Senior Employee Relations Advisor

St Jude Children's Research Hospital; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 71,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis is seeking a Senior Employee Relations Advisor to guide confidential investigations, advise managers on labor matters, and shape our inclusive culture.

You will partner with directors and staff to deliver fair, consistent solutions and ensure compliance with policies and contracts. The role emphasizes emotional intelligence, analytical rigor, and strong communication to influence senior leaders and collaborate across teams within a mission-driven

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 4+ years of experience in an employee relations (ER) or similar role handling ER activities.
• Experience researching complex HR issues and implementing effective actions.
• Experience supporting audits, surveys, and complex reporting; Work Day experience preferred.
• Strong experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Google Sheets/Slides preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and resolve highly sensitive, confidential investigations with stakeholders.
• Conduct exit interviews and provide data-driven reports highlighting trends and areas of concern.
• Interpret, administer, and negotiate labor contracts; assist in union negotiations.
• Assist in developing and monitoring performance improvement plans (PIPs) and ensure compliance.
• Promote and support Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and return-to-work initiatives.
• Interpret and answer policy questions; design and deliver training on employee relations topics.

Skills

Emotional Intelligence

Analytical Skills

Professional Demeanor

Labor Relations Expertise

Independent Work Style

Conflict Resolution Expertise

Strong Communication & Influence

Team Player

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Outlook

Word

PowerPoint

Google Sheets

Google Slides

Job description

At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, we're thrilled to offer an exceptional opportunity to join our Human Resources team as a Senior Employee Relations Advisor. If you're passionate about creating a positive and supportive work environment, this role is for you! We are seeking a dynamic and approachable individual who will provide expert guidance on employee relations and labor matters. As a key partner to managers, directors, and staff, you'll navigate complex and sensitive investigations with confidentiality and care, using your expertise to deliver fair, consistent, and impactful solutions. In this role, you'll help shape and maintain our culture of inclusiveness, innovation, and collaboration, making a meaningful difference for both the organization and the people we serve. Join us and contribute to a workplace where every voice is valued, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow!

Why St. Jude?

• Be part of a world‑class organization dedicated to advancing treatments for pediatric catastrophic diseases.
• Work in a collaborative, mission‑driven environment where your contributions will make a meaningful impact on both the institution and its employees.
• Access opportunities for professional growth and career advancement, including continuous learning and development programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Complex Investigations: Conduct and resolve highly sensitive, confidential investigations by partnering with key stakeholders to ensure equitable resolutions.
• Exit Interviews & Trend Analysis: Conduct exit interviews and provide data‑driven reports to management, highlighting trends and areas of concern, while recommending corrective actions.
• Labor Contract Negotiation & Grievances: Collaborate with the Director to interpret, administer, and negotiate labor contracts. Assist in preparing for union grievance meetings and contract negotiations with bargaining units.
• Performance Improvement Plans (PIP): Assist in developing and monitoring PIPs, reviewing processes and documentation to enhance job performance and ensure compliance with institutional standards.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Promote the utilization of the EAP, and support employees and managers through return‑to‑work programs and other initiatives to ensure successful reintegration.
• Policy and Training: Interpreting and answering policy‑related questions from employees, reviewing HR policies, the employee handbook, and union contracts regularly, recommending necessary updates. Assist in designing and delivering training on employee relations topics, such as workplace harassment, workplace violence, and labor laws (e.g., ADA).

The Candidate We Are Looking For:

We are seeking a dynamic, well‑rounded professional who can blend deep technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills. Success in this role will require:

• Emotional Intelligence: A high level of emotional intelligence to manage sensitive situations with professionalism, empathy, and discretion. You must possess the ability to resolve conflicts creatively and within policy.
• Analytical Skills: The ability to conduct consistent and fair, detailed investigations and communicate complex data in a way that helps to drive decision‑making.
• Professional Demeanor: A proactive, engaging attitude, with a calm and even‑keeled approach to handling stressful situations and ambiguous scenarios
• Labor Relations Expertise: A solid understanding of labor contracts, grievance procedures, and performance improvement methodologies, along with the ability to apply best practices.
• Independent Work Style: Ability to handle investigations and requests autonomously, ensuring timely and thorough resolution.
• Conflict Resolution Expertise: Strong skills in mediating and resolving workplace conflicts with empathy and diplomacy.
• Strong Communication & Influence: Excellent ability to communicate effectively and partner with senior leaders to align on solutions and strategies.
• Team Player: While capable of working independently, you will also be an essential collaborator, contributing to a positive and effective team dynamic.

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor's Degree required.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum Requirement: 4+ years of experience in an employee relations (ER) or similar role handling ER activities.
• Experience researching complex human resources‑related issues and implementing effective courses of action.
• Experience supporting audits, surveys, and performing complex reporting and analyses; Work Day experience preferred.
• Strong experience with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel), including Google Sheets and Slides, preferred.
• Proven performance in earlier role.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required by SJCRH Only:

• SHRM-CP or Professional in Human Resources (PHR) OR Employee Relations Investigations Certification, preferred.

Compensation

In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $70,720 - $126,880 per year for the role of Senior Employee Relations Advisor.

Explore our exceptional benefits !

St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer

No Search Firms

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.