Director of Employee Relations (81687)

HomeFirst • San Jose, CA

1d • $150,000 - $150,000

About The Position

The Director of Employee Relations provides strategic and operational leadership for employee relations, workplace investigations, HR compliance, and people risk mitigation. This role serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, managers, and the People Services team, ensuring fair, consistent, legally compliant, and value-aligned people practices across the agency. The ER Director leads complex employee relations matters, oversees investigations, partners closely with Legal and Executive Leadership, and plays a critical role in policy development and interpretation. This position balances risk management with humanity, ensuring compliance while reinforcing a culture of kindness, passion and excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, a related field, or applicable work experience.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive HR experience, with significant focus on employee relations and investigations.
• Deep knowledge of California employment law and HR compliance.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex workplace investigations.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to manage sensitive situations.

Nice To Haves

• SHRM-CP/SCP, SPHR, or similar certification.
• Experience in nonprofit, human services, healthcare, or public-facing organizations.
• Training in trauma-informed or restorative investigation practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead all employee relations strategy, including consultation on performance management, corrective action, conflict resolution, and workplace conduct.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex, high-risk, or sensitive employee relations matters.
• Coach managers and leaders on effective, legally compliant people management practices.
• Ensure consistency and equity in the application of corrective action and disciplinary processes.
• Oversee all workplace investigations, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, and policy violations.
• Conduct investigations personally when appropriate; otherwise assign, guide, and review investigations led by other assigned HR staff.
• Ensure investigations are timely, neutral, trauma-informed, well-documented, and compliant with California and federal law.
• Review findings, recommend outcomes, and partner with CHRO and leadership on resolution strategies.
• Serve as the People Services subject-matter expert on California employment law and compliance (e.g., wage & hour leaves, accommodations, Fair Chance Act, anti-harassment).
• Identify, assess, and mitigate people-related risk across the organization.
• Collaborate with internal program compliance and risk assessment colleagues.
• Partner with Legal Counsel, insurance carriers, and external investigators as needed.
• Support responses to agency complaints, claims, audits, and regulatory inquiries.
• Lead the development, revision, and interpretation of HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure policies are legally compliant, practical for frontline operations, and aligned with organizational values.
• Support training and communication strategies related to policy changes.
• Collaborate closely with HR Generalists, Talent Development, Payroll, and Operations leadership.
• Contribute to broader People Services strategy, including culture, training, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Support the CHRO in Board-level or executive reporting related to workforce risk and compliance trends.

Benefits

• HomeFirst provides comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage and additional wellness options like chiropractic care, mental health support, pet insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• We offer a 401(k)-retirement plan with generous matching, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, and workers’ compensation.
• Employees enjoy 12 holidays, sick leave, and PTO starting at 15 days annually, increasing with tenure, plus 8 hours of civic engagement leave annually to volunteer.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees