Senior Employee Relations Partner

Senior Employee Relations Partner

Expected Salary: $118,600 - $147,000.00 per year.

Nautilus International Holding Corporation provides business administration and management services to its subsidiary marine transportation companies that have been serving the maritime community for over a century. Our mission is to consistently deliver safe, efficient, innovative and environmentally responsible maritime operational solutions for our customers.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Employee Relations Partner to join our HR team and serve as a trusted advisor on complex employee relations matters across our operations. The Senior Employee Relations Specialist/Partner leads and manages employee relations strategy across Nautilus International and its subsidiary companies. This role conducts workplace investigations, advises leadership on performance management and corrective action, ensures compliance with federal and state employment laws, and partners with HR and operations leaders to foster a fair, consistent, and legally sound work environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Employee Relations Advisory: Serve as the primary point of contact for managers and HR business partners on complex employee relations issues, including performance concerns, workplace conflicts, policy violations, and separations.
• Workplace Investigations: Lead and conduct thorough objective, and timely investigations into complaints of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, policy violations, and other workplace misconduct. Document findings into summary investigation reports and recommend corrective action.
• Labor Relations Support: Partner with leadership on matters involving unionized and non-unionized workforces, including grievance handling, CBA interpretation, and NLRB-related proceedings as needed.
• Policy Development and Compliance: Draft, review, and update employee relations policies and procedures to align with federal, California, and applicable multi-state employment laws, including FMLA, ADA, Title VII, FEHA, and wage/hour regulations.
• Performance Management: Coach managers through progressive discipline, performance improvement plans, and termination decisions. Review and approve corrective action documentation for legal sufficiency.
• Risk Mitigation: Identify trends in employee relations data, flag emerging risks, and recommend proactive strategies to reduce exposure to claims and litigation.
• Regulatory Agency Response: Assist in responding to EEOC, DOL, and NLRB charges, position statements, and information requests.
• Assist in Training: Develop and deliver training for managers and supervisors on topics such as anti-harassment and documentation best practices.
• Separation and Offboarding: Manage high-risk terminations, reductions in force, and severance processes. Conduct exit interviews and analyze trends.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Legal, Operations, and Safety on matters intersecting employee relations with maritime-specific regulatory requirements.
• Provide support across other HR functional areas as business needs require, including benefits and leave administration, compensation, policy development, HR compliance reporting, and cross-functional HR projects. Additional responsibilities may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, or related field
• Knowledge:
  • 7+ years of progressive employee relations experience, with at least 3 years handling complex investigations and advisory work
  • Deep working knowledge of federal and California employment law (Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FEHA, CFRA, wage/hour, WARN)
  • Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion, sound judgment, and neutrality
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including investigation reports and position statements
• Skills:
  • Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
  • Strong written and verbal communication.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Maintains composure and professionalism in high-conflict situations
  • Relationship-building across all levels of the organization.

Preferred:

• Additional Experiences:
  • Experience with labor relations in unionized environments, including grievance processes and CBA administration
  • Experience in maritime, transportation, logistics, or other operationally intensive industries
  • Multi-state employment law experience
• Certifications: PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Physical Demands: The physical demands described here represent those that are typically required to perform the essential functions of this position. This role requires the ability to see, hear, speak, and communicate clearly. Manual dexterity is needed for operating standard office equipment. The position may occasionally involve lifting items up to 10 pounds and may require occasional travel to meet accountabilities.
• Work Environment: Work is typically performed in a clean, well-lit, and climate-controlled office environment with low to moderate noise levels. Occasional visits to field locations may be required.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and holiday pay.
• Health, dental and vision (employee contribution required).
• 401(k) with company matching contribution.
• Bonus eligible.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Pet insurance (employee contribution required).

Why Join Us

At Nautilus, our people are our most valuable asset. We foster a collaborative, inclusive environment where team members feel valued, supported and empowered to grow with us. Whether you are starting your career or looking for the next step, we are committed to investing in your development, offering clear pathways for advancement, ongoing training and leadership development.

With operating areas across CA, FL, IN, NC, NJ, SC, TX and WA, we continue to impact diverse communities and industries. Nautilus International Holding Corporation and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

If you require reasonable accommodation to apply for a position or to perform the essential functions of a role, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.

This job description is not intended to be an employment contract or guarantee of employment. Employment with Nautilus International Holding Corporation is at-will, meaning either the employee or the company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice. This job description may be modified at any time at the sole discretion of the company.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.