Employee Relations Manager

Overview: The Employee Relations Manager serves as the organization’s subject matter expert in employee relations, providing strategic guidance and hands-on support for workplace investigations, performance management, corrective action, policy interpretation, and employment-related matters. This working manager oversees complex employee relations cases and directly supervises assigned HR professionals while partnering with operational leadership to support fair, consistent, and compliant employment practices.

Overview:

The Employee Relations Manager serves as the organization’s subject matter expert in employee relations, providing strategic guidance and hands-on support for workplace investigations, performance management, corrective action, policy interpretation, and employment-related matters. This working manager oversees complex employee relations cases and directly supervises assigned HR professionals while partnering with operational leadership to support fair, consistent, and compliant employment practices.

Responsibilities:

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Directly supervises a team of two or more

Duties/Rsponsibilities: 

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert and escalation resource for sensitive and complex employee relations matters.
• Lead and oversee timely, objective workplace investigations involving complaints, misconduct, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and conflict; document findings and recommend appropriate action.
• Review disciplinary recommendations, performance improvement plans, demotions, and proposed separations for appropriate documentation, consistency, and potential risk.
• Coach field and office leadership on performance management, difficult conversations, policy application, conflict resolution, and employee accountability.
• Direct, coach, develop, and evaluate assigned HR staff; manage workloads, case assignments, quality standards, and escalation practices.
• Provide oversight and technical guidance to the HR Generalist on employee lifecycle matters, compliance, policy administration, and manager support.
• Interpret company policies and collaborate with HR leadership on updates to handbook provisions, practices, and procedures.
• Identify and escalate employment-law, compliance, and organizational risks, collaborating with senior HR leadership and legal counsel as needed.
• Develop training, investigation resources, documentation templates, and standardized case management workflows.
• Analyze employee relations patterns and recommend proactive improvements; collaborate cross functionally as needed.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and confidential case records and ensure timely follow-up and resolution.

Qualifications:

Required Skills, Education, and Experience:

 

• Advanced knowledge of employee relations practices, investigations, corrective action, and relevant employment laws.
• Strong judgment, risk assessment, interviewing, analytical, conflict resolution, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop HR professionals and influence leaders across a dispersed workforce.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, preserve confidentiality, and handle sensitive matters with professionalism.
• Proficiency in HR information systems, case documentation, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Five years of progressive HR experience, including substantial employee relations and workplace investigations experience.
• Previous experience supervising, coaching, or leading HR professionals.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification preferred.
• Multi-state, field-based, or hourly workforce experience preferred.