Employee Relations Manager

BestSelf; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 68,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Health insurance options

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

BestSelf Behavioral Health in Buffalo, NY seeks an Employee Relations Manager to lead investigations, policy administration, ADA accommodations, and performance management. You will coach supervisors, oversee Employee Relations staff, and support training and employee experience initiatives.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in HR or related field and at least 5 years in HR with 2–3 in leadership, plus strong communications and policy expertise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive HR experience with Employee Relations focus; 2-3 years in HR leadership.
• Experience in investigations, employment law, performance management, ADA accommodations, and policy administration.

Responsibilities

• Advise supervisors on performance, conduct, attendance, workplace concerns, conflict resolution and policy interpretation.
• Review complaints and incidents, determine steps, and oversee investigations.
• Communicate findings and required actions to employees and leadership.
• Ensure timely case documentation, follow-up, and resolution of cases.
• Manage ADA accommodation requests through determination, implementation and follow-up.
• Oversee Supportive Accountability, corrective actions, and consistent application across programs.
• Guide supervisors through performance and conduct concerns, with documentation and follow-up.
• Manage performance review timelines and leadership follow-up.
• Develop and maintain Employee Relations policies, procedures, and workflows.
• Coordinate unemployment matters, HR audits, and compliance activities.

Skills

Employee relations

Investigations

Policy administration

Performance management

ADA accommodations

Leadership

Coaching supervisors

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Job description

FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary Range: $68,000-$72,000 annually
Location:Buffalo, NY 14203

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

The Employee Relations Manager oversees key Employee Relations functions, including but not limited to; investigations, Supportive Accountability, performance management, ADA accommodations, policy administration, and employment actions. The role provides guidance to leadership, supervises Employee Relations staff, and supports training, employee experience initiatives, compliance, and consistent application of agency policies and practices.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position is responsible for the oversight of the Employee Relations team. Supervisory responsibilities of these direct reports include consistent coaching, feedback, & development, review & approval of timecards, and completing performance reviews & development plans.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Investigations & ADA

• Advise supervisors and leadership on performance, conduct, attendance, workplace concerns, conflict resolution, and policy interpretation.
• Review employee related complaints and incidents, determine appropriate next steps, and oversee or conduct investigations.
• Review investigation findings and conclusions and communicate determinations and required actions to employees, supervisors, and leadership.
• Ensure timely case documentation, follow-up, and resolution (including leading the Employee Status Review and outcome process).
• Manage ADA accommodation requests and the interactive process from initial review through determination, implementation, and follow-up.

Supportive Accountability & Performance Management

• Manage the agency's Supportive Accountability process, including review and approval of corrective actions and consistent application across programs.
• Guide supervisors through performance and conduct concerns, including documentation, corrective action, and follow-up.
• Manage the performance review process, including timelines, completion, and leadership follow-up.

Policy & Compliance

• Ensure consistent interpretation, communication, and enforcement of agency policies and Employee Relations practices.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Employee Relations policies, procedures, and workflows.
• Coordinate unemployment matters, HR audits, and other Employee Relations compliance activities.
• Identify Employee Relations trends and recommend training, policy, or process improvements.
• Manage daily driving notifications review process and follow up with the appropriate employees and leadership team members.
• Manage Employee Relations full cycle processes such as, but not limited to: resignations, terminations, administrative transfers, administrative leaves, and other employment status actions, ensuring accurate documentation and communication.
• Develop and facilitate supervisor training on Supportive Accountability, performance management, documentation, investigations, policy enforcement, and Employee Relations practices.
• Provide ongoing Employee Relations coaching and support to supervisors and leadership.

Team & Additional Responsibilities

• Supervise, coach, and develop Employee Relations staff, setting priorities and supporting performance, professional growth, and effective case management.
• Manage employee recognition and engagement programs, including Spotlight and Longevity initiatives.
• Participate in cross-functional HR initiatives, organizational change efforts, and special projects related to Employee Experience.
• Consistently review Employee Relations responsibilities to identify and recommend process improvement initiatives collaboratively; coordinating implementation after approval.
• Travel to agency workplaces during the business day, with occasional out-of-area or overnight travel as needed
• Completes all trainings required by the agency.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive Human Resources experience, with demonstrated experience in Employee Relations. At least 2-3 of those years being in an HR leadership role.
• Strong experience conducting Employee Relations practices including but not limited to; workplace investigations, employment law, managing employee performance, corrective action, ADA accommodations, and policy administration.
• Demonstrated ability to advise and coach supervisors and leadership on complex employee relations matters.
• Strong communication using all methods and working with all levels of employees.
• Strong and autonomous judgment, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills when managing complex and confidential employee matters.
• Ability to manage multiple sensitive and confidential matters while maintaining appropriate discretion.
• Strong leadership & coaching, and conflict-resolution.
• Strong organizational, documentation, case-management, and data-analysis skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong presentation skills and ability to present in front of groups of all sizes.
• Must be able to travel to agency locations and/or offsite/out of state functions as needed.

Some things you can look forward to:

• Welcoming, team environment, that inspires you to thrive and be your BestSelf!
• Generous paid time off
• Multiple and diverse health insurance options
• Many other unique lifestyle & personal insurance options
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• We look forward to telling you more!

BestSelf Behavioral Health considers all applicants for all positions without regard to race, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability , marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally-protected status. Please note, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The agency is unable to provide visa sponsorship or work authorization for this position.