Lead People Relations Consultant, Employee Relations

Lead People Relations Consultant, Employee Relations

The Lead People Relations Consultant, Employee Relations is responsible for leading complex employee relations matters, managing employee relations strategy and execution, and providing high-level consultation to leaders on workplace concerns, employee issues, labor-related matters, and workforce issues with significant organizational impact.

This role serves as a senior employee relations subject matter expert and people leader, with strong knowledge of labor relations principles, responsibility for guiding and developing team members, overseeing complex casework, and ensuring consistent, thoughtful, and high-quality employee relations support across the organization.

The role partners closely with senior leaders, People Business Partners, Legal, Compliance, and other stakeholders to support sound decision-making, positive workplace relationships, effective labor-management practices, and consistent application of policies, practices, and workplace standards.

This position also serves as the escalation point for the Employee Relations team, leading the strategy, coordination, and resolution of workplace concerns, employee complaints, investigations, conflict resolution efforts, performance-related matters, and other complex employee and labor relations issues.

Responsibilities

• Leads the most complex and sensitive employee relations matters end-to-end, including workplace complaints, employee concerns, investigations, performance and conduct issues, conflict resolution, workplace disputes, labor-related employee matters, and issues requiring senior-level judgment.
• Leads employee relations strategy and execution for complex workforce matters, including issue assessment, risk evaluation, resolution planning, stakeholder alignment, and consistent application of organizational policies, workplace practices, and labor-related considerations when applicable.
• Serves as the primary escalation point for the Employee Relations team, providing direction, consultation, and quality oversight on complex matters, high-impact issues, and sensitive employee relations decisions.
• Leads, coaches, and develops Employee Relations team members by setting clear expectations, reviewing work, strengthening judgment, supporting professional growth, and promoting consistency in employee relations practices and outcomes.
• Provides strategic consultation to senior leaders and HR partners on employee relations matters, workplace investigations, performance and conduct concerns, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, labor-related employee issues, and workforce decisions.
• Partners with Legal on employee relations matters involving administrative charges, mediation, investigations, pre-litigation issues, workplace complaints, labor-related matters, and other complex situations requiring coordinated strategy, documentation, and witness readiness. This role does not serve as legal counsel of record.
• Performs internal and external trend analysis, identifies patterns and systemic issues, and recommends practical interventions that strengthen leader capability, improve consistency, and support a constructive employee experience.
• Serves as a senior subject matter expert in employee relations, labor relations, employment practices, HR policies and procedures, and employment law concepts, translating complexity into clear and actionable guidance for leaders and partners.
• Designs and facilitates practical, scenario-based leader training and guidance materials to strengthen employee relations capability, improve consistency in practice, support labor relations awareness, and enhance long-term organizational effectiveness.
• This list is not all-inclusive and you are expected to perform other duties as requested or assigned.

Qualifications

• 5+ years as IC w/Associate's degree; 0+ years supervisory
• Additional experience may be accepted in lieu of education or degree
• Juris Doctor (JD) may be obtained or preferred; however, this role does not represent the Company in legal matters and does not act as attorney of record
• 8-12+ years progressive employee relations experience, including complex case leadership, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, consultation with leaders on sensitive workforce matters, and exposure to labor relations environments.
• Demonstrated experience supporting complex workplace issues, conducting investigations, advising leaders on risk-based employee relations decisions, and partnering on labor-related employee matters when needed.
• Expert employee relations capability, including workplace investigations, conflict resolution, performance and conduct consultation, policy interpretation, employment risk management, leader coaching, and a strong understanding of labor relations principles and practices.
• Strong people leadership capability, including coaching, work direction, case review, performance feedback, capability building, and development of high-performing team members.
• Strong understanding of employment risk concepts (EEO, retaliation, wage and hour, leave frameworks) and ability to translate them into operational decision-making.
• Executive-level consultation skills, including confident communication, negotiation, stakeholder management, and conflict navigation.
• Advanced investigation capability, including planning, interviewing, credibility assessment, evidence analysis, and defensible documentation.
• Strong operational rigor: prioritization, case governance, standard work discipline, and ability to build repeatable systems and playbooks.
• Analytical mindset: ability to use data and insights to identify systemic drivers, recommend interventions, and measure outcomes.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and collaboration tools (Teams); comfort operating in HR case management systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills, mediation skills, consultation, and the ability to handle difficult situations with tact and diplomacy
• Ability to prioritize, handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment in order to meet deadlines
• Ability to work across multiple teams, and with people on a variety of organizational levels in often ambiguous circumstances
• High discretion and confidentiality, mature judgment, and professional integrity.
• Experience working across time zones, constituent groups, and locations, utilizing technology to complete duties is preferred

Licenses• SHRM-CP. Society for Human Resources - Certified Professional Upon Hire Pref'• Professional in Human Resources (PHR)-HRCI. Professional in Human Resources (PHR)-HRCI Upon Hire Pref'Base Pay Information The national base pay range at the end is a good-faith estimate of what Delta Dental may pay for new hires. Actual pay may vary based on Delta Dental's assessment of the candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), related experience, education, certifications and ability to meet required minimum job qualifications. Other factors impacting pay include prevailing wages in the work location and internal equity. Pay Grade 22. $$93,445 - $202,465

Additional Information

Behind the smile! We are dedicated to safeguarding the health and financial stability of our employees and their loved ones. This commitment extends beyond the workplace to foster personal growth and holistic wellbeing. Our life-changing rewards package includes:

• Competitive base and incentive pay
• 401(k) with robust matching and non-matching contributions
• Rich medical & pharmacy benefits
• 100% employer-paid dental and vision benefits
• Holistic wellbeing program with deep financial incentives
• Generous paid time off plus 12 paid holidays and your birthday off
• Culture of growth and learning: career development; tuition reimbursement; recognition program
• Family support: adoption assistance, fertility treatment, child, elder & pet care assistance
• Social responsibility and volunteer opportunities
• Employee discount program

Fair Chance Ordinances and Criminal Background Considerations This position requires that the applicant undergo a background check. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state or local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and/or New York Corrections Law Article 23-A. Important Work Authorization Information Please note, Delta Dental will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position. #LI-Remote

About the Team

At Delta Dental, we're behind millions of smiles and counting. For over 68 years, we've served our communities by increasing access to affordable, quality care – but that commitment to care extends beyond the people we serve, to the dedicated employees who make those smiles genuine. We've come this far by building fair programs that offer opportunities for advancement, create meaningful connections and improve the lives of our employees and their families. Because we know that when we take exceptional care of each other, we can make a positive impact for all. We champion an inspirational workplace through our commitment to trust, service, excellence and innovation. Joining us means working for a company that offers stability and balance, opportunities for leadership at all levels, and a work environment focused on teamwork and camaraderie. Discover the smiling faces behind Delta Dental and experience our values and culture in action by connecting with us on social media. Follow Delta Dental Ins. on Facebook and Instagram, #LifeatDDins on Facebook and Instagram, Delta Dental Ins.