Employee Relations Director

About the role

This role will advance people and talent initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness, leadership capability, and employee experience. You will collaborate with business leaders, HR partners, and cross-functional stakeholders to align workforce priorities with business objectives. The position offers the opportunity to influence culture, talent strategy, and scalable people operations within a Aerospace & Defense environment.

Location: San Jose, CA - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available. Compensation: $204,400 – $255,500 annually.

Responsibilities

• Lead workplace investigations into various employee concerns with impartiality and thoroughness
• Design and improve the company’s workplace investigations program, focusing on efficient case handling
• Capture lessons learned from investigations and use data to drive policy and training updates
• Prepare detailed investigation reports and ensure timely case closures with accurate records
• Collaborate with Legal on investigations and regulatory matters to surface trends and preventive actions
• Develop and maintain employee relations (ER) policies and practices to guide case management
• Advise managers on performance management, conflict resolution, and sensitive people issues

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Employment Law, or related field; Master's degree (MBA, MHRM) or Juris Doctor (JD) preferred
• 10+ years of HR experience, focusing on employee relations and workplace investigations
• Proven track record of leading complex investigations into harassment, discrimination, and workplace misconduct
• Experience in high-growth technology, aerospace, or regulated environments is strongly preferred
• Deep knowledge of federal and California employment law; international law knowledge is a plus
• Proficiency with HRIS and case management tools

Benefits

• Opportunity to shape the workplace culture and employee relations function
• Work closely with senior leaders and various departments, enhancing cross-functional collaboration
• Possibility to influence policy and process improvements based on investigation outcomes
• Participation in a dynamic and rapidly growing organization within technology or regulated sectors
• Flexibility to engage in broader HR generalist work as the role evolves with company needs