
• Establish and maintain a thorough understanding of the departments and the business as a whole in order to build effective and productive working relationships with team members and leaders.
• Develop and implement human capital strategies relevant to market trends to support a lean operating business.
• Work with the Talent Acquisition Manager and Senior Manager of People Analytics to identify training needs and ensure training programs are aligned with business objectives.
• Collaborate with management and personnel to ensure positive employee relations, a good working environment, increased morale and mitigate unwanted turnover.
  
  
  

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field required.
• 7+ years of Human Resources experience, specifically within private equity is highly desired.
• Experience in developing and improving compensation plans suited for private equity models, such as carried interest.
• Advanced competency in Microsoft applications such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and SharePoint.
• Familiarity with human resource policies and procedures to ensure the HR departments meets organizational needs and goals including knowledge of industry trends, labor laws and regulations.
• Strong attention to detail in all duties and responsibilities; ability to work independently, take initiative and responsibility; versatile enough to achieve short-term results in a fast-paced, change-oriented environment, while simultaneously helping shape the future of the HR department.
• Practical experience with HR database administration, systems and processes.
• Self-starter with high level of initiative; the ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities to bring greater automation and ensure delivery on a variety of HR related processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Proven ability to prioritize and manage a number of ongoing, diverse projects effectively.
• Strong business acumen, emotional intelligence and analytical skills.
• Prior history of working with private and sensitive information and ability to maintain the confidentiality of such records and information.
  
  
  

Compliance:

Ariel employees, including the incumbent(s) in this position, are required to: (1) read and strictly adhere to all compliance policies and procedures of the various Ariel entities, as applicable; and (2) work together with their colleagues, including the CCO, to resolve compliance issues.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Diversity:

Ariel celebrates diversity and practices inclusion as a way to get work done – it’s in our DNA. As an equal opportunity employer, employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, parental status (including pregnancy), disability, perceived disability, veteran status, status of military discharge, or any other basis under federal, state, or local law. Ariel prohibits discrimination against an applicant or employee because of their actual or perceived protected characteristic(s), and is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing a diverse group of talented applicants, and to providing employees with a workplace free from discrimination and/or harassment.

Equal employment opportunity takes place in all employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, and termination. The firm seeks to uphold an inclusive culture where diversity is recognized and valued. As such, Ariel provides employees a robust benefits package that includes:

• Coverage for same-sex partner (domestic or spouse)
• Coverage for children (natural born, step, adopted or foster)
• Fully paid medical insurance that covers fertility treatments, gender affirmation
• Employer contributions to a Health Savings Account
• Maternity leave at 100% pay (12 weeks)
• Paid Parental Leave (up to 12 weeks depending on tenure)
  
  
  

Lastly, all employees have access to Ariel-sponsored educational, training, and recreational activities.