Senior Employee Relations Officer

First Mid Bank & Trust•Grapevine, TX

2d•$88,100 - $132,000

About The Position

The Senior Employee Relations Officer serves as the primary contact for highly complex and sensitive employee relations matters across various business units. The role provides guidance, coaching, and support to managers and works toward solutions that align with the Bank’s culture and values. It analyzes employee relations and turnover data to identify trends, opportunities, and ways to support a positive work environment and improve retention. The position leads workplace investigations and manages the employee relations hotline, including tracking cases, conducting interviews, reviewing evidence, preparing investigation summaries, and delivering debriefs. It also advises managers on performance management, discipline, conflict resolution, employee engagement, and separations; ensures governance and documentation for employee issues and exits; and collaborates with Human Resources, senior management, and legal counsel on claims, compliance, and employment-related matters. Additional responsibilities include developing leadership training, coordinating unemployment claims and hearings, reviewing performance evaluations, assisting with HR projects, and supporting other Human Resources functions. Travel as needed for investigations and meetings is anticipated to be less than 20% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 7 years of related experience or HR generalist experience with demonstrated employee relations experience required.
Knowledge of current federal and state labor laws and regulations, including Title VII, EEOC, and FLSA.
Strong writing skills for employee relations documentation.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, intermediate Excel skills, and experience with HRIS systems.
Sound judgment to mitigate risk, evaluate the importance and validity of information, form fact-based opinions, solve problems, and make formal recommendations.
Willingness to travel as needed for investigations and meetings; anticipated travel is less than 20% of the time.

Nice To Haves

PHR, SPHR, CP, or SCP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary contact for employee relations matters and advise managers on performance management, discipline, and separation processes.
Guide managers on disciplinary coaching matters and review and edit disciplinary action documentation.
Build relationships with managers across business lines through proactive one-on-one meetings to understand team challenges and concerns.
Coordinate with legal counsel, investigate claims, and draft responses for EEOC, DOL, and legal matters for the Chief Human Resources Officer’s final approval.
Escalate employee relations issues to the Chief Human Resources Officer with recommendations as appropriate.
Lead workplace investigations involving conflicts, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other work-rule violations.
Manage the employee relations hotline, track case progress, conduct investigatory interviews, collect and analyze evidence, prepare investigation summaries, and deliver debriefs while ensuring compliance with policy and legal requirements.
Track and analyze employee turnover data to identify trends, recurring concerns, and retention opportunities.
Conduct confidential exit interviews, document feedback, and assess common reasons for employee departures.
Prepare reports and partner with Human Resources and management to recommend actions that improve engagement, address workplace concerns, and reduce preventable turnover.
Proactively identify potential employee relations issues and develop preventive measures.
Coach and advise supervisors and senior management on employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, and employee engagement, promoting consistent policy application and effective supervisory skills.
Lead governance on employee issues and exits, ensuring proper documentation and adherence to practices.
Stay current on labor laws, regulations, and industry trends and recommend policy and program enhancements.
Collaborate with legal counsel on employment matters, including agency investigations and employment litigation, to ensure compliance.
Develop and deliver leadership training on employee relations and investigation best practices.
Coordinate unemployment claims with the vendor and attend unemployment hearings.
Review performance evaluation results to support leadership coaching or performance improvement plans and provide follow-up reports to the Chief Human Resources Officer.
Lead or assist with special Human Resources projects.
Support other Human Resources functions as needed.