The Employee Relations Manager serves as a first point of contact on all employee related matters, raising matters that pose risk to the Firm to the Employee Relations Director and/or business leaders. The Employee Relations Manager is a subject matter expert on employment laws and regulations as well HR best practices to mitigate risk and enhance the employee experience. Using a working knowledge of applicable employment laws and HR best practices, the Employee Relations Manager provides guidance and recommends solutions to business leaders and employees on, among other things, policy interpretation, performance management, disability management, job eliminations and other terminations, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions. This position also analyzes trends in Human Resources issues and proactively recommends supportive actions and programs. The Employee Relations Manager leads special projects and plays a critical role in designing and delivering training to business leaders and employees on employee relations related topics. The Employee Relations Manager partners closely with the HR Centers of Knowledge and will be viewed as a back-up to the Employee Relations Director as needed.

Employee Relations Management

• Demonstrate a proactive approach to resolving employee issues and concerns and to identifying employee relations areas of risk to the Firm.
• Provide expertise on the investigation and successful resolution of ER issues and complaints and make risk recommendations to business leaders, with input from the Employee Relations Director and/or Legal as necessary.
• Assist with the development of investigation plans and lead complex investigations to minimize legal risk.
• Ensure that a consistent and equitable process has been applied, make recommendations, and oversee implementation of decisions that lead to the fair and consistent resolution of claims related to discrimination harassment, working conditions, disciplinary actions, and employee and applicant appeals and grievances
• Develop and administer HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance with employment laws and HR best practices; review and assess employment practices and procedures for effectiveness and compliance.
• Respond to HR-related questions and issues from management and/or employees on such topics as policy interpretation, disability management, discipline, workforce restructures, workplace conflicts, job eliminations and other terminations to ensure accurate and consistent interpretation and application of policies and procedures and to maintain compliance with employment law and regulations such as the FMLA (leave laws), ADA, FLSA, Title VII and other applicable federal, state and local laws.
• Provide consultation and education to managers in the performance management process, including assessing the issue, preparing performance documentation, reviewing performance appraisals and coaching managers to provide performance feedback, and counsel employees on the process.
• Investigate complaints and ensures findings are documented and recommendations on remedial actions are made to management as required.
• Lead employee relations projects and/or act as the Employee Relations representative of other HR-related projects.
• Design and deliver training to business leaders and employees on employee relations related topics.

Analysis & Administration

• Conduct internal audits of employee relations issues to identify trends or situations that need training, counseling or policy refinements.
• Develop, modify and maintain tracking tools and reports which identify employee relations trends and issues to be addressed.
• Work with legal to gather data/information relevant to employment and discrimination claims, charges and cases.
• Oversee and/or conduct employee exit interviews, to gather insight and intelligence on root causes of employee dissatisfaction

HR Partnership

• Provide internal support to HR Centers of Knowledge, as required.
• Work with HR Business Partners to develop action plans to mitigate employee issues
• Assist HR Centers of Knowledge in supporting, organizing and executing departmental projects

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; JD with employment law a plus
• 10+ years’ experience working in an Employee Relations or HRBP role
• Expert knowledge of relevant state and federal employment laws and HR best practices required
• Experience working in the financial services industry highly preferred
• Excellent communication, decision making and problem-solving skills
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills including interacting with senior leaders
• Ability to analyze complex situations and make recommendations
• Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment
• Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality regarding employee information

This role is based in our Boston location and is a hybrid role, with a minimum of three days per week in office.