Employee Relations Specialist - Restaurant Group

Willow Tree Recruiting; Rancho Santa Margarita (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

LT/ST disability and life insurance

Vacation (2wks/yr) and sick pay (40hrs

Paid Company Holidays

Employee Assistance Program

On-site gym with personal trainer

Pet friendly office

Job summary

Willow Tree Recruiting is seeking an Employee Relations Specialist for a growing, multi-brand restaurant group based in Orange County, CA. The role focuses on managing employee relations from intake to resolution, conducting workplace investigations, and ensuring compliance with policies and laws; the position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Key responsibilities include handling sensitive matters, maintaining confidential case files, analyzing trends, and partnering with

Qualifications

• 4+ years of progressive experience in employee relations, investigations, or HR.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and managing sensitive employee relations matters.
• Working knowledge of federal and California employment laws and regulations.
• Strong investigative, communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with sound judgment and the ability to manage multiple cases in a fast-paced environment.
• Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% as business needs require

Responsibilities

• Manage employee relations matters from initial intake through resolution
• Conduct workplace investigations, including interviews, fact-finding, documentation, analysis, and case summaries
• Handle sensitive matters involving conduct, performance, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and policy violations
• Ensure investigations are objective, consistent, and compliant with policies and employment laws
• Maintain accurate, confidential case files and recommend appropriate corrective or disciplinary action
• Partner with field leaders and managers to address employee relations concerns, apply policies consistently, and provide guidance on documentation and escalation procedures
• Serve as a trusted resource for employees and leadership while maintaining professionalism, neutrality, and confidentiality
• Analyze case trends, prepare reports and dashboards, and identify opportunities to mitigate organizational risk

Skills

Employee relations

Investigations

HR

Spanish language

Travel up to 25%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Employee Relations Specialist – Restaurant Group

$85,000 - $105,000

Join this growing and profitable restaurant group with more than 230 locations across a portfolio of well-known, established brands. This opportunity offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and the chance to build a long-term career with a strong and expanding organization.

Company:

• Well-established, growing, and profitable fast-food and fast-casual, multi-brand restaurant group
• One of the top 100 multi-brand restaurant franchisees in the U.S. - based in Orange County, CA with units across 6 states
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• LT/ST disability and life insurance
• Vacation (2wks/yr) and sick pay (40hrs/yr)
• Paid Company Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• On-site gym with personal trainer
• Pet friendly office

The Employee Relations Specialist job responsibilities will include:

• Manage employee relations matters from initial intake through resolution
• Conduct workplace investigations, including interviews, fact-finding, documentation, analysis, and case summaries
• Handle sensitive matters involving conduct, performance, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and policy violations
• Ensure investigations are objective, consistent, and compliant with policies and employment laws
• Maintain accurate, confidential case files and recommend appropriate corrective or disciplinary actionPartner with field leaders and managers to address employee relations concerns, apply policies consistently, and provide guidance on documentation and escalation procedures
• Serve as a trusted resource for employees and leadership while maintaining professionalism, neutrality, and confidentiality
• Analyze case trends, prepare reports and dashboards, and identify opportunities to mitigate organizational risk

Qualifications / Skills:

• 4+ years of progressive experience in employee relations, workplace investigations, or human resources; restaurant or hospitality industry experience strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and managing sensitive employee relations matters
• Working knowledge of federal and California employment laws and regulations
• Strong investigative, communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with sound judgment and the ability to manage multiple cases in a fast-paced environment
• Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% as business needs require