Employee Relations Consultant

Northwestern Mutual • Milwaukee, WI

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Employee Relations Consultant serves as an enterprise‑level advisor and subject matter expert, providing independent, consultative guidance on complex and high‑risk employee relations matters. This role operates with significant autonomy and judgment, advising leaders, HR partners, and cross‑functional stakeholders on sensitive workforce issues that require a balance of legal risk mitigation, business outcomes, and employee experience. The ER consultant is accountable for end-to-end leadership of employee relations investigations. The ER Consultant leads and influences outcomes in situations involving elevated complexity, ambiguity, or reputational risk, and plays a key role in building organizational and HR capability through coaching, consultation, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in employee relations, HR consulting and conducting workplace investigations, including regular exposure to high‑risk or complex matters.
• Demonstrated labor relations experience, including experience leading or participating in negotiations of Collective Bargaining Agreements, handling grievances, and/or resolving unfair labor practice claims.
• Strong working knowledge of employment laws and regulations (e.g., Title VII, NLRA, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, OSHA and applicable state and local laws).
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex cases and investigations with minimal oversight.
• Proven success operating in ambiguous environments where judgment, influence, and enterprise perspective are critical.
• Ability to influence leaders and stakeholders without direct authority, using sound reasoning and credibility.
• Strong analytical, decision‑making, and risk‑assessment skills.
• Advanced written communication skills, including drafting investigation reports, executive‑level summaries, and risk assessments.
• High level of discretion, confidentiality, emotional intelligence, and resilience when handling sensitive or contentious matters.
• Strong prioritization and case‑management capability in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proactive, consultative mindset with the ability to identify and assess any emerging risks or trends.

Nice To Haves

• PHR, SPHR strongly preferred
• Master's degree in Human Resources or Labor Relations preferred

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted consultant on medium‑ to high‑risk employee relations matters, including allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace misconduct, and complex performance or behavioral concerns.
• Provide strategic, defensible guidance to leaders and HR partners on risk mitigation, corrective action, and disciplinary decisions, ensuring alignment with employment law, company policy, and enterprise values.
• Exercise independent judgment in navigating situations where legal exposure, business priorities, and employee experience intersect.
• Participates in formulating labor relations strategies, policies, and practices to support employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
• Represents the Company during contract negotiations as part of the team; helps shape negotiation strategy, prioritize issues, and draft proposals/counterproposals that advance business objectives.
• Serves as day-to-day liaison with the Union to administer and interpret the CBA consistently; monitors trends, practices, and internal policies to ensure aligned application.
• Leads cross-functional teams to design or improve labor-related programs, policies, and processes in alignment with our employee experience.
• Acts as a labor relations subject-matter expert (SME); partners with HR leadership, legal, and other key stakeholders to assess risk and determine approaches for complex labor matters.
• Lead or contribute to end‑to‑end, complex workplace investigations, including matters involving senior leaders, sensitive allegations, or potential legal, financial, or reputational risk.
• Conduct advanced interviews, assess credibility, analyze evidence, and produce clear, well‑reasoned findings and recommendations suitable for executive and legal review.
• Coach, guide, and influence HR Advisors and less‑experienced ER team members, strengthening ER capability and decision quality across the HR ecosystem.
• Lead or participate in employee relations projects and enterprise priorities, including policy development, training design, and process improvements.
• Identify emerging ER trends and risks, translating insights into proactive recommendations that improve leader effectiveness, employee experience, and organizational resilience.
• Provide ER expertise during organizational change, reductions in force, or other high‑impact employee events, partnering closely with Business HR, Legal, Compliance, and HR leadership.
• Act as a key advisor on high‑visibility or escalated matters, influencing outcomes without direct authority.
• Review and provide oversight on ER recommendations developed by others for higher‑risk or escalated cases, ensuring consistency, quality, and sound risk judgment.

Benefits

• Pay Range - Start: $81,280.00
• Pay Range - End: $121,920.00
• Structure 110: $89,440.00 USD - $134,160.00 USD
• Structure 115: $93,440.00 USD - $140,160.00 USD
• Geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable

What This Job Offers

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