Employee Relations Consultant

The Iowa Clinic; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Iowa Clinic is seeking an Employee Relations Consultant to join our Human Resources team. You’ll serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees, helping navigate employee relations matters with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment.

You’ll lead workplace investigations, coach managers through challenging conversations, coordinate leave processes (FMLA, ADA), and analyze cases to strengthen workplace practices and ensure fair, compliant decisions across the organization.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of experience in Human Resources, Employee Relations, Leave Administration, HR Operations, or related field.
• Experience managing employee relations matters, investigations, performance management, and corrective action processes.
• Knowledge of employment laws related to FMLA, ADA, leave administration, and accommodations.
• Ability to handle sensitive, confidential matters with discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders and employees to address employee relations concerns and policy interpretation.
• Lead and support workplace investigations, gathering facts and documenting findings.
• Coach managers through challenging conversations to promote fair, compliant decisions.
• Coordinate and support leave and accommodation processes including FMLA and ADA.
• Collaborate with employees, leaders, HR partners, and vendors to ensure a positive employee experience.
• Track and analyze cases to identify trends and suggest proactive improvements.
• Promote consistent policy application and foster a culture of trust and respect.

Skills

Business acumen

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Conflict resolution

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/related field

HR certification (SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP/PHR/SPHR) preferred

Tools

HRIS systems

Case management platforms

Leave administration vendors

Job description

Do you thrive in complex workplace situations, enjoy building trusted relationships, and want to make a meaningful impact on employee experience? The Iowa Clinic is seeking anEmployee Relations Consultant to join our Human Resources team.

In this role, you’ll serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees, helping navigate employee relations matters with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment. You’ll play a key role in fostering a positive workplace culture while ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance across the organization.

What You’ll Do

As our Employee Relations Consultant, you will:

• Partner with leaders and employees to address employee relations concerns, policy interpretation, performance management issues, and corrective action processes
• Lead and support workplace investigations, gathering facts, assessing information, documenting findings, and recommending appropriate next steps
• Coach managers through challenging employee conversations while promoting thoughtful, fair, and compliant decision-making
• Coordinate and support leave and accommodation processes, including FMLA, ADA, and short-term disability matters
• Collaborate with employees, leaders, HR partners, and external vendors to ensure a positive and supportive employee experience
• Track and analyze employee relations cases, identify trends, and recommend proactive solutions to strengthen workplace practices
• Promote consistency in policy application and help foster a culture of trust, accountability, and respect

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for a confident HR professional who combines strong business acumen with excellent interpersonal skills.

Qualifications:

• 4 to 6 years of experience in Human Resources, Employee Relations, Leave Administration, HR Operations, or a related field
• Experience managing employee relations matters, workplace investigations, performance management, and corrective action processes
• Knowledge of employment laws and regulations related to FMLA, ADA, leave administration, and workplace accommodations
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and professionalism
• Strong communication, conflict resolution, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field preferred (equivalent experience considered)
• HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR) preferred
• Experience with HRIS systems, case management platforms, leave administration vendors, Legal, Compliance, or third-party administrators is a plus

Why Join The Iowa Clinic?

At The Iowa Clinic, our people are at the center of everything we do. This role offers the opportunity to influence workplace culture, support leaders through important decisions, and help employees feel heard, respected, and valued.

You’ll join a collaborative HR team where your expertise and judgment are trusted, your ideas are welcomed, and your work directly impacts the employee experience across one of Iowa’s largest physician-owned healthcare organizations.

If you’re passionate about creating positive workplace experiences and helping organizations navigate complex employee matters with integrity and care, we’d love to hear from you.