Director of People Relations
About The Position
The Director of People Relations leads the strategy, programs, and practices that shape a fair, consistent, and positive employee experience across the organization. This role oversees employee relations policies, investigations, conflict resolution, and manager coaching while also providing broad generalist support in areas such as performance management, onboarding, policy development, and employee lifecycle processes. The Director serves as a trusted advisor to leadership. The Director ensures compliance with employment laws, promotes a culture of respect and accountability, and drives proactive initiatives that strengthen engagement, culture, and organizational health. Reporting directly to the VP of HR, the Director will develop and lead the organization’s employee relations strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and company values. The Director will serve as the primary advisor to leaders on employee relations matters, including performance management, conflict resolution, and organizational change.
Requirements
- Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, prioritize among competing priorities, and meet deadlines
- Flexibility to adapt to changing environments and organizational needs
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to sit at workstation for prolonged periods of time, consistent with OSHA suggestions and requirements.
- Ability to lift packages up to 10 pounds
- Ability to travel to multiple building locations on and off campus
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive HR experience, including significant employee relations and HR generalist responsibilities
- Strong knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices
- Proven ability to influence leaders, navigate ambiguity, and manage sensitive situations with confidentiality and discretion
- Successfully complete background check suitability requirements
- Must have reliable transportation
Nice To Haves
- Experience in a mission-driven, multi-site, or human services organization
Responsibilities
- Build and maintain a consistent, equitable approach to employee relations across all locations
- Establish clear standards for case management, documentation, and service delivery
- Foster a culture of collaboration, learning, and professional growth
- Establish and maintain employee relations metrics, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms to track trends, identify risks, and measure the effectiveness of employee relations programs and interventions
- Analyze employee relations data to uncover root causes, recommend proactive solutions, and inform leadership decision making
- Oversee and conduct sensitive, high-risk workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, and policy violations
- Ensure investigations are timely, thorough, well documented, and compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Partner with VP of HR and external counsel, as required.
- Maintain case management systems and ensure high standards of documentation and confidentiality
- Provide day-to-day back-up support to leaders and employees across the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding, performance management, payroll, employee development, HRIS, and offboarding
- Partner with the HR team to support workforce planning, job design, and organizational development initiatives
- Guide managers through performance improvement plans, corrective actions, and coaching conversations
- Support compensation and benefits processes by advising employees, interpreting policies, and partnering with HR team
- Assist with performance reviews, talent calibration, engagement surveys, and policy updates
- Serve as a resource for employees seeking guidance on policies, benefits, and workplace concerns
- Lead the development, interpretation, and communication of policies, procedures, and employee-facing guidelines
- Partner with legal, compliance, and VP of HR to ensure adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws
- Proactively monitor regulatory changes and recommend updates to policies and practices
- Identify organizational risks and recommend mitigation strategies to VP of HR.
- Provide guidance and coaching to managers on performance management, conflict resolution, team dynamics, and policy interpretation
- In coordination with the Senior Director of Talent and Workforce Strategy develop and deliver training programs that strengthen leadership capability in handling employee relations
- Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and respectful communication
- Collaborate with HR team to assess organizational climate and recommend strategies to improve engagement and retention
- Support initiatives that reinforce company culture, employee well-being and a positive work environment
- Use data and insights to identify systemic issues and drive continuous improvement
- All other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Comprehensive, trauma-informed residential, educational, and clinical services
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
