Senior Manager, Employee Relations

Job Description:

The Senior Manager, Employee Relations serves as a trusted advisor to Xeris employees, providing expert guidance on complex employee relations matters while driving a fair, compliant, and high-performance workplace culture within a regulated biopharmaceutical environment. This role partners closely with HR Centers of Excellence, Legal, Compliance, and Business leaders to proactively identify organizational risks, resolve workplace issues, strengthen manager capability, and ensure consistent application of company policies and employment laws.

The Senior Manager leads complex workplace investigations, supports performance management initiatives, and provides guidance on workplace behavior and conflict issues. The ideal candidate brings strong knowledge of employment law and an understanding of regulations impacting the life sciences industry.

Essential Job Functions

• Under the supervision of the Director, Employee Relations, acts as a subject matter expert on employee relations, providing strategic guidance to leaders on complex and sensitive workplace matters.

• Coach leaders through all aspects of performance management including formal coaching letters, corrective actions, difficult conversations and documentation.

• Ensure consistency, fairness, and legal compliance in employment decisions.

• Independently lead complex workplace investigations involving allegations of misconduct, employee conflicts, harassment, discrimination, and policy violations.

• Partner with Legal and Compliance on high risk matters to ensure appropriate resolution and risk mitigation.

• Advise on involuntary terminations, ensuring compliance with employment laws and internal policies.

• Ensure all terminations are submitted into Workday along with any applicable documentation.

• Conduct exit interviews to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for organizational improvement.

• Analyze exit data and provide actionable insights to HR leadership and business partners.

• Support Manager Toolkit training by facilitating training for managers on Employment Law and other modules as needed.

• Create tools, resources, and guidance that strengthen manager capability and promote consistency across the organization.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree is a plus

• 7+ years of progressive HR Business Partner/ Employee relations experience required.

• Prior experience supporting a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device or other highly regulated organization is preferred.

• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. employment law and HR best practices.

• Demonstrated experience leading complex investigations and advising senior leaders on high-risk employee matters.

• Strong knowledge of federal, state and local employment laws

• Excellent computer skills required including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Workday knowledge is preferred

• Strong interpersonal, exceptional judgement, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and influencing skills.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify trends and recommend business focused solutions.

• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• SHRM, SPHR, or equivalent HR certification preferred.

• Competencies: Strategic thinking, Business Acumen, Influencing without Authority, Sound Judgement, Emotional Intelligence, Conflict resolutions, Collaboration, Integrity and Confidentiality.

Working Conditions

• This is a Hybrid position based in Xeris’ Chicago office. A minimum of three business days per week on site is required. On site requirement may change at management’s discretion.

• Occasional overnight travel required.

• Air travel required.

#LI-Hybrid

The anticipated hourly wage for this position is $155,750-$213,600

We are committed to offering competitive compensation. Starting pay is determined based on a variety of factors, including the role, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, education, internal equity, market data, and the location of the role, where applicable.

Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetics or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified candidates are given equal opportunity and the Company’s employment selection decisions are based solely on job-related factors. NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may be required to perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the Company.

The level of the position will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. Final determination of the actual base salary offered depends on several factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, experience, education, location, and business needs. Employees are eligible for equity or long-term incentive awards, where applicable. Field Sales role employees are eligible for a quarterly commission structure. Non-Sales role employees are eligible for an annual bonus. The Company also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes additional elements such as paid time off benefits, various health, vision, and dental insurance options, 401(k) retirement benefits and more for eligible employees. Details about these and other offerings will be provided at the time a conditional offer of employment is made. Candidates are always welcome to inquire about our compensation and benefits package during the interview process. Individuals hired as temporary employees, interns, and preceptors are not eligible for commissions, bonuses, and/or long-term incentive or equity awards. Eligibility for other benefits will be based on plan documents.

Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you require a reasonable accommodation or assistance to complete any part of the application process, please send an e-mail to View email address on click.appcast.io and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Please include the job requisition number in your message. Please note if your request is not for this stated purpose, you will not receive a response to your email. Do not include any medical or health information in this email.

Xeris participates in E-Verify. E-Verify Participation Poster

EEO is the Law EEO is the Law

EEO is the Law Supplement EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Xeris is a growth-oriented biopharmaceutical company committed to improving patient lives by developing and commercializing innovative products across a range of therapies. Xeris is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and has a strong foundation built on proprietary formulation technologies and deep expertise in clinical development and commercialization.

Recruitment Fraud Notice

Please be cautious of scam recruitment offers claiming to be from Xeris. Xeris will never request personal or financial information, payment, or fees at any stage of the recruitment process. All legitimate recruiting communications will come from a @xerispharma.com email address.

If you receive an unsolicited employment offer or are asked to provide personal information by someone claiming to represent Xeris, do not respond, click links, or open attachments, and report the incident to local law enforcement.

Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you require a reasonable accommodation or assistance to complete any part of the application process, please send an e-mail to View email address on click.appcast.io and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Please include the job requisition number in your message. Please note if your request is not for this stated purpose, you will not receive a response to your email. Do not include any medical or health information in this email.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetics or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified candidates are given equal opportunity and the Company’s employment selection decisions are based solely on job-related factors.