Employee Relations Manager

Employee Relations Manager Location: Los Angeles (Mid-City) Schedule: Hybrid – 1–2 days onsite per week Pay Rate: $32-$36/hr Duration: Contract (strong potential to convert) Industry: Nonprofit About the Role We are partnering with a mission-driven nonprofit organization to identify an Employee Relations Manager to join their People Support Services team. This role is ideal for someone who is highly approachable, discreet, and deeply focused on employee experience. You’ll serve as a trusted resource for employees and leaders alike, handling sensitive issues, guiding performance conversations, and supporting a fair, inclusive workplace culture. This is a hands-on employee relations role where relationship-building, sound judgment, and empathy are just as important as policy knowledge. The right candidate will be comfortable conducting investigations, coaching leaders, and being a steady, trusted presence for employees navigating workplace concerns. Key Responsibilities Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations matters, including employee concerns, performance issues, and workplace conflict Conduct fair, thorough, and confidential investigations and fact-finding related to employee complaints and concerns Provide coaching and guidance to managers on performance management, corrective action, and disciplinary processes Partner closely with People Support Services leadership to support employee engagement, retention, and workplace culture initiatives Support employee engagement efforts, including employee surveys and follow-up action planning Promote and model organizational values related to access, belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity in all interactions Maintain a high level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive employee information Collaborate with HR leadership to ensure consistency and compliance with internal policies and employment laws Qualifications 3+ years of Employee Relations experience (required) Bilingual in Spanish is a plus Background as an HR Generalist or HR Manager with strong ER exposure is highly preferred Experience with investigations, performance management, and employee coaching Knowledge of HR policies and labor/employment law Strong communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills Approachable, calm, and easy to talk to—someone employees trust Prior nonprofit or education-based experience is a plus SHRM or HR certification preferred, but not required Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. EEO Notice Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual’s skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.