Senior Employee Relations Leader: Strategy & Coaching

TCH Medical Center; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Children\'s is seeking an Employee Relations Manager to provide strategic leadership for the Employee Relations team, partnering with leaders to foster a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing workplace.

You will mentor a team of ER Consultants, guide investigations, advise on complex matters, and drive policy development while staying compliant with employment laws.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field.
• Progressive experience in Employee Relations, Human Resources, or Labor Relations, including leadership experience managing HR professionals.
• Extensive knowledge of employment laws and regulations, including ADA, FMLA, PWFA, FLSA, EEO, and NLRA.
• Experience leading complex workplace investigations and advising leaders on sensitive employee relations matters.
• Strong coaching, leadership, and team development skills.
• Exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify trends, solve complex problems, and develop practical, legally sound solutions.
• Ability to influence leaders at all levels while balancing employee experience, operational needs, and organizational risk.
• Experience working in a complex healthcare or large matrixed organization is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Employee Relations Consultants, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and exceptional customer service.
• Provide strategic guidance on complex employee relations matters, including workplace investigations, performance management, accommodations, leave administration, and conflict resolution.
• Serve as the escalation point for high-risk employee relations issues and lead investigations involving senior leaders and sensitive workplace concerns.
• Partner with HR Business Partners, Legal, Compliance, and organizational leaders to resolve complex employee issues while ensuring compliance with employment laws and organizational policies.
• Monitor team performance, case management metrics, and service levels to ensure timely, consistent, and high-quality support across the organization.
• Analyze employee relations trends and workforce data to identify opportunities for proactive interventions, leadership coaching, and organizational improvement.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of employee relations policies, procedures, training, and educational resources.
• Stay current on federal, state, and local employment laws and ensure organizational practices remain compliant and aligned with best practices.
• Represent Employee Relations on cross-functional committees and strategic initiatives that support organizational culture and workforce effectiveness.

Skills

Leadership

Employee Relations

Coaching

Communication

Analytical skills

Team development

Conflict resolution

Strategic partnership

Education

Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

At Texas Children's, our people are at the heart of everything we do. The Employee Relations Manager provides strategic leadership for the Employee Relations team, partnering with leaders across the organization to foster a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing workplace. This leader oversees complex employee relations matters, coaches and develops a team of Employee Relations Consultants, and ensures consistent application of employment practices while promoting our HEART values—Humility, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Trust.

This role serves as a trusted advisor to leaders, driving proactive solutions that strengthen employee engagement, minimize organizational risk, and support a positive workplace culture.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Team Leadership & Development

• Leads and develops the Employee Relations team, providing strategic and operational direction to ensure consistent, high-quality Employee Relations support across the organization.
• Provides ongoing coaching, performance management, professional development, and work guidance to strengthen individual and team capabilities.
• Fosters a high-performing, collaborative, and customer-focused team culture that promotes accountability, continuous improvement, and exceptional service.
• Ensures team members are appropriately trained, supported, and equipped to effectively manage Employee Relations matters.

Employee Relations Leadership & Consultation

• Serves as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor on complex and sensitive Employee Relations matters.
• Provides guidance to leaders and HR partners on employee concerns, performance matters, workplace conduct, policy interpretation, and other Employee Relations issues.
• Evaluates complex situations and provides practical, consistent recommendations that balance employee needs, organizational priorities, policy, and risk.
• Provides oversight and guidance on Employee Relations cases managed by team members, including case strategy, findings, recommendations, and resolution.

Workplace Investigations & Compliance

• Conducts complex, sensitive, and high-level workplace investigations, including matters involving Director-level employees.
• Ensures investigations are thorough, objective, timely, appropriately documented, and conducted in accordance with organizational policies and applicable employment laws.
• Reviews EEOC responses for accuracy, consistency, risk considerations, and completeness prior to submission to Employee Relations senior leadership and Legal.
• Partners with Legal and other key stakeholders on complex or high-risk Employee Relations matters, as appropriate.

ER Strategy, Programs & Process Improvement

• Oversees Employee Relations processes and practices, identifying opportunities to improve effectiveness, consistency, and the employee and leader experience.
• Leads the evaluation and enhancement of new and existing Employee Relations programs, processes, and resources.
• Identifies Employee Relations trends and emerging workforce issues and provides insights and recommendations to leadership.
• Leads and participates in special projects, issue analysis, team initiatives, and Employee Relations programs supporting departmental and organizational priorities.
• Supports organizational change and other strategic workforce initiatives through Employee Relations expertise and consultation.

Partnership & Organizational Collaboration

• Builds collaborative relationships with leaders, Human Resources colleagues, Legal, and other key stakeholders to support effective people decisions and mitigate organizational risk.
• Facilitates and participates in cross-functional teams and committees to ensure Employee Relations programs and practices align with Texas Children’s strategic priorities.
• Effectively communicates and influences across multiple levels of the organization while maintaining credibility, professionalism, and confidentiality.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum of seven (7) years of Human Resources experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience as an Employee Relations Consultant.