Employee Relations Consultant

ViziRecruiter,LLC.; Springfield (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the educational sector is seeking an Employee Relations Consultant to ensure a positive workplace culture. You will be responsible for handling sensitive employee relations issues, conducting investigations, and fostering compliance with labor laws. This hybrid position requires expertise in employee relations and strong communication skills, with the chance to impact the organization positively.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of employee relations experience required.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive situations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary escalation point for complex employee relations matters.
• Lead investigations into misconduct and maintain documentation.
• Advise on employee relations trends and develop training programs.

Skills

Conflict Resolution

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources

Master’s degree or HR certification

Job description

Introduction

We’re motivated by the fact that educators take care of our children’s future, and we believe they deserve someone to look after theirs. We help educators identify their financial goals and develop plans to achieve them. This includes insurance to protect what they have today and financial products to help them prepare for their future.

Overview

Horace Mann is dedicated to serving the educational community with a people-first mindset. We believe that empowered employees create the foundation for exceptional service. That’s why we are seeking a knowledgeable and compassionateEmployee Relations Consultantto join our Human Resources team. This critical position plays a pivotal role in ensuring a positive, compliant, and performance-focused workplace.

Position Summary

TheEmployee Relations Consultantwill serve as the subject matter expert on all complex or sensitive employee relations (ER) issues. This role partners closely with HR, HR Business Partners and business leaders across the organization to provide policy guidance, conduct investigations, mitigate risks, and develop ER best practices that align with legal standards and organizational values.

Hybrid Position must live close to Springfield, IL office.

Responsibilities

Employee Relations Expertise (COE Function)

• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex or high-risk employee relations matters.
• Provide expert consultation on employment laws, internal policies, and the consistent application of HR practices.
• Lead the development, implementation, and refinement of ER-related procedures, toolkits, and resources.
• Serve as the designated contact for complaint intake, triage, and resolution, ensuring timely and appropriate action on all reported concerns.
• Partner with business leaders and HR to ensure consistent and equitable handling of performance-related issues, including coaching and corrective action.

Strategic Advisory & Training

• Advise HR leadership and business stakeholders on employee relations trends, workforce risks, and resolution strategies.
• Collaborate with the ER Lead and Associate HRBP to support performance management, conflict resolution, and interpretation of company policies.
• Identify organizational training needs and support the creation and delivery of ER-related learning and development programs.
• Provide guidance to leaders on conducting effective performance conversations, developing performance improvement plans (PIPs), and managing termination decisions in alignment with company values and legal best practices.

Investigations & Case Management

• Lead or oversee comprehensive investigations into reports of misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and other policy violations.
• Maintain timely, detailed, and confidential documentation of all employee relations cases.
• Analyze ER case data to identify trends, patterns, and root causes, and recommend preventative strategies.
• Track and report on complaints and performance-related matters to highlight systemic issues or coaching needs across the organization.

Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as internal HR policies.
• Partner with Legal and Compliance teams to address sensitive cases and regulatory matters.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing accurate documentation and insights.
• Monitor organizational risk factors related to employee conduct, performance, and complaints, ensuring alignment with legal obligations and company standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, required. (Master’s or HR certification preferred).
• A minimum of three (3) years of employee relations experience is required, including demonstrated expertise in handling performance issues, conducting investigations, and advising on employment law and workplace policy.
• Proven experience in employee relations, conflict resolution, or HR consulting.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws, regulatory compliance, and HR best practices.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills—able to present facts and guidance clearly and persuasively.
• Ability to manage emotionally charged situations with professionalism, empathy, and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust across all levels of the organization.
• Highly organized with attention to documentation, reporting, and follow-up.
• Normal office environment: minimal travel required.
• Flexibility to work irregular hours when needed.
• Role demands a high degree of confidentiality and discretion.