Employee Relations Manager

Job Description

The Employee Relations Manager serves as primary manager and partners with the broader Employee Relations/Risk Operations, People Experience team, Risk, Regulatory and Legal Affairs, Compliance and various business leaders to manage complex employee relations matters and investigations in a fast-paced environment. This individual is responsible for conducting investigations, producing detailed documentation and timely case resolution while owning matters beginning to end. Ability to demonstrate flexibility and maintain focus while managing changing demands and priorities is critical. By championing the employee relations experience and leveraging organizational culture/values, the ER Manager is responsible for ensuring equitable resolutions to employee relations matters in partnership with key stakeholders. Additional responsibilities include managing complex cases on a variety of topics including performance management/separation disputes, policy and compliance violations, solving complex problems, escalating high priority issues and crisis management matters. This role is critical in driving employee initiatives, resolving issues, providing exceptional internal support, and driving a high-performance culture within the People & Culture team and the Firm. The role also requires the use of sound judgement to mitigate risk and weigh the importance and validity of information to form fact-based opinions, solve problems and make formal recommendations.


The Employee Relations Manager serves as a key member of the People & Culture team in support of firm-wide goals and objectives. This role will report to the Associate Director of National Employee Relations.

Core Responsibilities:

Investigation Management:

• Manage employee relations matters and investigations end to end, including producing clear, concise investigation memos, executive updates, disciplinary documentation and utilizing a centralized case management system.
• Serve as a lead investigator for highly complex and sensitive colleague relations matters across various service lines and drive towards solutions successful outcomes that align with firm culture, values and inclusion priorities.
• Conduct investigation interviews, gather, analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources and summarize investigation findings verbally and in writing in a clear/concise manner.
• Use sound judgement to mitigate risk and form fact-based opinions to solve matters and make recommendations.
• Work with business leadership to proactively identify issues and the root causes and opportunities to mitigate risk and drive strategic outcomes.
• Make risk based recommendations and decisions in compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Use Microsoft Excel to analyze data and metrics to make critical decisions; identify patterns and reports findings and trends as appropriate.
• Continuously identify and drive improvements within the investigative process and proactively identify opportunities for additional risk controls, education and/or refined guidelines.
• Collaborate with business leaders, broader People Experience team and Risk, Regulatory and Legal Affairs to ensure a consistent and comprehensive employee relations delivery experience.

Risk Operations:

• Manage crisis management matters while adapting to competing demands.
• Lead complex initiatives with large impact and serve as key risk management subject matter expert.
• Serve as ER Subject Matter expert by applying compliance, firm policy and employment law knowledge to mitigate risk to the firm.
• Consult on performance management matters, including ensuring supporting documentation is in place.
• Execute project management deliverables with keen focus on collaboration across stakeholder groups.
• Mentor, train, consult and provide risk-based guidance to various P&C functions, as needed.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Demonstrated expertise investigating complex matters and proven track record of effectively managing risk with optimal outcomes.
• Experienced in working with highly confidential, complex and sensitive HR/employee relations matter in an objective manner while using the lens of the firm's culture, values and inclusion perspective.
• Confident with strong personal initiative as someone who is willing to roll up their sleeves and do whatever it takes to get the job done.
• A business-minded people leader with a focus on providing superb colleague care, conveying empathy, patience and outstanding listening skills in a highly collaborative, client-service orientated environment.
• A natural mentoring and influencing leader with engaging and approachable personality. Will have experience working successfully with all levels of staff, from front-line through senior executive.
• Experience in prioritization and negotiations with demonstrated ability to be effective in supporting multiple business leaders/partners working across different business areas of focus.
• Highly collaborative and action-oriented, with strong influencing skills; someone who is a change agent who can build collaborative relationships across a matrixed organization.
• Operationally focused with the ability to think strategically and deliver tactically.
• Solve complex problems, develop solutions and execute with ease.

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university is required
• 7 +years of Employee Relations experience
• Strong verbal and written communication & presentation skills.
• Proven strengths in negotiation, influencing, analysis, and problem solving.
• Ability to multi-task with ease while continuously prioritizing urgent needs first in a fast-paced environment
• Experience using case management tool
• Demonstrated experience in defining and implementing detailed ER business processes.
• A reputation for discretion, integrity, judgment, responsiveness, strong attention to detail and quality and common sense.
• Experienced in a matrixed environment within a professional service industry.
• Experienced in managing, mentoring and developing a team of HR practitioners
• Knowledge of employment regulations across multiple jurisdictions, including exposure to California employment laws
• Solid PC skills with proficiency in MS Office.
• PHR/SPHR or CP/SCP certification is a plus
• Ability to travel less than 5% to service client base

The base salary range for this position is between $112,000 and $160,000. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton's discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job -related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

About Us

At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result - for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It's what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better.


In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services - and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.


In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.


Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.

About the Team

The team you're about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here's how:


• Whether it's your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work the way that it best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a GT office or client site.


• Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household.


• We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different - and we think that's a good thing. That's why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. See how at


• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we're taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at


Here's what you can expect next:


If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at


Benefits:


We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different, and we think that's a good thing. That's why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit:

• Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm's medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm's employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.

• Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm's medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm's employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm's 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave.

Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.


Additional Details:


It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.


Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.


For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.


For Massachusetts Applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Grant Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.