Senior Employee Relations Manager

BioSpace; Clayton (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Novo Nordisk is seeking a Senior Employee Relations Manager to lead complex Employee Relations and performance management initiatives. You will counsel employees and managers, ensure policy consistency, and collaborate with HR, Legal, and Compliance to drive fair, effective resolutions.

The role requires strong communication, strategic ER expertise, and the ability to influence stakeholders while promoting equitable treatment across the employee lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; certifications may substitute for degree when appropriate.
• PHR, SPHR, CEBS, or CBP certification preferred.
• Minimum six years HR experience or five with a Master's in HR with ER focus.

Responsibilities

• Mitigate risk by resolving complex ER issues.
• Engage with Employment Law Attorneys and HR Partners on ER matters.
• Ensure consistent application of policies across ER cases.
• Track ER trends, diagnose root causes, and propose corrective actions.
• Design and deliver ER policy and training initiatives.
• Coach managers on performance management and employee engagement.
• Provide guidance on discipline or termination decisions.
• Lead corrective action plans with cross-functional partners.
• Manage ER data to analyze performance trends.

Skills

Employee relations

Performance management

Consulting with management

Communication skills

Stakeholder collaboration

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree

HR certifications (PHR/SPHR/CEBS/CBP)

Job description

About The Department

Imagine being a part of a team committed to helping people defeat diabetes and other serious chronic conditions. Here at Novo Nordisk, we seek out opportunities to contribute to healthier communities and better lives for all people. And, that’s what you’ll gain by joining Novo Nordisk’s People & Organization team. Our P&O team is passionate about their purpose – enabling business success the Novo Nordisk Way by turning the Company’s business strategy into an actionable workforce strategy. A strategy which captures the entire employee life-cycle. At Novo Nordisk, you will join an inclusive team of diverse talent and benefit from a range of possibilities for professional and personal development. Are you ready?

The Position

The Senior Employee Relations Manager role ensures consistent and thorough management of Employee Relations processes, including performance management. Leverages advanced business and industry knowledge to make process enhancements. Leads, participates and performs Employee Relations and Corrective Action processes. Counsels and provides assistance to employees and various levels of management in employee or management issues guided by company’s employee relations policies. Independently identifies and resolves complex problems, displaying a high level of critical thinking skills. Develops and maintains open and positive communication with all internal stakeholders and collaborative partners to assist in attaining departmental and company goals. Consistently promotes the fair and equitable treatment of employees involved in Employee Relations related processes.

Relationships

The Senior Employee Relations Manager role reports directly to the Director, Employee Relations and serves as a mentor to the Associate/Senior Associate Employee Relations roles. This position will partner closely with internal stakeholders/clients, including HR Business Partners, line of business managers, Affiliates, Centers of Excellence, Employment Attorneys, Legal Department, Compliance Department and other relevant departments to ensure the successful implementation of all Employee Relations processes, which includes, but is not limited to, performance management. Provides guidance and training to less experienced Employee Relations staff.

Essential Functions

• Mitigates risk to the organization by resolving complex and sensitive ER related issues
• Ensures proactive engagement with Employment Law Attorneys, HR Business Partners and all other relevant partners on all ER matters
• Ensures consistent interpretation and application of Novo Nordisk employment policy and practice in all aspects of the employment relationship and related to ER case handling
• Tracks and analyses ER issue trends, diagnoses root causes and develops recommendations for corrective strategies
• Participates in the design, development and delivery of Novo Nordisk policy and ER training initiatives
• Partners with HR Business Partners and business leaders to provide managers with development opportunities in the areas of performance management, conflict resolution and employee engagement
• Partners with HR Business Partners to provide guidance to managers that will enable them to demonstrate accountability for their teams and the work environment
• Builds strong partnerships with HR Business Partners, Employment Law, Compliance, Risk and Accountability and all internal partners to foster trust and accountability
• Counsels and provides assistance to employees and all levels of management in employee or management issues guided by the Company’s Employee Relations policies
• Provides guidance and coaching to management in the formal discipline or termination of employees
• Provides consultation, guidance and coaching to HR Business Partners and managers to ensure the appropriate handling and resolution of ER matters
• Obtains factual information concerning employee/management inquiries and/or complaints
• Leads and manages corrective action cases consistent with the Company’s Disciplinary and Termination Policy. Serves as primary lead for all corrective action related to the Disciplinary and Termination Policy
• Serves as lead collaborative partner with HR Business Partners, line of business, Centers of Excellence and Legal to ensure successful pull through of corrective action plans and/or performance management
• Manages ER data in order to identify, measure and analyse functional, organizational and systemic performance trends and develops insights
• Demonstrates keen ability to consult, coach, collaborate and influence key stakeholders
• Demonstrates subject matter expert knowledge of key resources such as competency models, performance management tools and business processes
• Develops solutions to a variety of problems of moderate scope and complexity. Refers to policies and practices for guidance
• Demonstrates subject matter expert understanding of EEO regulations and related laws, policies and business work rules
• Assist in cross-training and developing other Employee Relations roles, as necessary.

Physical Requirements

10-20% overnight travel required.

Qualifications

A Bachelor 's degree required; relevant experience and/or certification in specialized HR function may be substituted for degree when appropriate. PHR, SPHR, CEBS, or CBP certification preferred

A minimum of six (6) years ' of HR experience (e.g., Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partner, HR Generalist) or 5 (five) years of HR experience with an Masters in Human Resources with at least 4 years of Employee Relations experience preferred

A solid, working knowledge of HR policies, procedures and federal legislation related to employment practices and general HR administration is required

Demonstrated performance in consulting with line managers in matters relating to employee development, performance management and general HR related area is required

Demonstrated strategic ability and broad knowledge of performance management practices and approaches is required

Excellent Oral And Written Communication Skills Are Required

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.