Employee Relations Manager

Parnall Law•Albuquerque, NM

36d•Onsite

About The Position

Parnall Law Firm is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Manager for their Albuquerque office. This role is crucial for resolving employee concerns, guiding them through benefits, and maintaining the firm's integrity during transitions. The Employee Relations Manager will play a key part in shaping the firm's culture and compliance framework. The firm is recognized as one of Albuquerque's best places to work and offers a supportive environment for its employees.

Requirements

5–8 years of HR experience, with at least 3 years in direct employee relations and complaint investigations.
Working knowledge of employment law and benefits regulations.
Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential matters.
Composure and professionalism under emotionally difficult conversations.
Strong organizational skills and follow-through on multiple concurrent cases.
Impartiality and fairness — able to advocate for a compliant, respectful process rather than any one party.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong active listening.
Professional attire and demeanor.
Team player with the ability to adapt in a rapidly changing environment.
Ability to work on-site Monday–Thursday 8:00–5:00 and Friday 8:00–4:00.
Ability to pass a background check.

Nice To Haves

SHRM certification, formal Association of Workplace Investigators training, or EEOC training preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary intake point for employee complaints, grievances, and concerns; document intake, investigation steps, and resolution in the HR case file.
Conduct or coordinate fact-finding for complaints, including interviews, document review, and consultation with the Operations Director and/or legal counsel as needed.
Maintain strict confidentiality and neutrality throughout all complaint handling.
Administer employee benefits programs including health, dental, vision, retirement, and voluntary benefits; serve as liaison between employees and benefits carriers/brokers.
Guide employees through open enrollment, qualifying life events, and benefits questions.
Reconcile benefits invoices and enrollment records for accuracy.
Manage the termination process end-to-end: exit documentation, final pay coordination with payroll, benefits termination, COBRA notification; coordinate with IT/Admin to confirm return of company property and equipment.
Attend exit interviews and summarize findings/trends for leadership.
Coordinate performance reviews and improvement meetings; ensure managers have proper documentation, employees understand expectations, and outcomes are recorded in the personnel file in compliance with firm policy.
Ensure all complaint, benefits, and termination files comply with applicable federal and state employment law (FMLA, ADA, COBRA, state-specific requirements) and firm document-retention policy.
Flag patterns or risks (repeat complaints, benefits compliance gaps, termination trends) to the Operations Director.
Oversee and facilitate participation in "Top Workplaces" and "Best Places to Work" survey programs; report outcomes and key findings to the executive team.
Follow and maintain all firm policies and procedures.