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, consistent employment practices across Empower Pharmacy. In a hyper-growth, highly regulated 503A/503B environment, the role owns sensitive investigations, employee relations case management, leave administration, and accommodation processes while balancing business needs, employee experience, and legal compliance. The specialist translates employment regulations and company policies into practical guidance, strengthens leadership accountability, and identifies patterns that inform preventive action. Success requires strategic thinking, disciplined execution, sound judgment, discretion, and agility in responding to evolving business priorities. Through cross-functional partnerships, accurate documentation, and proactive risk identification, the role supports operational continuity, reinforces a respectful workplace, and enables timely, defensible decisions that sustain organizational performance and employee trust.

Requirements

Minimum 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, including 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 handling 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, with experience supporting employee relations in a growing organization.

Responsibilities

Lead sensitive workplace investigations involving misconduct, policy violations, interpersonal conflict, and employee complaints; ensure timely fact-finding, objective analysis, thorough documentation, and 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, supporting consistent policy application, appropriate documentation, and compliance.
Interpret and apply federal and state employment requirements, including EEO, ADA, FMLA, and PWFA.
Maintain accurate, confidential records of investigations, corrective actions, accommodation requests, and employee relations cases.
Identify emerging employee relations risks and recommend corrective measures to strengthen consistency and operational stability.
Manage the full life cycle of employee leave requests, including FMLA, parental leave, and discretionary leave; coordinate determinations, communications, and documentation.
Facilitate ADAAA interactive accommodation processes by evaluating medical documentation, assessing reasonable accommodation options, and partnering with stakeholders on practical solutions.
Partner with UNUM, employees, and business leaders to coordinate leave and accommodation cases and resolve administrative issues.
Coach managers on employee concerns, difficult conversations, corrective action, and conflict management.
Develop and facilitate employee relations training for managers and employees.
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 and responsiveness while preserving confidentiality and compliance.
Partner with HR leadership, managers, and business stakeholders to align employee relations practices with operational priorities and workplace standards.