Senior Manager of Employee Relations & HR Compliance

Next Insurance; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Next Insurance in Boston is seeking a Senior Manager, Employee Relations & HR Compliance to oversee global employee relations and compliance programs, ensuring a fair and legally compliant approach across the organization.

This role bridges strategic leadership with deep compliance expertise—providing counsel, structure, and proactive risk management, while partnering with Legal, People Operations and business leadership to advance policies and training.

Qualifications

• JD degree from an accredited law school.
• 8+ years of experience in employment law or HR compliance.
• Experience leading employee relations investigations and preventive frameworks.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee global employee relations strategy, case management, performance management and issue resolution.
• Manage investigations, complex performance cases, disciplinary actions and terminations.
• Provide training to managers on employee relations and documentation best practices.
• Oversee HR compliance programs across employment, labor, immigration and regulatory domains.
• Lead policy reviews, audits, and readiness for internal/external audits.
• Provide pragmatic legal guidance balancing compliance with business needs.

Skills

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Legal and compliance counsel

Investigation leadership

Business judgment

Handling confidential information

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

• The Sr. Manager, Employee Relations & HR Compliance will oversee the company’s global employee relations and human resources compliance programs, ensuring a consistent, fair, and legally compliant approach
• This role bridges strategic employee relations leadership with deep compliance expertise—providing counsel, structure, and proactive risk management across the organization
• This position reports to the Head of Global Center of Excellence and partners closely with Legal, People Operations, HR Business Partners and business leadership
• Employee Relations Leadership:
• Lead the global employee relations strategy, investigations case management, performance management, and employee issue resolution processes to ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance across the organization
• Manage an Employee Relations Specialist and oversee escalated or complex investigations and performance management cases
• Partner with People Business Partners to manage sensitive investigations, complex performance management cases, disciplinary actions, and terminations while mitigating organizational risk
• Provide training and guidance to managers and leaders on employee relations best practices, early intervention, and appropriate documentation
• Monitor and report on trends, themes, and outcomes to the VP, Global Head of People, identifying areas for policy enhancement or leadership development
• HR Compliance:
• Oversee all HR compliance programs across employment, labor, immigration, and regulatory domains in partnership with Legal and People Operations
• Ensure adherence to federal, state, and international employment regulations
• Lead HR compliance audits, risk assessments, and policy reviews to ensure readiness for internal and external audits and regulatory reviews
• Track, interpret, and communicate changes in employment law and regulation; update internal processes, policies, and handbooks accordingly
• Develop, implement, and maintain global HR policies and procedures that promote a safe, inclusive, and legally compliant workplace
• Coordinate compliance training for employees on topics such as anti-harassment, ethics, and workplace conduct
• Ensure employee data handling aligns with applicable privacy laws
• Legal and Advisory Support:
• Provide legal and practical counsel to HR and management
• Offer clear, pragmatic, and commercially minded legal guidance that balances compliance with business needs in a fast-paced environment

Ability to handle highly confidential information and sensitive mattersExperience managing or partnering with outside counselStrong business judgment with the ability to prioritize and provide actionable, risk-balanced recommendationsProven experience leading employee relations investigations and developing preventive frameworksJD degree from an accredited law schoolDeep understanding of employment, labor, privacy, and immigration compliance mattersExcellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skillsInsurance industry experience is a plus8+ years of experience in employment law or HR compliance, ideally within a fast-paced or tech-oriented environment