Sr. Director, Employee Relations

Dayforce

3d

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.

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 encourage individuals to apply based on their passions.
• Dayforce encourages personal and professional growth. 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. Our focus is not just on your job but on supporting you to be the best version of yourself.

What This Job Offers

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