Strategic Employee Relations Leader — Remote

Cox Automotive; New Orleans (LA); Remote; USD 81,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Cox Automotive is seeking a Senior Employee Relations Business Partner to guide and support employee relations across the organization. You will partner with leaders, Legal, and HR to deliver consistent, equitable employee experience aligned with company values.

The role requires strong investigative and advisory skills, the ability to manage multiple cases, and a willingness to travel up to 25% while supporting a fully remote work model where appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Management or related discipline and 4 years' experience in a related field.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Direct experience handling all aspects of employee relations issues, including intake, review, and resolution.
• Advanced knowledge of workplace investigations, union avoidance, and state and federal employment laws.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, communicate, and build credibility with employees and leaders at all levels of the organization.
• Exceptional coaching, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to advise HR Business Partners and all levels of management around recommendations to resolve employee concerns and issues.
• Able to work independently and with a sense of urgency and prioritization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling highly sensitive and confidential matters.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and communicate data and trends to inform recommendations and business decisions.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time, as needed, for investigations.
• Ability to work successfully 100% remotely other than periodically required travel.

Responsibilities

• Serve as employee relations expert, providing guidance on employee concerns and conducting investigations, advising/guiding leaders, demonstrating effective listening, probing, and investigative skills; with the ability to clearly and objectively synthesize information in a timely manner.
• Perform and document investigations and all other matters according to Employee Relations team process documents and guidelines.
• Partner directly with the Employee Relations team, People Leaders, HR Business Partners, Legal, and other departments as needed on recommendations to resolve inquiries, concerns, and investigations in line with our company values.
• Act as a champion for compliance, helping to interpret company policies and processes, ensure consistent application, alignment with company priorities, and educate employees and other stakeholders, as needed.
• Own assigned employee relations cases in our case management system and/or Ethics Hotline, documenting investigation findings according to best practices.
• Analyze and track employee relations trends to proactively identify and address areas of opportunity and improve employee engagement.
• Partner with HR Business Partners to champion and promote a positive and open employee relations climate, where employees are comfortable seeking guidance and receiving a prompt resolution of issues.
• Assist with information gathering for legal complaints and charges.

Skills

Microsoft Office proficiency

Investigation management

HR policy guidance

Influencing leadership

Communication (verbal)

Communication (written)

Judgement and discretion

Data interpretation

Travel readiness

Remote work capability

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business or related

Tools

ServiceNow

AI tools (Copilot/Claude)

Job description

Cox Automotive is seeking a Senior Employee Relations Business Partner to guide and support employee relations across the organization. You will partner with leaders, Legal, and HR to deliver consistent, equitable employee experience aligned with company values.

The role requires strong investigative and advisory skills, the ability to manage multiple cases, and a willingness to travel up to 25% while supporting a fully remote work model where appropriate.