Employee Relations & Engagement Manager

Jobtailor; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks an experienced Employee Relations leader to act as the primary ER expert across campus. You will advise on workplace concerns, policies, investigations, and compliance, ensuring fair processes and credible outcomes.

In this role, you will mediate conflicts, coach managers on difficult conversations, and partner with GC/HR leadership to uphold labor-law standards. You will help audit handbooks and drive data-driven inclusion initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5–7+ years of progressive HR experience with focus on employee relations and investigations.
• Proven expertise in managing high-stakes workplace investigations.
• Deep knowledge of state and federal labor laws; FMLA/ADA familiarity a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary ER expert and advisor on employee relations across campus.
• Advise employees and supervisors on workplace concerns and policy interpretations.
• Conduct fair, timely investigations into policy violations, discrimination, and harassment.
• Document investigations and recommend balanced resolutions and corrective actions.
• Mediate workplace conflicts and coach managers on difficult conversations.

Skills

Employee relations

Workplace investigations

Performance management

Labor law compliance

Conflict management training

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business Administration or related field

Job description

• Serve as the organization's primary subject matter expert, advocate, and key advisor on employee relations matters across campus
• Advise employees and supervisors on workplace concerns, policy interpretations, and institutional standards
• Conduct fair, timely, and comprehensive investigations into workplace disputes, policy violations, discrimination, and harassment
• Document investigations and recommend balanced resolutions and corrective actions
• Mediate workplace conflicts and coach managers on difficult conversations
• Guide team dynamics toward positive growth and mutual respect
• Advise supervisors on continuous feedback, progressive discipline, and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs)
• Partner with Training & Development to equip managers with conflict management, fair documentation, compliance, and supportive leadership skills
• Partner with General Counsel and HR leadership on employment-law compliance
• Oversee audits and updates to employee handbooks and workplace policies
• Manage job evaluation and leveling to support internal equity and role clarity
• Partner with immigration counsel on employee visa processes, including H-1B and Green Cards
• Analyze ER case logs, exit interviews, and engagement survey data to identify root causes and departmental trends
• Recommend proactive culture-strengthening interventions
• Champion Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) in ER and engagement initiatives

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
• 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
• Experience writing comprehensive investigative reports and recommending sound corrective actions
• Deep, functional knowledge of state and federal labor laws
• Knowledge of FMLA/ADA accommodations and risk mitigation
• Advanced certifications (e.g., SHRM-CP/SCP, SPHR, or formal Investigation/Mediation training) are a strong plus
• Ideally experience within an educational, non-profit, or specialized institutional setting

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in employee relations, workplace investigations, and performance management, with a strong focus on compliance with labor laws and fostering a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Employee Relations Expertise
• Workplace Investigations
• Performance Management
• Labor Law Compliance
• Conflict Management Training

Hard Skills

• Investigative Reporting
• Policy Interpretation
• Corrective Action Recommendations
• Performance Improvement Plans
• Data Analysis

Soft Skills

• Mediation
• Coaching
• Conflict Resolution
• Team Dynamics Management

Certifications & Qualifications

• SHRM-CP
• SHRM-SCP
• SPHR
• Formal Investigation Training
• Mediation Training

Industry Keywords

• FMLA
• ADA
• Inclusion
• Diversity
• Equity
• Accessibility
• Employee Handbook Audits
• Job Evaluation
• Visa Processes
• Engagement Surveys