Director of Employee Relations and HR Compliance

CARDEA HEALTH • Oakland, CA

1d • $140,000 - $160,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Employee Relations and HR Compliance is responsible for leading Cardea Health and Cardea Health’s supporting organizations’ employee relations, employment compliance, workplace investigations, performance management governance, and employment risk management functions. This position serves as the organization's primary subject matter expert on employment law, employee relations practices, corrective action, workplace conduct, accommodations, leave compliance, and employment-related regulatory requirements. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and working in close partnership with the Director of People & Culture Operations and Chief Administrative Officer/General Counsel, the Senior Director of Compliance, the Director of ER and HR compliance ensures the consistent, fair, and legally compliant administration of employment practices across the organization. This role provides strategic oversight of employee relations programs, conducts or oversees complex workplace investigations, manages employment-related compliance initiatives, and supervises the Employee Relations Manager. The Director serves as a key advisor to leadership on employee matters while reducing organizational risk and strengthening Cardea's capacity to effectively manage employee relations and compliance responsibilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Legal Studies, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in employee relations, HR compliance, workplace investigations, employment law, or related human resources leadership functions.
• Working knowledge of California employment law, specifically Alameda County and San Francisco County
• Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations and managing complex employee relations matters.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Experience developing and implementing employment policies and procedures.
• Experience supervising staff and managing performance.
• Strong analytical, communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

Nice To Haves

• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or other relevant HR certification.
• Workplace Investigation Certificate or equivalent investigation training.
• Experience in healthcare, nonprofit, behavioral health, housing, social services, or community-based organizations.
• Experience partnering with legal counsel on employment matters.
• Experience responding to employment-related agency claims and audits.
• Strong knowledge of California employment law and multi-state employment compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the organization's employee relations program.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop the Employee Relations Manager.
• Partner with executive leadership, department leaders, and managers to address complex employee concerns and workplace issues.
• Serve as an escalation point for sensitive and high-risk employee relations matters.
• Promote consistency, accountability, and fairness in the application of employment policies and practices.
• Monitor employee relations trends and recommend proactive solutions to address organizational risk.
• Oversee the organization's performance management framework and related processes.
• Develop tools, resources, and training that support effective performance management practices.
• Provide guidance to leadership regarding performance concerns, disciplinary actions, and employee accountability.
• Review and approve formal corrective actions, performance improvement plans, and high-risk employment actions.
• Ensure documentation and employment actions are consistent, equitable, and compliant with applicable laws and organizational policies.
• Partner with leaders to address ongoing employee performance concerns and workplace conduct issues.
• Conduct and oversee investigations involving employee complaints, workplace misconduct, policy violations, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, ethics concerns, and other employment-related matters.
• Develop investigation protocols, standards, and documentation requirements.
• Prepare investigation findings, recommendations, and corrective action plans with the Employee Relations Manager
• Ensure investigations are conducted objectively, confidentially, and in accordance with organizational standards and legal requirements.
• Partner with legal counsel and the Compliance department on complex or high-risk investigations.
• Monitor federal, state, and local employment law requirements and assess organizational impact.
• Serve as the organization's subject matter expert on employment-related compliance issues.
• Develop and implement employment compliance initiatives, corrective actions, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Lead employment-related compliance reviews and internal audits.
• Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, labor law posting requirements, personnel record requirements, and applicable employment regulations.
• Maintain awareness of emerging employment law trends and regulatory changes.
• Manage employee-related regulatory compliance reporting, including annual CRD pay data reporting.
• Provide oversight and guidance regarding compliance requirements related to employee leaves of absence.
• Oversee compliance with FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, workers' compensation leave requirements, and other applicable state and federal leave laws.
• Lead and support the interactive process and reasonable accommodation program.
• Review complex leave and accommodation matters to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Partner closely with the People & Culture Operations team regarding leave administration and related processes.
• Ensure appropriate documentation and record keeping practices are maintained.
• Oversee the organization's background screening and adjudication processes.
• Ensure compliance with Fair Chance Act requirements and applicable employment laws.
• Review and provide guidance regarding individualized assessments and adverse action processes when required.
• Maintain policies, procedures, and documentation related to pre-employment screening programs.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and People Operations teams to ensure compliant hiring practices.
• Coordinate responses to employment-related agency inquiries, complaints, audits, and investigations.
• Oversee unemployment insurance claims, appeals, and hearings.
• Partner with legal counsel regarding employment claims and workforce-related matters.
• Manage employment-related compliance activities related to workers’ compensation claims and return-to-work processes, including claims management, injury investigations, OSHA reporting, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain documentation and records supporting organizational compliance efforts.
• Analyze employment-related trends and risks and provide recommendations to leadership.
• Develop and facilitate training for managers related to employment law, workplace investigations, documentation practices, corrective action, performance management, accommodations, and employee relations.
• Support leadership development through coaching and consultation related to workforce management.
• Collaborate with People & Culture Operations, Compliance, and organizational leadership to strengthen accountability and compliance practices.
• Contribute to organizational initiatives that support a positive, compliant, and high-performing workplace culture.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, EAP, life insurance, long-term disability, HSA or FSA, Dependent Care FSA, voluntary benefits, paid sick leave, paid vacation time, birthday time off, and 401(k) with up to 3.5% employer match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director