Employee Relations Manager

About Big 5 Sporting Goods


Big 5 Sporting Goods is a leading retailer of name-brand sporting goods and accessories, serving customers through hundreds of stores across 11 Western states. For more than 65 years, we've been dedicated to providing value to our customers while creating meaningful career opportunities for our employees. At Big 5, we believe our people are our greatest asset. We foster a collaborative, supportive, and team-oriented environment where employees are encouraged to share ideas, develop new skills, and make a meaningful impact. As we continue to evolve and grow, we remain committed to creating a workplace built on respect, integrity, inclusion, and professional development. We're looking for an Employee Relations Manager to join our Human Resources team and help support a positive employee experience across our retail and corporate operations.


Role Overview


As our Employee Relations Manager, you'll play an important role in shaping a positive employee experience throughout the organization. This position serves as a trusted partner to leaders and employees by providing guidance on employee relations matters, workplace investigations, performance management, accommodations, leaves of absence, and employment law compliance. We're looking for a confident and approachable HR professional who enjoys solving problems, building relationships, and helping leaders navigate complex situations. You'll work closely with Human Resources leadership, Operations, and Legal partners to support a workplace culture where employees feel respected, heard, and supported. This role offers the opportunity to make a visible impact while working alongside a knowledgeable and collaborative HR team at our Corporate Headquarters in El Segundo, California.


Key Responsibilities


As an Employee Relations Manager, you'll help support employee relations, compliance, and workplace investigations across the organization, including:

• Managing employee relations matters across retail and corporate locations
• Conducting and overseeing workplace investigations involving employee complaints and policy violations
• Reviewing and administering disciplinary actions, suspension notices, and termination documentation
• Providing guidance on performance management, policy interpretation, and employee concerns
• Ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws
• Partnering with outside counsel on litigation-sensitive matters and agency charges
• Maintaining employee relations records, reporting, and case management documentation
• Supporting HR policy development, training initiatives, and manager resources

Day to day, you'll:

• Investigate complaints related to harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and workplace conduct
• Gather facts, interview employees, and prepare comprehensive investigation summaries
• Draft and review disciplinary documentation to ensure consistency and legal compliance
• Advise store and corporate leadership on employee relations matters and performance issues
• Partner with Leave of Absence and Workers' Compensation teams on accommodation and return-to-work matters
• Respond to agency charges and assist with employment-related legal matters
• Maintain accurate employee relations files, metrics, and compliance records
• Develop and support HR training programs, policies, and management toolkits
• Interact with outside counsel, government agencies, and third-party administrators as needed
• Identify opportunities to improve policies, processes, and organizational compliance

What We're Looking For Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 3-5 years of progressive employee relations or HR generalist experience
• Experience supporting a multi-state retail or similarly complex workforce environment
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification is a plus
• Experience working with HRIS or case management systems, such as UKG

Core to the role

• Strong knowledge of employee relations practices and employment law compliance
• Excellent investigative, analytical, and documentation skills
• Ability to read and interpret legal correspondence, employment policies, and government regulations
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to create clear, professional documentation
• Ability to communicate diplomatically and effectively with employees at all organizational levels
• Sound judgment and critical thinking when handling sensitive and confidential matters
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft 365 applications
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail
• Familiarity with AI-based productivity tools is a plus
• Ability to identify legal and business risk, exercise discretion, and make recommendations involving multiple variables in non-standardized situations

We're looking for a thoughtful and solutions-oriented HR professional who is passionate about employee relations and creating a positive workplace culture. The ideal candidate brings strong judgment, a high level of professionalism, and a genuine commitment to supporting both employees and business leaders. If you enjoy collaborating with others, navigating complex challenges, and making a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.


Essential Functions & Work Environment


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Conduct and manage workplace investigations involving employee complaints, policy violations, and other employee relations matters
• Prepare, review, and maintain employee relations documentation, investigation files, disciplinary records, and reports
• Analyze complex employment situations and apply sound judgment when making recommendations regarding employee relations, compliance, and business risk
• Regularly communicate with employees, managers, legal counsel, government agencies, and third-party partners through verbal and written correspondence
• Use computers, HRIS systems, case management tools, and Microsoft 365 applications to perform essential job duties
• Maintain confidentiality while handling sensitive employee, legal, and organizational information
• Manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail
• Regularly sit for extended periods while performing administrative, analytical, and employee relations functions
• Frequently use hands and fingers to operate a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other office equipment
• Frequently reach with hands and arms and enter information accurately into computer systems
• Occasionally lift and/or move files, office supplies, or materials weighing up to 15 pounds
• Maintain regular and dependable attendance
• Occasionally travel to Company store locations and other business-related sites as needed

The Employee Relations Manager primarily works in an office environment located at Big 5 Sporting Goods' Corporate Headquarters in El Segundo, California. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus when working with computer screens, documents, and detailed records. The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate.

Perks & Benefits


At Big 5 Sporting Goods, we're committed to supporting our employees both professionally and personally. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to promote wellness, financial security, and work-life balance:

• Dental, Medical, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan - 401(k)/Roth IRA
• Paid Personal Time Off, Sick Leave, and Vacation
• Employee Purchase Discount
• Employee Referral Program
• Company Sponsored Education Assistance
• Kinecta Credit Union Membership
• Pet Insurance
• Ticket Discounts to Top Attractions and Events

Salary


Annual Salary Range: $80,000 - $85,000, depending on experience and qualifications. This is a salaried, exempt position. Regular and dependable attendance is required. This is a full-time position based at Big 5 Sporting Goods' Corporate Headquarters in El Segundo, California. At Big 5 Sporting Goods, you'll find more than a job. You'll find a team that values collaboration, professional growth, and doing meaningful work together. We are proud of our culture and the people who make it possible, and we look forward to welcoming talented individuals who want to grow their careers with us.

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