Senior Associate, Employee Relations

Ford • Avon Lake, OH

4d • $74,300 - $124,500 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Associate, Employee Relations works under general supervision to apply established organizational practices and procedures when administering resolutions to employee relations issues. The role supports timely, fair, and consistent investigations into conflicts, disputes, disciplinary matters, and other workplace concerns, as well as company policies and procedures related to employee relations, performance management, and workplace conduct. It applies research, information-gathering, analytical, and interpretation skills to moderately complex problems and works with Specialists to maintain accurate and confidential employee relations records and data.

The position supports managers and employee relations teams with case preparation and quality monitoring, internal reporting, collective bargaining preparations, employee communications and policies, training, special projects, discrimination complaints, and personnel changes. It contributes to compliance with applicable laws and company policies and to a positive, ethical work environment.

The role is primarily seated in an office or classroom environment, with low to moderate noise associated with standard office or classroom equipment. Occasional lifting of no more than 10 pounds is required. The position is salary grade 6, with a listed salary range of $74,300–$124,500. Visa sponsorship is unavailable, and candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related discipline, or commensurate work experience.
• At least 1 year of work experience with a master’s degree, or 2 years with a bachelor’s degree.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related discipline.
• Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification.
• Experience in Employee Relations, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) certification.
• Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP) certification.

Responsibilities

• Assist with consistent administration of company policies and procedures relating to employee relations, workplace conduct, and employee communication.
• Prepare administrative documents and support timely, fair, and consistent resolution of employee, union, and work council matters, including conflicts, disputes, wage violations, and disciplinary issues, in compliance with laws, regulations, and company policies.
• Support managers in preparing for collective bargaining agreements and related negotiations.
• Prepare responses and materials for cases, investigations, departures, employee mediations, hearings, and related issues according to established procedures and timelines.
• Support implementation of an employee feedback mechanism for lean process improvement suggestions.
• Help managers monitor case quality and develop internal reporting templates for senior HR management, HR business partners, and employee relations teams.
• Complete administrative tasks related to performance management systems, including evaluations, goal setting, feedback mechanisms, and performance improvement plans.
• Assist Specialists and Senior Specialists with designing and implementing manager training on employee relations topics, including conflict resolution, dispute management, complaints, goal setting, and performance feedback.
• Support employee relations special projects by liaising with external consultants, researching relevant issues, gathering information about industry practices and standards, organizing information, and analyzing it.
• Assist with responses to discrimination charges and complaints through research and information gathering; identify inconsistencies and bring them to managers’ attention.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee relations records, including employment status changes and disciplinary history.
• Assist with preparing HR communications and policies concerning employee contracts, employment terms and conditions, codes of conduct, and workforce retrenchment.
• Assist with updating HR policies relating to employee contracts, employee relations, performance management, and workplace conduct to support compliance and consistency.
• Prepare materials for personnel changes, including salary changes, promotions, transfers, and terminations, and track associated timelines under a manager’s guidance.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup child care.
• Family-building benefits, including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including time between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

What This Job Offers

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