Senior Employee Relations Specialist

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Employee Relations Specialist to join our dynamic HR team. The ideal candidate will play a crucial role in developing and implementing employee relations strategies that foster a positive work environment and enhance employee engagement. This position requires a proactive approach to resolving complex employee relations issues, conducting thorough investigations, and ensuring compliance with company policies and legal requirements. The Senior Employee Relations Specialist will collaborate closely with HR and legal teams to address and resolve matters effectively and efficiently, while also analyzing trends to recommend proactive solutions.

Essential Functions and Work Responsibilities

Provide expert advice and guidance to managers and employees on complex employee relations issues, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and performance management.

Conduct thorough investigations into employee complaints and grievances, ensuring compliance with company policies and legal requirements.

Collaborate with HR and legal teams to address and resolve employee relations matters effectively and efficiently.

Stay updated on labor laws and regulations to ensure company practices are compliant and mitigate potential risks.

Foster open communication channels between employees and management to address concerns and improve workplace morale.

Assist with the development of training, tools, templates, processes and reference materials, or other projects in support of the ER COE function. Use ER Case Management system to store and track case notes; instructs HRBPs on the case management system and may assign cases to HRBP staff members and monitor case progress.

Assist with identifying solutions that ensure business needs are met while managing risk for the company.

Work with employees and their managers to understand perspectives and to guide toward resolution of conflict or issues.

Consult with managers on difficult or complex Performance Management issues, including PIPs, exit strategies and involuntary separations.

Monitor trends and recommends remediation actions.

Provide input and insight on engagement efforts and remedies.

Assist with the creation and refinement of company-wide HR policies; collaborates and consult on non-HR policies.

Utilize Case Management tools to document and effectively manage ER investigations and mitigates risk.

Establish and maintain a deep understanding of labor laws and employee relations practices across various regions and countries to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Assist with the development, planning and implementation of policies and procedures that promote a positive employer-employee relationship and contribute to an overall high level of employee engagement.

Assist with complex employee relations issues, including investigations of misconduct, harassment, discrimination, etc.

Other duties as assigned or requested.

Travel

Estimated Percent of time Spent – Less than 10%

Occasional travel to other InnovAge locations to participate in investigations and meetings

Travel between local InnovAge worksites

Overnight travel may be required

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

REQUIRED

Education : Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience : Minimum of 5 years of experience in employee relations or a related HR role, with a proven track record of handling complex employee relations issues.

Skills:

Strong knowledge of labor laws and regulations.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Ability to conduct thorough and unbiased investigations.

Proficiency in conflict resolution and performance management.

Analytical skills to interpret employee relations metrics and trends.

Experience in designing and delivering training programs.

Ability to work collaboratively with HR and legal teams.

PREFERRED

Education Advanced degree (MBA, Master’s in HR, MPA, etc.)

Licensure, Certification, Registration or Designation

SHRM-SCP or SPHR

InnovAge is dedicated to empowering seniors to live independently, allowing them to age in their own homes and communities safely. InnovAge offers an alternative to nursing homes through its Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which provides enrolled seniors with customized healthcare and social support at PACE Adult Day Health Centers. These centers are staffed by medical professionals who are committed to creating personalized care plans for each participant. At InnovAge, our team members are our greatest asset and have a significant impact on the lives of our participants every day. When you join InnovAge, you'll work alongside talented, respectful, and passionate colleagues within a patient-centered care model.

InnovAge is committed to equal opportunity and affirmative action, and we strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. We consider all qualified candidates for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, pregnancy, or any other protected status. Salaries are determined by various factors such as qualifications, experience, and location, and do not include potential bonuses or benefits. Our extensive benefits package includes medical/dental/vision insurance, short and long-term disability, life insurance and AD&D, supplemental life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) savings, paid time off, and company-paid holidays.

Applicants are considered until the position is filled. $64,500 - $80,700 Compensation Disclaimer

The pay may vary depending on job related factors, such as work location, experience, knowledge, skills, education, certifications, training and internal equity. InnovAge offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan with company match, short and long-term disability, life insurance, supplemental life insurance, ADD, flexible spending account, paid time off and company paid holidays.

Attention Florida Applicants This position requires a background screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. For more information, please visit the Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website: https://info.flclearinghouse.com

Agency Disclaimer

InnovAge will not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms for this employment opportunity. Regardless of past practices, all candidates/resumes submitted by search firms to InnovAge by any means without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the property of InnovAge and no fee will be paid in the event such candidate is hired by InnovAge.

Fraud Disclaimer

InnovAge is committed to maintaining a safe, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all candidates.

Please be aware that all legitimate email communication regarding InnovAge job opportunities will come exclusively from an email address ending in @innovage.com.

At no point in our hiring process will InnovAge:

Request payment from candidates for equipment, background checks, onboarding, training, or any other employment‑related purpose

Ask for financial information (such as bank account details) before a formal offer and onboarding process is completed through our official systems

If you receive a message claiming to represent InnovAge that does not align with the above, it may be fraudulent. We encourage you to exercise caution and refrain from engaging or sharing personal information.

If you believe you have been contacted by someone misrepresenting InnovAge, please report the activity to HRAnswers@innovage.com or apply directly through our official career site to ensure the opportunity is legitimate.

Your trust matters to us, and we appreciate your interest in joining InnovAge.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Employee Relations Specialist to join our dynamic HR team. The ideal candidate will play a crucial role in developing and implementing employee relations strategies that foster a positive work environment and enhance employee engagement. This position requires a proactive approach to resolving complex employee relations issues, conducting thorough investigations, and ensuring compliance with company policies and legal requirements. The Senior Employee Relations Specialist will collaborate closely with HR and legal teams to address and resolve matters effectively and efficiently, while also analyzing trends to recommend proactive solutions.

Essential Functions and Work Responsibilities

Provide expert advice and guidance to managers and employees on complex employee relations issues, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and performance management.

Conduct thorough investigations into employee complaints and grievances, ensuring compliance with company policies and legal requirements.

Collaborate with HR and legal teams to address and resolve employee relations matters effectively and efficiently.

Stay updated on labor laws and regulations to ensure company practices are compliant and mitigate potential risks.

Foster open communication channels between employees and management to address concerns and improve workplace morale.

Assist with the development of training, tools, templates, processes and reference materials, or other projects in support of the ER COE function. Use ER Case Management system to store and track case notes; instructs HRBPs on the case management system and may assign cases to HRBP staff members and monitor case progress.

Assist with identifying solutions that ensure business needs are met while managing risk for the company.

Work with employees and their managers to understand perspectives and to guide toward resolution of conflict or issues.

Consult with managers on difficult or complex Performance Management issues, including PIPs, exit strategies and involuntary separations.

Monitor trends and recommends remediation actions.

Provide input and insight on engagement efforts and remedies.

Assist with the creation and refinement of company-wide HR policies; collaborates and consult on non-HR policies.

Utilize Case Management tools to document and effectively manage ER investigations and mitigates risk.

Establish and maintain a deep understanding of labor laws and employee relations practices across various regions and countries to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Assist with the development, planning and implementation of policies and procedures that promote a positive employer-employee relationship and contribute to an overall high level of employee engagement.

Assist with complex employee relations issues, including investigations of misconduct, harassment, discrimination, etc.

Other duties as assigned or requested.

Travel

Estimated Percent of time Spent – Less than 10%

Occasional travel to other InnovAge locations to participate in investigations and meetings

Travel between local InnovAge worksites

Overnight travel may be required

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

REQUIRED

Education : Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience : Minimum of 5 years of experience in employee relations or a related HR role, with a proven track record of handling complex employee relations issues.

Skills:

Strong knowledge of labor laws and regulations.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Ability to conduct thorough and unbiased investigations.

Proficiency in conflict resolution and performance management.

Analytical skills to interpret employee relations metrics and trends.

Experience in designing and delivering training programs.

Ability to work collaboratively with HR and legal teams.

PREFERRED

Education Advanced degree (MBA, Master’s in HR, MPA, etc.)

Licensure, Certification, Registration or Designation

SHRM-SCP or SPHR