Senior Employee Relations Specialist

Empower Pharmacy•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Senior Employee Relations Specialist strengthens organizational effectiveness by resolving complex workplace matters, advising leaders, and ensuring fair and consistent employment practices across Empower Pharmacy. In a fast-growing, highly regulated 503A/503B environment, the role manages sensitive investigations, employee relations cases, leave administration, and accommodation processes while balancing business needs, employee experience, and legal compliance. The specialist interprets employment regulations and company policies for practical use, reinforces leadership accountability, and identifies trends that support preventive action. Success requires strategic thinking, disciplined execution, sound judgment, discretion, and adaptability. Through cross-functional partnerships, thorough documentation, and proactive risk identification, the role supports operational continuity, a respectful workplace, timely and defensible decisions, and employee trust.

Requirements

At least seven years of progressive experience in employee relations, human resources, or related functions, including complex workplace investigations and conflict resolution.
Demonstrated experience advising managers and senior leaders on employee performance, corrective actions, policy interpretation, and sensitive employment decisions.
Practical knowledge of federal and state employment regulations.
Experience managing leave requests, disability accommodations, and confidential employee relations documentation.
Advanced knowledge of employment laws, including EEO, ADA, FMLA, PWFA, and applicable state requirements.
Strong investigative capabilities, including interviewing, evidence evaluation, objective documentation, conflict resolution, and sound judgment in sensitive employee matters.
Ability to influence and coach leaders, communicate difficult decisions, and balance employee advocacy with business requirements and organizational risk.
Proficiency in employee relations case management, leave administration, accommodation processes, trend analysis, and continuous improvement of HR policies and practices.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field; equivalent combinations of education and relevant practical experience are considered.
Professional HR certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP.
Experience supporting employee relations in a growing organization.

Responsibilities

Lead sensitive workplace investigations involving misconduct, policy violations, interpersonal conflict, and employee complaints; conduct timely fact-finding, analyze evidence objectively, document findings, and support defensible resolutions.
Resolve complex employee relations matters through structured interventions, balanced assessments, and practical recommendations.
Advise leaders on performance management, corrective actions, disciplinary decisions, and terminations, ensuring consistent policy application and appropriate documentation.
Interpret and apply federal and state employment requirements, including EEO, ADA, FMLA, and PWFA.
Maintain accurate and confidential records of investigations, corrective actions, accommodation requests, and employee relations cases.
Identify emerging employee relations risks, assess policy application and workplace practices, and recommend corrective measures.
Manage the full life cycle of employee leave requests, including FMLA, parental leave, and discretionary leave, coordinating determinations, communications, and documentation.
Facilitate ADAAA interactive processes by evaluating medical documentation, assessing reasonable accommodations, and partnering with stakeholders on compliant, practical solutions.
Coordinate leave and accommodation cases with UNUM, employees, and business leaders, resolving administrative issues and supporting accurate, timely case management.
Coach managers on employee concerns, difficult conversations, corrective action, and conflict management.
Develop and facilitate employee relations training to improve manager capability and understanding of policies and workplace concerns.
Support organizational changes by anticipating employee relations implications, advising stakeholders on risks, and recommending communication approaches.
Analyze employee relations cases, investigation outcomes, and recurring workplace concerns to identify trends and recommend preventive interventions.
Evaluate employee relations workflows, documentation standards, and policy application to improve consistency, efficiency, and responsiveness while maintaining confidentiality and compliance.
Partner with HR leadership, managers, and business stakeholders to align employee relations practices with operational priorities and workplace standards.