Employee Relations Specialist

We are seeking an experienced and pragmatic Employee Relations Specialist to support a small and high-maintenance team within our organization. This role is responsible for navigating a wide range of employee relations (ER) matters, from performance management to investigations to terminations, while building capability to proactively and consistently address issues within the team. This is a mid-level position ideal for someone who brings ER experience and business savvy, with a passion for both problem solving and pattern spotting. The Specialist will work closely with the HR Operations Program Manager, Legal, and the Sr HR Business Partner, ensuring a consistent and integrated approach to supporting the business. They will also collaborate with business leaders to identify root causes, surface meaningful insights, and help connect the dots to broader organizational impact. Duties and responsibilities Manage a portfolio of ER cases within the designated team, including: Conducting or supporting investigations into policy violations, interpersonal conflict, or misconduct Guiding performance management actions, including documentation, corrective action plans, and terminations Supporting involuntary separations with attention to risk mitigation and organizational values Partner closely with the HR Operations Program Manager to ensure consistent handling, documentation, and resolution of ER matters in alignment with enterprise-wide practices Collaborate with the Sr HR Business Partner to align on people strategy, surface emerging themes, and ensure seamless support to the business. Partner with Legal on escalated or high-risk cases to ensure compliance and mitigate risk Coach and advise managers on how to address behavior and performance issues early and effectively Facilitate training or targeted development for leaders, within designated team, to build skills in managing employee performance and conduct Analyze ER case data, flag recurring themes or risk areas, and translate these into meaningful trends, insights, and recommendations Communicate findings clearly and concisely to Head of HRBPs and business leaders with a focus on root cause and potential business impact (“the so what”) Maintain accurate case documentation, track actions and timelines, and ensure alignment with policies, procedures, and legal requirements Review timecards to ensure adherence to travel time policy and identify potential discrepancies or policy violations During non-peak periods, may support the HR Operations Program Manager with additional investigations, data analysis, or compiling ER insights to inform broader trends and initiatives May support or lead special projects as needed Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field 3-5 years of HR experience with at least 2 years in an employee relations role with direct case management responsibilities Demonstrated experience handling performance management, corrective actions, and investigations Strong understanding of employment law, workplace policy application, and HR best practices Prior experience partnering with Legal and senior HR team members Excellent judgment, discretion, and ability to manage sensitive and confidential information Skilled at identifying root causes, drawing insights from qualitative and quantitative data, and tailoring messaging to business audience Comfortable navigating ambiguity and influencing outcomes without formal authority Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to craft clear summaries, reports, and talking points for leaders Travel required – up to 10% Preferred Qualifications Track record of working with teams that require high-touch support Comfortable balancing empathy with accountability Ability to create and lead small-scale training sessions and coaching conversations with managers Curious mindset with a desire to continuously learn and improve ER ... (truncated, view full listing at source)