Employee Relations Specialist - Senior Living

Job Description

Job Description

Pay $90,000 - $110,000/year

**This is a remote position**

As a leader in the senior housing industry since 1984, GRACE MANAGEMENT, INC. manages and markets seniors housing in multiple states and is headquartered in Maple Grove, MN.

About Grace Management, Inc.
Grace Management, Inc. is a national leader in senior living, managing communities across the country that offer independent living, assisted living, and memory care. We’re proud to foster a people-centered culture rooted in compassion, connection, and service. At Grace, you’re more than an employee — you’re part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents and their families every day.

Why Grace Management? 

Our tagline says it all: It’s not like home. It is home. We’re a mission-driven company dedicated to creating meaningful experiences for residents, families, and team members — and we’re looking for someone who can help bring that story to life in a bold and innovative way. We believe the quality of our communities starts with the people who support them, which is why we’re committed to help nurture a strong sense of belonging and professional growth.  

Full-time benefits include:

• PTO (Paid Time Off) and Holiday Pay : Take advantage of paid time off to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Daily pay : Get paid daily, providing you with financial flexibility and control over your earnings.
• Health/Dental Insurance
• 401K with employer match : Plan for your financial future with our 401k program.
• Life Insurance : Company paid life insurance
• Short and long-term disability : Financial security while you recover from an injury that puts you out of work
• Referral Bonuses : Refer qualified candidates and earn rewards
• Tuition Reimbursement : Invest in your education with our support
• Employee Assistance Program : Connecting our employees with resources for handling personal challenges

The Employee Relations Specialist supports the organization in maintaining a positive, respectful, and productive work environment by providing day-to-day employee relations support to leaders and associates. This position assists with employee concerns, workplace investigations, performance management, policy interpretation, and conflict resolution while ensuring consistent and fair application of company policies and employment practices.

The Employee Relations Specialist serves as a trusted resource to managers and associates, helping to identify and resolve workplace issues proactively and effectively. This role works closely with the Director of Employee Relations on complex, sensitive, and higher-risk matters and provides support with ER initiatives, reporting, training, and compliance

Essential Responsibilities

Employee Relations

• Serve as first line resource for routine ER matters and provide guidance to managers and associates.
• Respond to employee concerns and complaints in a timely, professional, and confidential manner.
• Assist managers with addressing workplace conflict, performance concerns, attendance issues, conduct concerns, and policy violations.
• Serve as a quality checkpoint for manager authored documentation, corrective actions and PIP’s.
• Provide guidance regarding company policies, procedures, and consistent application of employment practices.
• Identify trends and recurring employee relations issues and bring recommendations to the Director of Employee Relations.
• Promote a positive workplace culture consistent with the organization's mission and values.

Investigations

• Conduct or assist with workplace investigations involving complaints of misconduct, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, policy violations, and other employee concerns.
• Conduct interviews, gather relevant information and documentation, and prepare clear and objective investigation summaries.
• Maintain appropriate documentation throughout the investigation process.
• Escalate complex, sensitive, or potentially high-risk matters to the Director of Employee Relations and/or appropriate leadership.
• Assist with determining appropriate corrective action based on investigation findings and company policy.

Performance Management

• Coach managers on effective performance management, including documentation, counseling, corrective action, and performance improvement plans.
• Review disciplinary documentation for consistency, completeness, and compliance with company practices.
• Assist managers in developing appropriate performance expectations and action plans.
• Monitor employee relations cases and follow up to ensure appropriate resolution.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Assist with ensuring employee relations practices are consistent with federal, state, and local employment laws and company policies.
• Support the Director of Employee Relations with responses to agency charges, employee complaints, unemployment matters, and other employment-related inquiries, as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and confidential ER case records.
• Track employee relations cases and prepare reports and metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain awareness of changing employment laws and HR best practices.

Manager Support & Training

• Provide coaching and guidance to managers on effective communication, conflict resolution, documentation, and handling difficult employee situations.
• Develop and deliver or assist with employee relations training for leaders and managers.
• Partner with HR team members to ensure consistent handling of employee matters.
• Provide resources and tools to help managers effectively address workplace concerns.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support employee relations projects, initiatives, and process improvements.
• Participate in HR audits and reviews related to employee relations.
• Assist with development and refinement of HR policies and procedures.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding employee and company information.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 3–5 years of progressive HR experience, with demonstrated experience in employee relations.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and handling sensitive employee matters.
• Strong knowledge of employee relations practices and employment laws.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and credibility with employees and leaders at all levels.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple cases and priorities simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HRIS systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• PHR, SHRM-CP, or other HR certification.
• Experience in a multi-state organization.
• Experience in senior living, healthcare, hospitality, or another highly regulated service environment.
• Experience working with a distributed workforce and supporting leaders remotely.