Business Partner, Credit Ratings

The Team:

This role will be part of the People & Culture (P&C) Business Partner Team. At Morningstar, this team is a strategic partner to the business, working closely with leaders to align our people strategies with the company's goals. We focus on cultivating a thriving workplace where employees are empowered to excel and grow. Through targeted programs and initiatives that support both individual and organizational success, P&C plays a crucial role in driving Morningstar's growth and innovation.

The Role:

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced P&C (HR) Business Partner to support our Credit Ratings business, Morningstar DBRS, across the US. This role is critical in aligning people strategies with business objectives, fostering a high-performance culture, and driving initiatives that enhance employee engagement, talent management, and organizational effectiveness. The P&C Business Partner will collaborate closely with leadership, managers, and employees within the Credit Ratings business, offering strategic guidance and operational support to ensure alignment between people strategies and overall business goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic HR Partnership:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders within the Credit Ratings business, providing guidance on HR policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Collaborate with various Centers of Excellence (CoE) P&C teams to develop and implement P&C policies, procedures and solutions which support both the overall company strategy and the unique needs of the Credit Ratings business in the US.
• Partner with leadership to identify workforce challenges and opportunities and develop solutions that drive business success.
• Work closely with business leaders on organizational strategies, such as workforce planning, talent optimization, and change management

Talent Management:

• Lead talent and performance processes to include annual reviews and succession planning.

• Support strategies aimed at the identification, retention and development of top talent within the Credit Ratings business.

• Identify and address talent gaps and organizational development needs.

Employee Engagement and Culture:

• Drive initiatives to enhance employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention within the Credit Ratings business.

• Promote a positive and inclusive work environment that aligns with the company's values and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

• Facilitate change management initiatives and support teams through periods of organizational change.

Employee Relations & HR Operations:

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.

• Actively collaborate with management, Legal, Compliance, and Employee Relations to identify and address potential employment law risks, ensuring appropriate management of legal and compliance matters.

• Support management, compensation and finance in the annual salary plan and incentive compensation processes.

• Work with Hiring Managers, Finance and Talent Acquisition on compensation decisions for new hires and internal transfers / promotions.

• Coordinate with various Centers of Excellence (CoE) P&C teams to ensure onboarding, offboarding, compensation, benefits, and employee recognition programs are operating at optimal levels, and engage in troubleshooting when necessary.

Data-Driven Decision Making:

• Utilize P&C analytics and metrics to provide insights and recommendations to business leaders.

• Monitor and report on key P&C metrics, including turnover, employee engagement, and diversity metrics, to inform strategic decision-making.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with the Global Director, HR Business Partner - Credit Ratings, to ensure alignment of P&C practices and initiatives across regions.

• Communicate effectively with employees and leaders at all levels, ensuring transparency and fostering a culture of open communication.

Qualification / Desired Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in HR, with at least 3 years as an HR Business Partner or in a similar strategic HR role.

• Experience supporting a heavily regulated business such as financial services or credit ratings business is preferred.

• Strong knowledge of US employment laws and regulations.

• Proven ability to develop and implement HR strategies that align with business goals.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• A collaborative team player who demonstrates humility, empathy, curiosity, and openness, fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently and effectively across all levels, building strong, trusted relationships with management and senior leaders to drive influence.

• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.

• Proficiency in HRIS systems and HR analytics tools a plus.

• Proficiency in Excel for data analysis, with a strong ability to interpret and present numerical insights; familiarity with advanced tools like V-lookups and Pivot tables is a plus.

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to work remotely and collaborate in-person each week. We've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis, at least three days each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.