Director, Employee Relations

The Director of Employee Relations is the enterprise leader responsible for shaping and advancing Equinox’s employee relations strategy across Club and Corporate populations. This role operates as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, stewarding complex investigations, high-risk matters, and proactive culture initiatives.

Investigations & Regulatory Oversight

• Oversee and lead high-risk, complex, and enterprise-level workplace investigations.
• Establish investigative standards, documentation protocols, and governance processes.
• Partner with Legal as enterprise lead for Department of Labor and regulatory agency matters.
• Ensure grievances are resolved efficiently, sensitively, and without prejudice.

Leadership, Engagement & Organizational Culture

• Build and lead a high-performing, lean Employee Relations function, establishing scalable systems that allow the team to deliver enterprise-wide impact.
• Lead through others by developing Employee Relations specialists and People & Culture Business Partners to effectively manage workplace matters and elevate investigative capability.
• Create frameworks that enable People & Culture Business Partners, managers, and field leaders to confidently address employee matters while strengthening leadership accountability.
• Own and evolve employee engagement initiatives tied to recognition, milestones, and culture across club and corporate populations.
• Design and manage enterprise milestone and recognition programs that celebrate tenure, career progression, and meaningful employee contributions.
• Partner with People & Culture leadership, Learning & Development, and Communications to ensure engagement initiatives reinforce cultural priorities.
• Leverage engagement metrics, employee feedback, and retention data to continuously improve recognition strategies and employee connection.

Strategic Partnership & Influence

• Partner cross-functionally with People & Culture Business Partners, Legal, Compliance, Operations, and Executive Leadership.
• Influence leaders at all levels to ensure equitable and compliant decision-making.
• Collaborate with external counsel and consultants when required.

Data, Risk & Continuous Improvement

• Leverage ER metrics and workforce data to identify trends and recommend preventive strategies.
• Build dashboards and reporting mechanisms for executive visibility into ER risk and case trends.
• Implement scalable systems that improve efficiency, transparency, and documentation consistency.

Confidentiality & Integrity

• Maintain the highest standards of discretion, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Model unbiased, culturally aware, and high-integrity conduct that builds trust across all employee populations.

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of progressive HR experience with 6+ years focused in Employee Relations leadership.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex investigations across multi-state or enterprise environments.
• Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws; union experience preferred.
• Experience operating successfully within a matrixed, multi-location organization.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior leaders and navigate sensitive situations.
• Data-driven mindset with experience using metrics to drive proactive solutions.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources, or related field preferred; advanced degree a plus.

Pay

Min $180k- Max $210k