Employee Relations Specialist

Datadog • New York City, NY

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

As Datadog’s first Employee Relations Specialist focused on workplace investigations, you will play a key role within our People Compliance function. You will manage investigations end-to-end across the U.S. and Americas, while helping build the foundational processes of a global-ready ER investigations function. Working closely with the People Business Partners and Employment Counsel to deliver fair, consistent, and well-documented outcomes, you will help shape practices that support Datadog’s high-growth environment. This is a unique opportunity to build scalable ER infrastructure and help shape how Datadog supports employees through key moments in their workplace journey. This role is located in our New York City office and is in person 3 days a week. At Datadog, we place value in our office culture—the relationships and collaboration it builds and the creativity it brings to the table. We operate as a hybrid workplace to ensure our Datadogs can create a work-life harmony that best fits them.

Requirements

• 5 - 7+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 2+ years specializing in employee relations or workplace investigations in the U.S.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex and high-risk cases with discretion, empathy, and sound judgment
• Strong investigative interviewing, analytical, and fact-finding skills.
• Deep understanding of U.S. employment law and compliance requirements (multi-state experience preferred, global a bonus)
• Proactive, process-minded, and solutions-oriented, with experience creating scalable infrastructure
• Familiarity with compliance and regulatory requirements related to accommodations, performance management, and workplace policies.
• Exceptional written communication, including clear, defensible investigation reports
• Communicate clearly and compassionately, with the ability to influence across stakeholders and functions

Nice To Haves

• Workday or case management system experience is beneficial

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough, impartial investigations into employee complaints, misconduct, and workplace concerns across the Americas. Participate in global cases as requested.
• Manage full case lifecycle, including intake, triage, scoping, interviewing, documentation, and closeout
• Partner with People Business Partners and Employment Counsel to assess risk, ensure consistent practices, and guide sensitive employee matters
• Analyze ER trends and metrics to surface insights, inform proactive risk mitigation, and evolve practice in close partnership with Employment Counsel
• Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws; support global alignment on ER standards where applicable
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners on initiatives intersecting with ER, such as input on policies, performance management and manager capability-building
• Create global-ready resources including case management tools, reporting standards, and documentation integrity
• Provide mentorship and guidance to other People Compliance team members as the function expands

Benefits

• Best-in-breed onboarding
• Generous global benefits
• Intra-departmental mentor and buddy program for in-house networking
• New hire stock equity (RSUs) and employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)
• Continuous professional development, product training, and career pathing
• An inclusive company culture, able to join our Community Guilds and Inclusion Talks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees