Senior Employee Relations Specialist

Job Summary

Serves as a senior advisor and subject matter expert on employee relations. This includes complex performance management, discipline, and formal investigations or complaints. This role is responsible for providing guidance on sensitive or high-risk issues with a people-centric focus, while also ensuring clear adherence to policy and employment law. Works independently to handle the most complex and sensitive employee relations matters. Provides mentorship to other employee relations specialists. Collaborates with HR Business Partners to analyze trends and recommend preventive measures or interventions. Takes initiative in identifying and implementing process improvements, provides input on policy and program development, and ensures consistency in approach to support a positive workforce culture.

Essential Functions

• Employee Relations & Investigations

  • Serves as a senior advisor and subject matter expert on employee relations. This includes complex performance management, discipline, and formal investigations or complaints.
  • Maintains complete, accurate, and timely case documentation in accordance with established standards.
  • Reviews and approves moderate to complex corrective actions/ Accountability Based Performance (ABP) and Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) and provides guidance to support appropriate and consistent application.
  • Provides advanced consultation to leaders on complex, sensitive, and high-risk employee relations matters.
  • Takes initiative in identifying and implementing process improvements, provides input on policy and program development, and ensures consistency in approach to support a positive workforce culture.

• Performance Management & Training

  • Coaches leaders through complex performance management situations.
  • Develops and facilitates training related to employee relations and performance management.
  • Develops and recommends performance management tools and resources to support consistent practices.
  • Maintains performance management practices and identifies opportunities to improve consistency and effectiveness.
  • Analyzes performance management trends to identify recurring or broader employee relations concerns.
  • Recommends approaches to address performance management and employee relations concerns and partners with HRBPs when broader leadership, team, or organizational intervention may be needed.

• Program Administration & Compliance

  • Coordinates program implementation and evaluation and recommends improvements based on outcomes.
  • Collaborates with the leave of absence team to support complex leave and accommodation cases.
  • Identifies and recommends opportunities for program improvement or development and coordinates related documentation and metrics.
  • Partners with HRBPs to address employee relations trends and concerns that may require broader leadership, team, or organizational intervention.

• Employee Relations Consultation & Partnership

  • Provides advanced policy interpretation and guidance to employees and leaders.
  • Develops and reviews employee relations documentation for complex or sensitive situations.
  • Provides employee relations education and guidance as part of new leader onboarding.
  • Identifies process improvement opportunities and coordinates implementation of approved improvements.
  • Provides employee relations expertise and consultation to support organizational change initiatives.
  • Mentors less experienced team members and serves as a resource on complex employee relations matters.
  • Serves as a subject matter resource on employee relations practices and recommends improvements based on emerging needs, trends, and best practices.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor degree or equivalent experience in Human Resources, Business, or related field preferred.
• Required Work Experience: 7-9 years Progressive Human Resources experience with significant employee relations focus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Expert knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.
• Proven track record of successful complex investigations.
• Strong organization, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Intermediate level of public speaking and facilitator skills to speak effectively and persuasively on matters of interest to employees and serves as facilitator on employee focus groups.
• Microsoft Office proficiency.

Salary & Benefits

$80,900.00 - $125,400.00 / yr
Benefits: Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
Comprehensive health coverage
Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
Tuition reimbursement & assistance
Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation. As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year. Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer. Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.