Sr Employee Relations Specialist

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 87,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vivmark Residential seeks an Employee Relations Specialist to foster a fair, proactive workplace. You will handle complex investigations, guide performance management, and partner with HRBPs to address trends and risks.

Onsite Monday through Thursday with remote work Fridays, you will apply data insights to inform policy updates, training, and regulatory compliance across multi-state operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent practical experience.
• 4-7 years of specialized Employee Relations experience with complex investigations.
• Bilingual Spanish desirable to support a diverse workforce.
• Ability to analyze HR case management data to identify trends and provide insights.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local labor laws; proactive compliance.

Responsibilities

• Case Management & Investigations: handle complex employee relations matters with impartial investigations and full lifecycle management.
• Performance & Conflict Management: coach leaders on documentation, accountability, and disciplinary processes.
• Strategic Partnership: collaborate with HR stakeholders to align interventions with business unit goals and talent strategies.
• Data & Insights: leverage case data to identify patterns and inform training and policy changes.
• Policy & Compliance: stay current on labor laws and ensure ER practices comply with regulations.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish

HR data analysis

Employee relations

Policy compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

HRIS systems

Case management systems

Job description

Vivmark Residential exists to set the mark for what home can be. Formed through the merger of AvalonBay Communities and Equity Residential, Vivmark brings together two industry leaders with a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and delivering exceptional living experiences. Our vision is to be the most trusted and best-performing rental housing company in America - one that continues to get better as it grows. And we're looking for people who want to help us do it.

As an owner, developer, and manager of more than 180,000 apartment homes in major markets across the US, we have the scale to offer something most companies can’t. At Vivmark, team members move up and across functions, markets, and disciplines, building lasting careers. We invest in team members' growth, development, and capabilities that make them and us better, and we hold ourselves to the highest standard as an employer.

The best people want to work here. We hope you’re one of them.

As an Employee Relations Specialist, you will play a critical role in fostering a fair, consistent, and proactive workplace environment. You will serve as a subject matter expert, handling complex employee relations investigations, providing guidance on performance management and disciplinary processes, and utilizing data to identify systemic risks and trends. This role requires a balance of investigative rigor, compassionate coaching, and strategic partnership with HR Business Partners (HRBPs).

Please note: Our current onsite work schedule requires attendance from Monday through Thursday each week, with remote work permitted on Fridays.

Core Responsibilities

• Case Management & Investigations: Serve as contact for complex employee relations matters. Conduct thorough, impartial and timely investigations into allegations of misconduct, policy violations, and harassment/discrimination. Manage the full investigation life cycle, from intake to documentation and resolution. Ensures a consistent and proactively communicated employee experience throughout the investigation process
• Performance & Conflict Management: Coach leaders on performance documentation, accountability, and the application of our disciplinary framework. Guide managers through difficult conversations to ensure consistency and minimize legal risk.
• Strategic Partnership: Collaborate with stakeholders to align employee relations interventions with business unit goals and talent strategies and to proactively address team climate issues
• Data & Insights: Leverage case management data to identify patterns and emerging risks. Present findings to HR leadership to inform proactive training, policy adjustments, and organizational interventions.
• Policy & Compliance: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local, state, and federal labor laws. Ensure all ER practices, documentation, and investigation plans adhere to company standards and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent practical experience may be considered.
• 4-7 years of specialized experience in Employee Relations, with a demonstrated track record of managing complex workplace investigations from intake to resolution.
• Bilingual proficiency (Spanish) is highly desirable to support a diverse workforce.
• Proven ability to analyze HR case management data to identify trends, derive actionable insights, and implement proactive solutions.
• Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local labor and employment laws, with specific proficiency in California employment regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, coach, and partner with leadership and HR stakeholders to achieve consistent, compliant, and positive outcomes.
• Proficiency in utilizing HRIS and case management systems to maintain accurate documentation and audit trails.
• Prior experience operating within a multi-state/multi-site environment.

Salary:

$87,000 - $100,000 per year; in addition to base salary, a discretionary 10% annual bonus is provided.

The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, and qualifications.

Physical And Visual Activities

Ability to hear and speak well enough to converse verbally over the phone and in-person (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken or written word). Ability to interpret, evaluate and communicate detailed written or verbal instructions to others accurately and easily. Able to see well enough to use the computer effectively and read written communications. Ability to lift, push, pull or carry up to 15 pounds for the dissemination of documents, supplies, materials, etc. to various locations throughout the office/facility. May be required to climb stairs depending on the property structure.

The above describes the physical and visual activities that are commonly associated with the performance of the essential functions of this job. Commonly associated is not intended to mean always or only. Reasonable accommodation will be provided as required by law to enable otherwise qualified employees with a known disability to perform the essential functions of the job.