Associate Relations Manager

Antech Diagnostics•New York, NY

1d•$99,000 - $124,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Relations Manager serves as a subject matter expert responsible for delivering consistent, proactive, and risk-informed Associate Relations support across the organization. This role partners with business leaders, P&O Business Partners, Legal. and Centers of Excellence to resolve workplace matters, strengthen leadership capability, and support a positive Associate experience. The Associate Relations Manager leads workplace investigations, provides consultation on performance management and corrective action strategies, manages Associate concerns, analyzes workforce trends, and develops proactive solutions that mitigate organizational risk. This role leverages data, insights, and Associate feedback to identify trends, influence business decisions, and support a culture of fairness, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and progressive HR experience considered.
7+ years of progressive Human Resources experience preferred.
5+ years specialized experience in Associate Relations, Employee Relations, workplace investigations, or related field.
Demonstrated experience independently advising leaders on Associate matters, workplace investigations, performance management, corrective actions, accommodations, and organizational risk.
Experience supporting multi-site, multi-state organizations required.
Advanced knowledge of Associate Relations practices, workplace investigations, employment laws, and risk mitigation.
Decision Quality
Stakeholders' Management/Interpersonal Savvy
Excellent communication, coaching, conflict resolution, and consultation skills.
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience utilizing data and workforce insights to identify trends and develop proactive solutions preferred.
HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR) preferred.
Experience utilizing case management systems and analytics tools.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and P&O partners regarding Associate relations matters, workplace concerns, policy interpretation, and employment practices.
Provide guidance and recommendations on Associate situations while balancing Associate experience, day-to-day business objectives, compliance requirements, and organizational risk.
Coach leaders on effective performance management practices, documentation expectations, corrective action decisions, and Associate communication.
Support organizational change initiatives, restructures, workforce transitions, and other business initiatives by providing Associate relations expertise and risk assessment.
Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Compliance, Total Rewards, Leave Administration, Talent Acquisition, and other stakeholders to ensure aligned Associate solutions.
Independently lead complex, sensitive, and high-risk workplace investigations from inception to completion. These may involve allegations such as harassment, discrimination, retaliation, policy violations, workplace conduct, leadership concerns, and other Associate matters.
Conduct interviews and investigations, assess credibility, analyze information, prepare findings, and recommend appropriate actions.
Ensure investigations are conducted objectively, consistently, timely, and in accordance with company standards and applicable laws.
Identify root causes and recommend proactive solutions to address workplace trends and prevent recurrence.
Own Associate Relations consultation related to performance concerns, disciplinary action, performance improvement plans, and separations.
Review corrective action recommendations to ensure consistency, fairness, documentation quality, and risk mitigation.
Partner with leaders to strengthen accountability while maintaining alignment with organizational values and employment practices.
Develop tools, resources, and training to improve leader effectiveness in managing Associate performance.
Utilize data to advise interventions related to culture, leadership effectiveness, retention, and Associate experience.
Translate Associate relations data into actionable insights and recommendations for leaders.
Support development of dashboards, quarterly business reviews, and workforce risk reporting.
Identify themes related to culture, leadership effectiveness, Associate experience, and retention.
Support implementation, and governance of Associate Relations policies, procedures, and resources.
Ensure consistent application of policies across multiple locations and jurisdictions.
Maintain knowledge of federal, state, provincial, and local employment laws and evolving workplace trends.
Support compliance initiatives, audits, and process improvements.
Develop and deliver training for leaders and P&O partners related to: Investigations, Performance management, Corrective action, Respectful workplace expectations, Associate concerns, Documentation practices.
Build manager capability to proactively address workplace issues and improve Associate experience.