Director, Employee Relations

About the role

The role is fully remote, with the option to be hybrid (Tuesday and Wednesday in office) for candidates living near CB offices. It is a full-time position.

Responsibilities

• Guide and execute organizational approach to employee relations & risk management
• Serve as the enterprise owner of ER standards, ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance
• Assess and manage elevated employee relations risk across teams
• Create standards for and guide managers through improvement plan processes
• Hold managers accountable to strong execution of performance plans
• Maintain thorough, objective, and timely investigations and resolutions
• Provide expert guidance on disciplinary decisions, policy interpretation, and fair applications
• Act as a neutral third-party mediator in complex interpersonal or team conflicts
• Support infrastructure, talent systems & continuous improvement
• Design and implement standardized frameworks, templates, investigation tools, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms
• Analyze case data, trends, and team-level metrics to surface patterns and present risks and recommendations
• Build manager pre-escalation coaching practices to reduce reactive case volume
• Provide input into performance management, onboarding/offboarding, and talent systems
• Lead special projects to streamline ER case management processes
• Stay current on employment law, regulatory developments, industry benchmarks, and best practices; translate these into organizational policy, training, and manager guidance

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressive experience in employee relations / human resources, including managing complex investigations, performance accountability, and manager advisory on complex issues such as reorganizations
• Expertise in performance management, investigatory best practices, discipline frameworks, and HR policy development
• Advanced, practical knowledge of employment law with the ability to partner effectively with Legal
• Proven ability to effectively analyze data and derive insights that influence leadership decisions

Qualifications

• SPHR or similar credentials a plus
• Ability to travel as needed

Skills

• Expertise in performance management, investigatory best practices, discipline frameworks, and HR policy development
• Advanced, practical knowledge of employment law
• Proven ability to effectively analyze data and derive insights that influence leadership decisions

Benefits

At College Board, we offer a comprehensive package designed to help you thrive. We're a self-sustaining nonprofit that believes in fair and competitive compensation grounded in your qualifications, experience, impact, and the market. Your exact salary will depend on your location, experience, and how your background compares to others in similar roles at the College Board.

Pay

Hiring range: $96,000 - $140,000

Schedule

Full-time, fully remote role with the option to be hybrid (Tuesday and Wednesday in office) for candidates living near CB offices.

About College Board

College Board reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career. We're a mission-driven, not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to excellence in education. Founded 125 years ago, we are committed to clearing a path for all students to own their future. We pioneered programs like the SAT® and AP® to expand opportunities for students and help them develop the skills they need. Our BigFuture® program helps students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers. Learn more at cb.org.

Our Operating Principles

• Prioritize and Simplify – Focus on what matters most, reduce complexity, and move quickly when needed.
• Say and Receive – Give and receive feedback candidly and kindly, welcoming growth and healthy debate.
• Go for Greatness – Pursue excellence using data, iteration, and bold thinking to raise the bar.
• Lead as One – Build a culture of trust, inclusion, and shared responsibility for long-term impact.

What Guides Us

• A mission-driven workplace where your impact matters
• A team that invests in your development and success