Senior Employee Relations Specialist

Denver Health•Denver, CO

3d•$80,900 - $125,400•Onsite

About The Position

We are recruiting for a mission-driven Senior Employee Relations Specialist to join our team! At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in—it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey. Our Values: Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency. This role serves as a senior advisor and subject matter expert on employee relations, handling complex performance management, discipline, and formal investigations or complaints. It provides guidance on sensitive or high-risk issues with a people-centric focus, ensuring adherence to policy and employment law. The specialist works independently on the most complex matters, mentors other employee relations specialists, and collaborates with HR Business Partners to analyze trends and recommend preventive measures. They take initiative in identifying and implementing process improvements, contribute to policy and program development, and ensure consistency to support a positive workforce culture.

Requirements

Bachelor degree or equivalent experience in Human Resources, Business, or related field preferred.
7-9 years Progressive Human Resources experience with significant employee relations focus.
Expert knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.
Proven track record of successful complex investigations.
Strong organization, prioritization, and time management skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
Intermediate level of public speaking and facilitator skills to speak effectively and persuasively on matters of interest to employees and serves as facilitator on employee focus groups.
Microsoft Office proficiency.

Responsibilities

Leads highly complex and sensitive employee relations investigations.
Analyzes investigation findings and recommends appropriate actions based on findings, policy, past practice, and organizational risk.
Maintains complete, accurate, and timely case documentation in accordance with established standards.
Identifies recurring or broader employee relations issues and partners with HR Business Partners to recommend interventions and preventative measures.
Reviews and approves moderate to complex corrective actions/ Accountability Based Performance (ABP) and Performance Improvement Plans (PIP)and provides guidance to support appropriate and consistent application.
Provides advanced consultation to leaders on complex, sensitive, and high-risk employee relations matters.
Contributes to the development and continuous improvement of investigation protocols and best practices.
Coaches leaders through complex performance management situations.
Develops and facilitates training related to employee relations and performance management.
Develops and recommends performance management tools and resources to support consistent practices.
Monitors performance management practices and identifies opportunities to improve consistency and effectiveness.
Analyzes performance management trends to identify recurring or broader employee relations concerns.
Recommends approaches to address performance management and employee relations concerns and partners with HRBPs when broader leadership, team, or organizational intervention may be needed.
Coordinates program implementation and evaluation and recommends improvements based on outcomes.
Coordinates compliance monitoring and reporting processes and identifies areas requiring follow-up.
Oversees unemployment case management and drives high organizational success rate.
Partners with the leave of absence team to support complex leave and accommodation cases.
Identifies and recommends opportunities for program improvement or development and coordinates related documentation and metrics.
Provides ER insights and trend information to support employee experience and engagement initiatives.
Coordinates survey and audit preparation activities and ensures required information is complete and timely.
Contributes ER expertise to policy and process development, implementation, and communication.
Provides advanced policy interpretation and guidance to employees and leaders.
Develops and reviews employee relations documentation for complex or sensitive situations.
Provides employee relations education and guidance as part of new leader onboarding.
Identifies process improvement opportunities and coordinates implementation of approved improvements.
Provides employee relations expertise and consultation to support organizational change initiatives.
Mentors less experienced team members and serves as a resource on complex employee relations matters.
Serves as a subject matter resource on employee relations practices and recommends improvements based on emerging needs, trends, and best practices.
Partners with HRBPs to address employee relations trends and concerns that may require broader leadership, team, or organizational intervention.

Benefits

Generous paid time off, starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
Generous medical, dental, vision plans
Employer-paid disability and life insurance
Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
Childcare discount programs
Exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
Tuition reimbursement & assistance
Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC)
Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer
Free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer