Employee Relations Manager

Brown Brothers Harriman; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A premier global financial services firm seeks an Employee Relations Manager in Boston to enhance employee experience and mitigate risks. The role requires expertise in employment laws and HR best practices, focusing on conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and training delivery. A collaborative environment fosters diverse experiences and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in Employee Relations or HRBP role.
• Expert knowledge of relevant state and federal employment laws.
• Experience in financial services industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Resolve employee issues and ensure compliance with employment laws.
• Lead employee relations projects and conduct investigations.
• Provide consultation to managers in performance management.

Skills

Communication

Decision making

Problem-solving

Conflict resolution

Negotiation

Relationship management

Analytical skills

Influencing skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

JD with employment law (a plus)

Job description

At BBH, Partnership is more than a form of ownership—it’s our approach to business and relationships. We know that supporting your professional and personal goals is the best way to help our clients and advance our business. We take that responsibility seriously. With a 200-year legacy and a shared passion for what’s next, this is the right place to build a fulfilling career.

Join us as an Employee Relations Manager

The Employee Relations Manager serves as a first point of contact on all employee related matters, raising matters that pose risk to the Firm to the Employee Relations Director and/or business leaders. The Employee Relations Manager is a subject matter expert on employment laws and regulations as well HR best practices to mitigate risk and enhance the employee experience. Using a working knowledge of applicable employment laws and HR best practices, the Employee Relations Manager provides guidance and recommends solutions to business leaders and employees on, among other things, policy interpretation, performance management, disability management, job eliminations and other terminations, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions. This position also analyzes trends in Human Resources issues and proactively recommends supportive actions and programs. The Employee Relations Manager leads special projects and plays a critical role in designing and delivering training to business leaders and employees on employee relations related topics. The Employee Relations Manager partners closely with the HR Centers of Knowledge and will be viewed as a back-up to the Employee Relations Director as needed.

Employee Relations Management

• Demonstrate a proactive approach to resolving employee issues and concerns and to identifying employee relations areas of risk to the Firm.
• Provide expertise on the investigation and successful resolution of ER issues and complaints and make risk recommendations to business leaders, with input from the Employee Relations Director and/or Legal as necessary.
• Assist with the development of investigation plans and lead complex investigations to minimize legal risk.
• Ensure that a consistent and equitable process has been applied, make recommendations, and oversee implementation of decisions that lead to the fair and consistent resolution of claims related to discrimination harassment, working conditions, disciplinary actions, and employee and applicant appeals and grievances
• Develop and administer HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance with employment laws and HR best practices; review and assess employment practices and procedures for effectiveness and compliance.
• Respond to HR-related questions and issues from management and/or employees on such topics as policy interpretation, disability management, discipline, workforce restructures, workplace conflicts, job eliminations and other terminations to ensure accurate and consistent interpretation and application of policies and procedures and to maintain compliance with employment law and regulations such as the FMLA (leave laws), ADA, FLSA, Title VII and other applicable federal, state and local laws.
• Provide consultation and education to managers in the performance management process, including assessing the issue, preparing performance documentation, reviewing performance appraisals and coaching managers to provide performance feedback, and counsel employees on the process.
• Investigate complaints and ensures findings are documented and recommendations on remedial actions are made to management as required.
• Lead employee relations projects and/or act as the Employee Relations representative of other HR-related projects.
• Design and deliver training to business leaders and employees on employee relations related topics.

Analysis & Administration

• Conduct internal audits of employee relations issues to identify trends or situations that need training, counseling or policy refinements.
• Develop, modify and maintain tracking tools and reports which identify employee relations trends and issues to be addressed.
• Work with legal to gather data/information relevant to employment and discrimination claims, charges and cases.
• Oversee and/or conduct employee exit interviews, to gather insight and intelligence on root causes of employee dissatisfaction

HR Partnership

• Provide internal support to HR Centers of Knowledge, as required.
• Work with HR Business Partners to develop action plans to mitigate employee issues
• Assist HR Centers of Knowledge in supporting, organizing and executing departmental projects

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; JD with employment law a plus
• 10+ years’ experience working in an Employee Relations or HRBP role
• Expert knowledge of relevant state and federal employment laws and HR best practices required
• Experience working in the financial services industry highly preferred
• Excellent communication, decision making and problem-solving skills
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills including interacting with senior leaders
• Ability to analyze complex situations and make recommendations
• Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment
• Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality regarding employee information

This role is based in our Boston location and is a hybrid role, with a minimum of three days per week in office.

We value diverse experiences. We value diverse experiences and transferrable skillsets. If your career hasn’t followed a traditional path, includes alternative experiences, or doesn’t meet every qualification or skill listed in the job description, please do go ahead and apply.

About BBH:

Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) is a premier global financial services firm, known for premium service, specialist expertise, technology solutions and partnership approach to client management. Across Investor Services and Capital Partners, we work with an enviable roster of sophisticated clients who make BBH their first call when they are tackling their hardest challenges. Delivering for our clients and each other energizes us.

We believe that how we do our work is just as important as what we do. We are relentless problem solvers who know our best ideas come from collective debate and development—so we are never possessive about our ideas. Every day we come together as a diverse community of smart and caring people to deliver exceptional service and expert advice—creating success that lasts. No matter where you sit in the organization, everyone is empowered to contribute their ideas. BBHers can pick up the phone and call any colleague, and they are happy to help. Expanding your impact beyond your daily role is part of how we operate as trusted partners to one another.

We believe stability is a competitive advantage, but being stable means having the knowledge, skill, and discipline to evolve, often—pushing the boundaries of innovation. As a private partnership, every investment we make is in the relationships, technologies, products and development we believe are in the long-term interests of our clients and our people. Our long-tenured leaders are experts in their areas and are actively involved in the day-to day business, taking the time to provide guidance and mentoring to build the next generation of BBHers. Because we know, our success begins with yours.

Go to BBH.com to learn more about our rewards and benefits, philanthropy, approach to sustainability or how we support you to thrive personally, physically and financially.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law.