Manager of People Relations

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations, leave and accommodation matters across retail stores, program sites, and administrative departments.
• Conduct fair, thorough, and timely investigations into workplace concerns, including conduct issues, performance matters, policy violations, and complaints.
• Provide coaching and guidance to managers and supervisors on conflict resolution, performance management, and effective communication.
• Partner with People & Culture leadership to ensure consistent application of policies and practices across all business lines.

Policies, Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as internal policies and collective bargaining agreements (where applicable).
• Identify trends in employee relations issues and recommend proactive solutions, training, or policy updates.
• Maintain accurate documentation and case management records to support transparency and organizational learning.

Leave & Accommodation Management

• Oversee the administration of employee leave and workplace accommodation programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (including FMLA, ADA, and applicable paid leave laws).
• Manage the end-to-end process for leave requests and accommodations, partnering with employees, managers, and external vendors to ensure timely, consistent, and empathetic support.
• Monitor trends, ensure policy adherence, and drive process improvements to enhance the employee experience and operational efficiency.

Culture, Engagement & Mission Alignment

• Promote a people-centered, mission-driven culture that reflects Goodwill’s values of respect, integrity, learning, and community impact.
• Support initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, belonging, and trust across a geographically dispersed workforce.
• Help managers connect day-to-day decisions to Goodwill’s mission and the needs of the individuals and communities we serve.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Build strong relationships with leaders in retail operations, mission services programs, and administrative departments.
• Understand the unique needs of each business line—fast-paced retail environments, compliance-driven social services, and office-based functions—and tailor guidance accordingly.
• Serve as a thought partner in shaping a consistent, equitable staff experience across all Goodwill NYNJ locations.