Employee Relations Lead

About the role

When you join Hines, you will embark on a career journey fueled by vision and guided by leaders who set the standards of our industry. Our legacy is rooted in innovation and excellence, earning us a spot on Fast Company’s esteemed annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, as well as recognition as one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Companies to Work For in 2024. Discover endless opportunities to grow and make your mark at Hines.

Across 29 countries, more than 4,600 colleagues bring different perspectives and expertise to Hines, with opportunities to take on meaningful responsibility, learn from leaders across the business, and build a career with room to evolve. We support that journey through professional development, competitive rewards, comprehensive benefits, and a culture grounded in trust and high standards. Hines is proud to be named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2024.

Responsibilities

• Own and coordinate assigned employee relations cases from intake through resolution, including documenting concerns, assessing urgency and risk, setting a response plan, tracking actions, and communicating next steps to appropriate stakeholders.
• Advise managers and HR Business Partners on performance management, conduct, workplace conflict, corrective action, policy interpretation, and consistent treatment across the employee lifecycle.
• Plan and conduct impartial, thorough, and timely workplace investigations. Gather and assess relevant information, maintain clear and objective documentation, reach evidence-based findings, and recommend practical corrective or preventive action.
• Escalate matters involving significant legal, safety, reputational, executive, or employee-relations risk; partner with Legal and other appropriate teams on litigation holds, mediations, arbitrations, and document requests.
• Maintain accurate and timely records in the ER case-management system. Support effective use of NAVEX (or comparable platform), including case data quality, reporting, and process consistency.
• Administer severance matters in accordance with policy and approval requirements. Assess eligibility, prepare agreements and supporting materials, coordinate approvals and payment steps, and monitor spending against program requirements.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and HR centers of expertise, including Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Benefits, Payroll, HRIS, and Learning and Development, to resolve cross-functional issues and implement people programs.
• Draft, review, and update ER and HR policies, procedures, manager guidance, training materials, and employee communications. Identify opportunities to simplify and strengthen ER processes.
• Deliver or support training and manager education on topics such as performance management, respectful workplace expectations, investigations, and policy application.
• Prepare recurring and