Employee Relations Partner (Contract)

WillHire, Inc; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401K

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking an Employee Relations Partner on a 12-month contract. This role operates within our People organization, partnering with leaders to advise on performance management, employee relations, and organizational alignment.

The contractor works through a staffing partner, with hybrid options in Santa Clara, CA or remote nationwide. Responsibilities include coaching leaders on performance, handling investigations and conflicts, guiding involuntary terminations, and

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of Employee Relations experience in an HRBP or ER advisory role.
• Deep knowledge of employment law principles and risk management; investigations experience.
• Experience with case management software and data platforms; proficient in Google Suite.
• Calm, composed, and problem-solving under high-volume pressure.
• BA/BS degree or equivalent practical experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performance elevation coaching for leaders and teams.
• Advise on employee relations issues including conflicts and complaints.
• Coach leaders on involuntary terminations and offboarding processes.
• Support reorganizations with PBPs and Legal for risk mitigation.
• Lead projects to optimize ER processes and deliver data-driven reviews.
• Advocate for fair workplace practices aligned with company values.

Skills

Employee Relations

HRBP experience

Investigations

Risk management

Stakeholder influence

Communication skills

Education

BA/BS degree

Tools

Case management software

People data platforms

Google Suite

Job description

Employee Relations Partner - Palo Alto Networks [Contract]

Role Description

This role is a contract assignment at Palo Alto Networks. Contractors will not be employed by Palo Alto Networks but through our trusted staffing partners. Palo Alto Networks is looking for an Employee Relations Partner - Contractor to support internal performance management, employee relations, and organizational alignment. Reporting within the People organization, this position offers a great opportunity for an experienced professional to advise business leaders, navigate complex employee matters, and promote equitable workplace practices.

Location: Santa Clara, CA (Hybrid) or Remote-US

Duration: 12 months

Your Impact

The Employee Relations Partner is a critical advisor in upholding organizational values, driving performance elevation, and managing workplace dynamics. Working in a fast-paced environment, you will bridge strategic guidance and operational execution to foster fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes across teams. This role demands a skilled, composed, and detail-oriented partner who excels at navigating ambiguity, resolving complex employee relations issues, and collaborating across functions to optimize internal processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Performance Elevation & Leadership Coaching: Educate, coach, and guide leaders on performance management efforts, providing tailored advice to elevate team capabilities while aligning with company philosophy and core values.
• Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution: Advise on a wide range of employee relations issues, including manager/employee conflicts, complaints, and behavioral or conduct issues.
• Involuntary Terminations & Offboarding: Coach leaders and facilitate involuntary terminations, including employee notifications, processing terminations, and drafting Mutual Separation Agreements (MSA).
• Reorganizations & Risk Mitigation: Consult with business leaders, People Business Partners (PBPs), and Legal on organizational restructures and role eliminations.
• Process Optimization & Analytics: Lead projects to optimize and automate internal ER processes. Deliver quarterly business reviews on case outcomes, trends, and data analysis to key stakeholders.
• Values & Workplace Equity Advocacy: Act as an advocate for fair treatment and ensure workplace practices align with core values: Disrupt, Execute, Inclusion, Collaboration, and Integrity.

Your Experience

• Professional Background: Minimum of 5 years of Employee Relations experience gained in an HRBP role, Employee Relations Advisory role, or equivalent experience as a practicing employment attorney.
• Subject Matter & Technical Acumen: Deep knowledge of employment law principles, effective risk management, and experience conducting investigations or advising on complex ER cases. Proficiency in case management software, people data platforms, and Google Suite.
• Mindset & Composure: Proven success operating and remaining composed in a fast-paced, high-volume, and high-pressure environment. Strong problem-solving skills with sound judgment when navigating uncertainty.
• Communication & Stakeholder Influence: Excellent verbal and written communication, active listening, and coaching skills. Proven ability to build strong, collaborative relationships across functions and influence outcomes effectively.
• Education & Preferences: BA/BS degree or equivalent practical experience preferred.

Compensation

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer, this is the pay range that the staffing agency reasonably expects to pay for this position: $43/hour to $48/hour. Please note that the compensation information in this posting reflects the hourly wage only and does not include benefits. The staffing agency offers Medical, Dental, Vision, and 401K. The staffing agency is not able to provide assistance to candidates requiring sponsorship or a visa for this position.

Information about Palo Alto Networks

At Palo Alto Networks®, everything starts and ends with our mission: Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life. We have the vision of a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. These aren’t easy goals to accomplish — but we’re not here for easy. We’re here for better. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.