Sr Employee Relations Specialist

Equity Residential•Chicago, IL

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Vivmark Residential exists to set the mark for what home can be. Formed through the merger of AvalonBay Communities and Equity Residential, Vivmark brings together two industry leaders with a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and delivering exceptional living experiences. Our vision is to be the most trusted and best-performing rental housing company in America - one that continues to get better as it grows. And we're looking for people who want to help us do it. As an owner, developer, and manager of more than 180,000 apartment homes in major markets across the US, we have the scale to offer something most companies can't. At Vivmark, team members move up and across functions, markets, and disciplines, building lasting careers. We invest in team members' growth, development, and capabilities that make them and us better, and we hold ourselves to the highest standard as an employer. The best people want to work here. We hope you're one of them. As an Employee Relations Specialist, you will play a critical role in fostering a fair, consistent, and proactive workplace environment. You will serve as a subject matter expert, handling complex employee relations investigations, providing guidance on performance management and disciplinary processes, and utilizing data to identify systemic risks and trends. This role requires a balance of investigative rigor, compassionate coaching, and strategic partnership with HR Business Partners (HRBPs). Please note: Our current onsite work schedule requires attendance from Monday through Thursday each week, with remote work permitted on Fridays.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent practical experience may be considered.
4-7 years of specialized experience in Employee Relations, with a demonstrated track record of managing complex workplace investigations from intake to resolution.
Bilingual proficiency (Spanish) is highly desirable to support a diverse workforce.
Proven ability to analyze HR case management data to identify trends, derive actionable insights, and implement proactive solutions.
Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local labor and employment laws, with specific proficiency in California employment regulations.
Demonstrated ability to influence, coach, and partner with leadership and HR stakeholders to achieve consistent, compliant, and positive outcomes.
Proficiency in utilizing HRIS and case management systems to maintain accurate documentation and audit trails.
Prior experience operating within a multi-state/multi-site environment.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual proficiency (Spanish) is highly desirable to support a diverse workforce.

Responsibilities

Serve as contact for complex employee relations matters.
Conduct thorough, impartial and timely investigations into allegations of misconduct, policy violations, and harassment/discrimination.
Manage the full investigation life cycle, from intake to documentation and resolution.
Ensures a consistent and proactively communicated employee experience throughout the investigation process
Coach leaders on performance documentation, accountability, and the application of our disciplinary framework.
Guide managers through difficult conversations to ensure consistency and minimize legal risk.
Collaborate with stakeholders to align employee relations interventions with business unit goals and talent strategies and to proactively address team climate issues
Leverage case management data to identify patterns and emerging risks.
Present findings to HR leadership to inform proactive training, policy adjustments, and organizational interventions.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local, state, and federal labor laws.
Ensure all ER practices, documentation, and investigation plans adhere to company standards and regulatory requirements.