Senior HR Specialist - Employee & Labor Relations

Sr. Employee & Labor Relations Specialist

Reporting to the Employee & Labor Relations Manager, the Sr. Employee & Labor Relations Specialist services as a subject matter expert in employee relations, labor contract administration, and workplace investigations. Responsible for independently managing complex employee relations cases, conducting thorough investigations, supporting grievance and disciplinary processes, and ensuring consistent application of policies and procedures. This position plays a key role in fostering and supporting a fair, compliant, and positive workplace culture across the enterprise.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

1. Leads investigative efforts related to employee and labor relations matters, including grievances, compliance concerns, and reports received through whistleblower hotlines or direct HR channels. Serve as a key employee relations partner, engaging HR leadership when necessary to ensure effective use of internal and external resources. Conducts thorough investigations, prepares detailed documentation and case summaries, and provides recommendations to managers and supervisors on a range of workplace issues, including conflict resolution, performance management, corrective actions, grievances, progressive discipline, and terminations. Ensures fair, consistent, and compliant outcomes aligned with applicable law and enterprise policies.

2. Provides advice and guidance to department leaders on employment best practices, company policies, and employment laws. Responds to employee concerns and allegations of misconduct, including discrimination and harassment, or company policies violations, by conducting timely internal investigations independently or in collaboration with department leadership, HR, legal, and other stakeholders. Summarizes findings and recommends appropriate course of action to mitigate risk and ensure compliance.

3. Collects, tracks, and analyzes employee and labor relations data to identify trends, root causes, and areas of concern. Prepares reports and dashboards to inform HR leadership of key metrics related to investigations, grievances, disciplinary actions, and workplace climate. Uses data insights to recommend proactive strategies to support compliance, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement in employee and labor relations practices.

4. Acts as a subject matter on collective bargaining agreements (CBA), supporting all steps of the grievance process in partnership with HR Leadership. Assists in labor and contract negotiations by providing research, documentation, and strategic input to ensure alignment with enterprise goals.

5. Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department.

Education, Experience And Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Psychology or related field is required.
• Minimum six (6) years of broad Human Resources experience with at least four (4) years direct experience in employee and labor relations within an organization of 1000 or more team members is required. Experience working in Tribal Government and Casino Hospitality, specifically Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is preferred.
• Related, relevant, and/or direct experience may be considered in lieu of minimum educational requirements indicated above.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities (Ksa)

• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Advanced understanding and knowledge of employee relations, labor relations, and employment law.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct confidential investigations on critical employee relations matters and present findings and recommendations to Human Resources.
• Strong investigative, problem solving, conflict resolution, and analytical skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with a high level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain objectivity when working with team member situations without getting too emotionally invested or divested.
• Exhibit diplomacy and acts as settling influence to defuse tensions.
• Able to shift gears easily and comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.
• Works to establish personal rapport with internal clients, is easy to approach, and acts with sensitivity and patience with the interpersonal anxieties of others.

Licenses, Certifications And Registrations

• At the discretion of the San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission, you may be required to obtain and maintain a gaming license.
• Certification as a Professional Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) or Global Professional Human Resources (GPHR) desired.
• Driving Responsibilities: Role requires regular commuting between locations. A valid driver's license and vehicle insurance with minimum liability limits is required. Role will not operate or drive Tribe-owned vehicles or patron vehicles.

Physical Requirements/ Working Conditions Environment

The physical demands and working environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters and must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Primary work environment is in a climate-controlled office setting.
• Work requires travel to attend meetings, trade shows, and conferences.
• Incumbents may be required to work evening, weekend and holiday shifts.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
• Strength sufficient to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects and/or move up to 40 pounds occasionally.
• Sedentary work: involves sitting most of the time. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Physical activities that apply to the essential functions of the position are balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Hearing sufficient to hear conversational levels in person, via videoconference and over the telephone.
• Speech sufficient to make oneself heard and understood in person, in front of groups, in meetings, via videoconference and over the telephone.
• Visual acuity that meets the requirements of the position: The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; expansive reading and visual inspection of employees, visitors or facility.
• Mobility sufficient to safely move in an office environment, walk, stoop, bend and kneel, and enter, exit and operate a motor vehicle in the course of travel to promotional events, meetings, conferences, trade shows and San Manuel properties.
• Endurance sufficient to sit, walk and stand for extended periods, and maintain efficiency throughout the entire work shift and during extended work hours.
• The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles including secondhand smoke.

Reasonable accommodation will be made in compliance with all applicable law.

As one of the largest private employers in the Inland Empire, San Manuel deeply cares about the future, growth and well-being of its employees. Join our team today!