Sr. Director, Employee Relations

Dayforce

7d

About The Position

The Senior Director, Employee Relations (ER) will lead the evolution of Dayforce’s Employee Relations function into a modern, data-driven, and globally consistent Center of Excellence. This leader will set the strategic direction for ER governance, frameworks, and capability-building while ensuring the organization maintains a culture of fairness, accountability, and respect.
This position requires a highly experienced professional with exceptional judgment, strong business acumen, and a passion for building scalable systems that balance compliance with culture. Approximately 70% of the role will focus on strategy, framework design, and leadership enablement, with 30% dedicated to oversight and direct engagement on complex or high-risk matters.

Requirements

• Extensive expertise in Employee Relations, Labor Relations, and HR strategy, with a proven ability to navigate complexity, ambiguity, and sensitive organizational dynamics.
• Deep knowledge of employment and labor laws in North America; global experience (e.g., UK, Germany) preferred.
• Demonstrated success in building or modernizing ER frameworks and teams within large, multi-location organizations.
• Strong analytical and data literacy, with the ability to translate case insights and workforce trends into actionable recommendations.
• Exceptional communication and influence skills, capable of advising and coaching executives on high-impact matters.
• Proven leadership capability in developing and motivating high-performing ER teams and HR partners across geographies.
• Experience leveraging ER technology, case management tools, and analytics to drive operational excellence.
• A collaborative, inclusive leadership style that aligns with Dayforce’s culture and values.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field required; advanced education or certifications (e.g., JD, labor relations certification) are an asset.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive experience in Employee Relations, Labor Relations, or HR Business Partnering, with a track record of leading complex, high-impact initiatives.
• A strategic mindset with operational depth comfortable shaping enterprise strategy and directly engaging on complex ER matters.
• Sound judgment and composure under pressure, balancing legal compliance, employee experience, and business needs.
• A proven ability to build organizational trust through fairness, consistency, and accountability.
• A commitment to modernizing how Employee Relations drives culture and performance in a dynamic, global environment.

Nice To Haves

• advanced education or certifications (e.g., JD, labor relations certification)

Responsibilities

• Define and implement the global Employee Relations vision, strategy, and operating model aligned with Dayforce’s culture, values, and business priorities.
• Design and govern enterprise-wide ER frameworks, policies, and procedures that ensure fairness, legal compliance, and consistency across all geographies.
• Establish scalable ER infrastructure, including case management standards, metrics, and governance mechanisms, enabling proactive risk identification and data-driven decision-making.
• Partner with senior HR and business leaders to anticipate and address workforce trends, influencing policy and practice to support engagement, performance, and accountability.
• Develop and execute ER training and enablement programs for HR Business Partners and people leaders, enhancing organizational capability in conflict resolution, performance management, and risk mitigation.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that elevate the ER function through modern practices, technology, and analytics.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executives and HR leadership on workplace issues, organizational risk, and the ER implications of business decisions.
• Collaborate with Legal and Compliance to ensure alignment of ER practices with evolving laws and regulatory requirements across regions.
• Oversee and, as needed, personally lead complex and high-risk workplace investigations (e.g., discrimination, harassment, retaliation, ethics concerns).
• Provide expert counsel on escalated performance management, disciplinary actions, and involuntary terminations, ensuring balanced, consistent, and fair outcomes.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and Legal on risk assessments, external claims, and separation strategies, applying sound judgment and attention to reputational impact.
• Coach and mentor ER professionals and HR partners to strengthen expertise, consistency, and confidence in managing employee relations issues.
• Analyze ER data and trends, preparing insights and recommendations to influence policy updates, leadership behavior, and organizational strategy.
• Partner on disability management and accommodations in collaboration with HR and Legal, ensuring compliance and a positive employee experience.
• Champion a culture of trust and accountability by modeling transparency, sound judgment, and balanced advocacy for both employees and the business.

Benefits

• We offer excellent time away from work programs, comprehensive wellness initiatives and recognition through competitive pay and benefits.
• With a commitment to community impact, including volunteer days and our charity, Dayforce Cares we provide opportunities for you to thrive both in your career and personal life.

What This Job Offers

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