Senior Employee Relations Partner

Kestra Financial, Inc.; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and benefits

401(k) and health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Training and growth opportunities

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Kestra Financial, Inc. in Tempe, AZ, seeks a Senior Employee Relations Partner to advise leaders and employees on ER issues, investigations, performance management, and policy interpretation. This role works with HRBPs, Compliance, Legal, and others to promote fair, compliant people practices.

You will coach managers, identify risk, and support enterprise HR initiatives. A background in employment law and confidentiality is essential; financial services experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, psychology or related field.
• 5–8 years of progressive HR experience with strong employee relations expertise.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and HRIS; Dayforce preferred.
• Experience conducting complex workplace investigations and handling sensitive matters.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, risk mitigation, and best HR practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex employee relations matters in partnership with HRBPs and stakeholders.
• Conduct objective workplace investigations and present findings and recommendations.
• Assess risk balancing employee experience with business objectives.
• Identify trends and propose proactive solutions to improve culture.
• Handle unemployment claims with cross-functional coordination.

Skills

Employee relations

Workplace investigations

HR policy interpretation

Leadership coaching

Influencing leaders

Confidentiality

Risk mitigation

Multi-state workforce

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, Industrial Relations, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS (Dayforce)

Job description

Explore Life at Kestra

Kestra Holdings Website: https://www.kestrafinancial.com/

Kestra Holdings offers industry-leading wealth management platforms for independent wealth management professionals nationwide. Kestra is dedicated to empowering independent financial professionals—including traditional and hybrid RIAs—to grow their businesses and deliver exceptional client service. We combine advanced business management technology with personalized consulting to provide unmatched scale, efficiency, and support. Our advisor-focused culture is built on innovation and advocacy, enabling advisors to offer comprehensive securities and investment advisory solutions to their clients.

Lead with Purpose. Partner with Impact.

The Senior Employee Relations Partner serves as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees across the organization, providing expert guidance on employee relations, workplace investigations, performance management, policy interpretation, and employment-related risk. This individual contributor partners closely with managers, Human Resources, Compliance, and Legal to promote a positive employee experience while ensuring fair, consistent, and compliant people practices.

The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in employee relations, business acumen, sound judgment, and the ability to influence outcomes through consultation, coaching, and collaboration rather than direct authority.

What You’ll Do:

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Employee Relations & Workplace Investigations

• Manages complex employee relations matters in partnership with HRBPs and key stakeholders.
• Conduct thorough, objective, and well-documented workplace investigations and present findings and recommendations.
• Assess organizational and legal risk while balancing employee experience and business objectives.
• Identify trends and recommend proactive solutions to improve workplace culture and reduce recurring issues.
• Manage unemployment claims, including timely responses to requests for information, coordination of supporting documentation, and partnership with HR, Legal, and third-party administrators to ensure accurate, consistent, and compliant claim handling.

Manager Coaching & Consultation

• Provide consultation and guidance to leaders on employee relations issues and workplace concerns.
• Coach managers on performance management, difficult conversations, conflict resolution, corrective actions, coaching strategies, documentation, and accountability.
• Guide leaders in consistent application of company policies and employment practices.

Policy Interpretation & Compliance

• Interpret and apply company policies, procedures, and employment practices in a fair and consistent manner.
• Provide guidance on compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Manage complex employee relations cases in partnership with HRBPs, who retain strategic ownership of business context, stakeholder alignment, and overall case direction.
• Partner with HRBPs and Legal on complex or high-risk matters, with HRBPs leading strategic alignment and the Employee Relations role supporting legal strategy, risk assessment, recommended actions, and execution.
• Support policy development, updates, and manager education efforts.

Organizational Effectiveness

• Support the development and delivery of training related to employee relations, and performance management.
• Analyze employee relations trends and identify recommendations for escalation to HR leadership.
• Maintain confidentiality while handling sensitive employee and business information.
• Participate in enterprise-wide HR projects and strategic initiatives, as needed.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, Industrial Relations, or a related field.
• 5-8 years of progressive Human Resources experience with significant expertise in employee relations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and HRIS systems. Experience working in Dayforce preferred.
• Demonstrated experience conducting complex workplace investigations and managing sensitive employee matters.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, HR best practices, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Experience influencing leaders and navigating complex organizational situations.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, conflict resolution, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in highly sensitive situations.
• Experience supporting a multi-state workforce preferred.
• Experience in financial services or other highly regulated industries preferred.

Internal Application Policy:

Internal applicants must be in good standing and have a minimum of 1 year of service with Kestra. Internal applicants must also have a minimum of 1 year service in current role unless approved by EVP.

Benefits to support you:

• Competitive pay and benefits with a large employer (over 1600 employees nationwide)
• 401(k), health insurance, and a competitive benefits package
• Work in a supportive, collaborative environment committed to professional excellence
• Help clients navigate meaningful financial decisions with confidence
• Opportunities for training, development, and long-term growth within the firm
• Tuition reimbursement for qualified expenses

Kestra Values:

Our Mission is Powering Financial Independence, enabling the growth and success of investing clients and the advisors who serve them. We do that by living our values: Serve, Make it Happen, and One team.

Explore Life at Kestra

Kestra Holdings Website: https://www.kestrafinancial.com/

Careers Portal: https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/kestra/KESTRACAREERSITE

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kestra-financial

Disclosure

• You acknowledge that if hired, Kestra Financial, Inc. may, obtain and use background information concerning your credit, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, work habits, performance and experience for evaluation for your potential employment.
• It is the policy of Kestra Financial to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Kestra Financial prohibits any such discrimination or harassment.