Employee Relations Partner

About the role

Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ), a world-renowned education and poverty-fighting organization based in New York, seeks an enthusiastic, dedicated, and mission-aligned Employee Relations Partner to join its Human Resources Department. The Employee Relations Partner will bring a passion for Harlem Children's Zone's mission: breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty with comprehensive, on-the-ground programming that builds opportunities for children and families to thrive in school, work, and life. We are seeking a seasoned Employee Relations Partner to serve as a key partner in fostering a positive and productive workplace culture. In this role, you will take the lead in managing complex employee relations matters, proactively addressing issues, and developing strategies that promote employee engagement, retention, and performance. You will collaborate closely with leadership, providing expert guidance on conflict resolution, performance management, and policy interpretation. This role is critical in shaping a supportive environment that aligns with our organizational values and goals.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees, providing expert counsel on employee relations issues, workplace conflict, and resolution strategies
• Lead workplace investigations involving employee complaints, misconduct, harassment, discrimination, retaliation and policy violations
• Assess investigation findings, identify organizational risk, and provide recommendations for resolution
• Maintain complete and accurate case documentation in accordance with organizational standards
• Facilitate conflict resolution and mediation sessions between employees and managers, fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment
• Partner with leadership to design and implement performance management strategies that align with organizational goals and drive employee engagement
• Coach managers on performance management, corrective actions, and employee relations best practices to promote consistency and reduce organizational risk
• Advise managers on setting clear performance expectations, delivering constructive feedback, and managing underperformance through formal processes such as performance improvement plans (PIPs)
• Analyze performance data and provide actionable insights to senior leadership on trends, improvement areas, and opportunities for development
• Develop and implement employee engagement initiatives to promote a positive workplace culture and improve retention
• Regularly conduct stay interviews and pulse surveys to gauge employee satisfaction, identify areas of concern, and proactively address issues before they escalate
• Collaborate with HR and department heads to design retention strategies tailored to various employee segments, ensuring a supportive and motivating work environment
• Assist in the development, communication, and enforcement of HR policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance and alignment with best practices
• Support accommodation and leave-related interactive processes in partnership with ER, benefits and leadership
• Stay up to date on labor laws and employment regulations, ensuring the organization remains compliant with