Employee Relations Manager

YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties; Tacoma (WA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

YMCA Membership for you and your家庭

Job summary

YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties seeks an Employee Relations Manager to strengthen workplace relationships, guide compliance, and support directors in resolving issues.

You will conduct independent investigations, coach leadership, draft formal documentation, and deliver trainings to staff. This role emphasizes collaboration, policy development, and ongoing HR education in a mission-driven nonprofit.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of employee relations, investigation, and grievance resolution experience.
• Experience investigating EEOC or WSHRC claim notices preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and consultative skills across all levels.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience in a mission-driven environment with multiple stakeholders and limited resources.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple high-priority tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills and adaptability in a lean structure.
• High emotional intelligence and solution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ADP Workforce Now or HRIS.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent investigations on employee relations issues (complaints, harassment, discrimination, grievances).
• Participate in problem-solving, mediation, and conflict resolution with staff and leadership.
• Coach and advise leadership on employee relations matters, discipline, policy interpretation, and separations.
• Assist with drafting disciplinary actions, performance plans, and letters of documentation.
• Conduct trainings for employees and leadership, virtually or in person.
• Assist creation, revision, and communication of HR policies and practices.
• Provide excellent service to staff and leadership while maintaining professionalism and respect.
• Listen to concerns to ensure thorough understanding of issues.
• Support Reasonable Suspicion processes, testing, discipline, EAP referrals, and separations.
• Respond to policy and regulatory questions and keep current on HR laws and trends.
• Recommend improvements to Sr. HR Director and VP/CHRO.
• Support alignment between YMCA goals and employee objectives.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Consultative skills

Stakeholder relationships

Organizational skills

Emotional intelligence

Education

Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field

Equivalent professional employee relations experience

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Microsoft Office

Job description

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties seeks an Employee Relations Manager to join our team.

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading non-profit, charitable organization committed to strengthening our community by connecting all people to their potential and purpose, and to each other. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, we ensure that we all have access to the opportunities, relationships, and resources necessary to learn, grow, and thrive.

The Employee Relations Manager is responsible for cultivating positive relationships between our employees and directors, providing strategic guidance on employee relations and compliance, and assisting directors in resolving workplace issues. This role manages employee relations processes through understanding and communicating policies, providing guidance to directors and employees, conducting investigations, and providing training on various HR related subjects. This position does not have direct reports. Key responsibilities:

• Conduct independent investigations on key employee relations issues such as employee complaints, workplace harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, grievances, etc.
• Participate in problem-solving, mediation, and conflict resolution with employees and/or leadership.
• Coach and advise leadership in employee relations matters and concerns, discipline, interpretation of policies, grievance resolution, and employment separation.
• Partner with leadership in writing and/or editing disciplinary actions, performance success plans, letters of expectation, separation letters, and other formal documentation.
• Conduct trainings to employees and/or leadership in-person and via Microsoft Teams.
• Assist with the creation, revision, and communication of HR policies and practices.
• Provide exceptional customer service to staff and leadership members while maintaining professionalism, tact, and respect.
• Actively listen to employee and leadership concerns or grievances to ensure a thorough understanding of issues presented.
• Assist leadership with the Reasonable Suspicion process, related testing, discipline, EAP referrals and/or employment separation.
• Respond to questions and concerns regarding the interpretation and application of human resources policies and procedures, laws, standards, and other government regulations.
• Maintain proficiency in HR related topics and continuous education on best practices, laws, and trends.
• Recommend new approaches and other areas of continual improvement to the Sr. HR Director and VP/CHRO.
• Support and positively affect continuity between the YMCA and employee goals, and safeguard the Y’s position at all times.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field or equivalent professional employee relations experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of employee relations, investigation, and grievance resolution experience is required.
• Prior experience investigating and responding to EEOC or WSHRC claim notices is highly preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and consultative skills, with the ability to engage and support employees and leaders across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels; strong communication and influencing skills are essential for success in this role.
• Experience in a mission-driven environment with multiple stakeholders and limited resources is highly valued; familiarity with the unique dynamics of child-focused organizations is a strong plus.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple high-priority tasks in a fast-paced environment; strong organizational skills and adaptability are essential.
• Ability to operate in both strategic and hands‑on capacities in a lean organizational structure.
• High emotional intelligence and a solution‑oriented mindset.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions.
• Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint and Excel) and ADP Workforce Now or other HRIS required.
• Able to support employees and/or Directors after regular business hours.
• Holds a valid driver's license, valid insurance, and can drive your vehicle to various YMCA locations throughout Pierce and Kitsap Counties as needed.
• Must be willing and able to work evenings or on weekends on a limited basis as needed.
• Must complete an online Child Abuse Prevention training on the first day of employment and complete other online and in‑person training throughout employment as required.

Compensation: $95,000.00 to $105,000.00 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

Position type: Full-Time, exempt, salaried position. This position does not have direct reports.

Location: Hybrid position. Must be able to work remotely and in‑person at the YMCA PKC Association Office in Tacoma, WA, two days per week.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefit plan options (with FSA and HSA options)
• YMCA Membership for you and your household
• YMCA paid Life and Long‑term Disability Insurance
• Opportunity to participate in the YMCA 403(b) retirement saving plan and 403(b) ROTH plan. After 2 years of Full‑Time employment, the YMCA will contribute 8% of your monthly earnings
• Accrual of 15 days of paid vacation (vacation accruals increase with years of service)
• 8 paid Holidays/Floating Holidays per calendar year (prorated based on date of hire)
• Paid Sick Leave accrued at 1.23 hours for every 40 hours worked per year
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), Digital mental health counseling platform, Wellness program, and LifeMart employee discount center
• 20% discount on YMCA programs, Child Care services, and merchandise