Job DescriptionJob SummaryThe Director of Employee Relations leads Camden's employee relations function, providing strategic direction and oversight across the organization. This role leads the Employee Relations team; manages complex and sensitive employment matters; advises leaders and employees on policy application; oversees investigations and employment-related claims; and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.
The Director partners with Human Resources and business leaders, internal stakeholders, and external counsel to identify and mitigate employment risk, strengthen organizational practices, and promote fair and consistent treatment of employees. The position operates independently and exercises sound judgment consistent with Camden's policies, legal requirements, and values.
Essential Functions- Lead, coach, and develop the Employee Relations team to ensure consistent, timely, and high-quality support across the organization.
- Provide strategic guidance on employee relations matters, including policy development and governance, performance management, corrective action, workplace conflict, and separations.
- Oversee and conduct complex workplace investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, policy violations, and other sensitive employment concerns.
- Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and promote fair, consistent, and equitable decision-making.
- Manage employment-related agency charges, complaints, audits, subpoenas, regulatory inquiries, litigation, claims, hearings, mediations, and related legal matters in partnership with internal stakeholders and both internal and external counsel.
- Oversee employee relations risk-management practices, including separation documentation, releases, arbitration agreements, unemployment claims, hotline matters, and escalated pre-employment screening decisions.
- Develop and execute employee relations strategies and programs that reduce organizational risk, strengthen workplace culture, and promote fair and consistent employment practices.
- Prepare and present recommendations on employee relations, employment risk, policy, and related Human Resources matters to senior leadership.
- Develop and deliver employee relations training, tools, and guidance for leaders, managers, Human Resources partners, and employees.
- Analyze employee relations cases, hotline matters, investigation findings, exit interview feedback, and other workforce data to identify trends, reduce risk, and recommend practical solutions.
- Partner with Human Resources and business leaders to address workplace concerns, improve the employee experience, support retention, and advance consistent employment practices.
- Provide employee relations and employment-law guidance in support of reorganizations, reductions in force, acquisitions, dispositions, and other organizational change initiatives.
- Maintain current knowledge of employment laws, regulatory requirements, emerging trends, and best practices in employee relations and fair employment standards.
- Handle highly sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism, sound judgment, discretion, and appropriate safeguards for personnel, investigation, legal, and company information.
- Participate in cross-functional initiatives, organizational projects, and special assignments as needed.
Requirements- Bachelor's degree required (preferably in Human Resources or a related field); Juris Doctor or advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of eight years of progressive Human Resources or employee relations experience, including complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, employment claims, and employment-law compliance.
- Five years of people-management experience with demonstrated success leading, coaching, and developing employees.
- Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, fair employment practices, and employee relations best practices.
- Experience managing sensitive, high-risk workplace investigations, agency charges, litigation, mediations, hearings, and related legal or regulatory matters.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk-assessment skills, with the ability to evaluate complex information and recommend practical, business-aligned solutions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence decisions and provide credible guidance to employees, managers, senior leaders, Human Resources partners, and external counsel.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, effectively managing competing priorities, urgent and evolving situations, and complex employee relations and employment matters while exercising sound judgment, adaptability, professionalism, discretion, confidentiality, and effective problem-solving.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to effectively use Human Resources, case-management, documentation, and reporting systems.
And here's the fine print HR wants you to know:- Job is intermittently sedentary but requires mobility (i.e., climb stairs)
- Uses repetitive hand and wrist motion when working on a computer and writing
- Works in a typical office setting
- May require extended or irregular hours, including weekends
- Requires periodic automobile travel for work-related activities
- May require air travel and out-of-town or overnight trips
- Attendance and punctuality is essential for success in this position
- Hazards can be minimized with proper lifting techniques, SDS, general safety training, and wearing appropriate PPE
- Contact your HR team for the position's Physical Demands Analysis
This job description is not an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. Camden may add or change responsibilities in order to meet business and organizational needs. Employees must meet qualification standards that are job-related and consistent with business necessity and must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
To learn more about our awesome Benefits, visit Camden Benefits.
