Employee Relations & Engagement Manager

Perkins; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan with employer match

Tuition reimbursement day one

Paid Time Off

Employee Recognition Programs

Job summary

Perkins is seeking an Employee Relations & Engagement Manager to act as the organization’s ER expert and trusted advisor for campus staff and leadership. You will lead investigations, guide performance management, and collaborate with People Ops on retention and engagement strategies.

In this ER-focused role, you will analyze case trends, exit data, and employee feedback to identify friction points, mitigate risk, and elevate the staff experience while upholding IDEA and compliance standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business, or related field; advanced certifications a plus.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience focusing on employee relations, investigations, and performance management.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws; risk mitigation.
• Experience within education, nonprofit, or specialized institutional settings is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary ER resource for employees and supervisors across campus.
• Conduct fair, timely investigations and guide managers through discipline and resolution.
• Partner with Training & Development to upskill managers in conflict management and fair documentation.
• Analyze ER case trends and engagement data to improve the staff experience.

Skills

Employee relations

Investigations

Performance management

Coaching managers

Inclusion & IDEA

Policy compliance

HR analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related

SHRM-CP/SCP or SPHR

Tools

HRIS/Workday

Job description

Perkins helps children with disabilities find their place in the world. An international NGO, we are committed to delivering best-in-class education to children, providing immersive training and support to professionals and families, advocating for inclusion, and accelerating innovation for people with disabilities. At Perkins, we think courageously, act collaboratively, and we own our work. Join a supportive community committed to growth where your work makes a difference.

As our Employee Relations & Engagement Manager, you will serve as the organization’s primary subject matter expert, advocate, and key advisor on all employee relations matters across campus. Your primary directive is to champion a healthy, equitable, and harmonious workplace environment by serving as a trusted partner to both staff and leadership.

In this dedicated ER-focused role, you will take the lead on managing complex workplace issues, conducting objective workplace investigations, and guiding managers through sensitive performance management and conflict resolution. While collaborating with broader People Ops functions on retention and engagement strategies, your day-to-day focus will center on analyzing ER case trends, exit data, and employee feedback to proactively identify friction points, mitigate organizational risk, and continuously elevate the staff experience.

How you will make an impact:

Core Employee Relations & Investigations

• Serve as the primary, trusted resource for employees and supervisors across campus regarding workplace concerns, policy interpretations, and institutional standards.
• Conduct fair, timely, and comprehensive investigations into complex employee relations issues—including workplace disputes, policy violations, discrimination, and harassment—ensuring thorough documentation and balanced resolutions.
• Actively mediate workplace conflicts, coach managers on difficult conversations, and guide team dynamics toward positive growth and mutual respect.

Performance Management & Manager Coaching

• Partner closely with supervisors on all performance management processes, providing expert coaching on continuous feedback, progressive discipline, and the strategic development of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs).
• Partner with Training & Development to equip managers with practical skills in conflict management, fair documentation, compliance, and supportive leadership practices.

Policy, Compliance & Job Architecture

• Partner with General Counsel and HR leadership to ensure strict compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws. Oversee regular audits and updates to employee handbooks and workplace policies.
• Manage the job evaluation and leveling process to ensure internal equity and role clarity. Partner with immigration counsel on employee visa processes (e.g., H-1B, Green Cards), ensuring a supportive experience for international staff.

ER Analytics, Engagement & Inclusion

• Systematically analyze ER case logs, exit interviews, and engagement survey data to spot root causes, identify departmental trends, and recommend proactive culture-strengthening interventions.
• Serve as a champion for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA), ensuring ER practices and engagement initiatives reflect an accessible, empathetic, and inclusive employee experience.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience). Advanced certifications (e.g., SHRM-CP/SCP, SPHR, or formal Investigation/Mediation training) are a strong plus.
• 5-7+ years of progressive HR experience, with a heavy, proven focus on employee relations, workplace investigations, and performance management.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing high-stakes workplace investigations, writing comprehensive investigative reports, and recommending sound corrective actions.
• Deep, functional knowledge of state and federal labor laws, FMLA/ADA accommodations, and risk mitigation—ideally within an educational, non-profit, or specialized institutional setting.

Perkins offers a comprehensive benefits package for part time and full time employees, including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Wellness programs available.
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employer-Paid Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Plan with employer match
• Education Benefits: Tuition reimbursement day one
• Paid Time Off
• Extras: Employee Recognition Programs, EAP, legal services, referral bonuses, credit union access, pre-tax MBTA passes and more!

Perkins is a mission-driven community that supports your well-being at work and beyond.

Perkins is an equal opportunity employer. Please view our Notice of Discrimination Here