Director – Employee Relations

Director – Employee Relations

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in Employee Relations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in a unionized environment is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in leading complex employee relations strategies at a multi-site or enterprise level.
• Proven ability to influence and partner with senior leaders, HR, and Legal teams in high-stakes situations.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment and labor laws, with the ability to provide strategic guidance on compliance and risk mitigation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Advanced degree (e.g., JD, Master’s in HR) or specialized labor relations training is a plus.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive conversations and build trust across all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience leveraging data and insights to drive decision-making.
• Willingness to travel 25-30% to visit sites and conduct on-site investigations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee complex, high-risk employee investigations, including conducting interviews, reviewing internal systems, drafting investigation reports, and recommending action plans.
• Serve as a key liaison between HR, Legal, and business leaders, ensuring a proactive and aligned approach to employee relations matters.
• Analyze ER trends, provide data-driven insights and strategic recommendations to HR and executive leadership to mitigate risks and enhance workplace culture.
• Develop and implement scalable employee relations programs, policies, and best practices that align with business goals and foster a positive work environment.
• Lead and oversee training initiatives to strengthen manager and leadership capabilities in handling employee relations issues effectively.
• Partner with HR and Legal teams to evaluate and enhance workplace policies, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, helping them navigate complex employee relations matters while balancing business needs and employee advocacy.
• Provide executive-level reporting and insights on ER trends, risk mitigation efforts, and workforce sentiment.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying inefficiencies in current processes and recommending enhancements that promote fairness, consistency, and compliance.
• Maintain confidentiality and sensitivity in handling high-impact and complex employee relations issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a unionized environment is strongly preferred.
• Advanced degree (e.g., JD, Master’s in HR) or specialized labor relations training is a plus.