Job DescriptionEmployee Relations PartnerThis role can sit in Wilmington, De, Jacksonville, FL or Orlando, FL
The Employee Relations Partner serves as a subject matter expert and strategic advisor on employee relations matters across Nemours Children's Health. This role partners closely with HR Business Partners, leaders, Legal, and Compliance to manage workplace concerns, conduct investigations, mitigate organizational risk, and promote fair, consistent, and values-based employment practices. The Employee Relations Partner supports a Just Culture environment by ensuring concerns are addressed promptly, objectively, and in alignment with organizational policy and regulatory requirements.
This role reports to the Vice President, HR Business Partners and works collaboratively across HR Centers of Excellence, Compliance, and Legal. The role utilizes HR Acuity case management tools and standardized investigation protocols to ensure thorough documentation, trend analysis, and risk mitigation.
Essential FunctionsEmployee Relations Case Management
- Serve as the primary HR lead on complex employee relations matters including complaints, investigations, policy violations, workplace conflicts, and misconduct allegations.
- Conduct prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations, including interviews, documentation review, and findings summaries.
- Utilize HR Acuity case management system to intake, document, track, and manage employee relations cases from initiation through resolution.
- Ensure case documentation meets legal, regulatory, and organizational standards.
Risk Mitigation & Compliance Partnership
- Partner closely with Legal and Compliance to assess risk exposure and determine appropriate corrective actions and resolution strategies.
- Identify patterns and trends in employee relations data to proactively mitigate organizational risk.
- Provide recommendations that balance fairness, consistency, operational needs, and legal compliance.
- Ensure adherence to employment law, regulatory requirements, and Nemours policies and standards.
Leader & HRBP Consultation
- Advise leaders and HR Business Partners on employee relations strategy, performance management actions, and corrective action decisions.
- Provide coaching to leaders on conflict resolution, documentation practices, and appropriate handling of workplace concerns.
- Support separation decisions and high-risk employment actions in partnership with HRBPs and Legal.
- Develop practical, risk-informed options and guide decision-making.
Investigation Excellence & Process Integrity
- Apply standardized investigation methodology and interviewing practices.
- Maintain neutrality and confidentiality throughout the investigation process.
- Prepare clear investigative reports, findings summaries, and recommended actions.
- Support continuous improvement of ER investigation protocols and documentation standards.
Data, Trends & Prevention
- Analyze HR Acuity and ER data to identify systemic issues, recurring themes, and organizational risk indicators.
- Provide regular reporting and insights to HR and enterprise leadership on ER trends and risk areas.
- Partner with HRBPs and COEs to develop preventive strategies, leader education, and policy clarification where trends emerge.
Culture & Workplace Environment
- Reinforce Nemours values, Just Culture principles, and culture of openness and accountability through ER processes and leader coaching.
- Support respectful workplace initiatives and early intervention strategies.
- Promote consistent and equitable treatment across departments and functions.
Requirements- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Healthcare Administration, or related field.
- Minimum 7-10 years of progressive HR experience with significant focus in employee relations and investigations.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex and sensitive workplace investigations.
- Strong knowledge of employment law, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation practices.
- Experience working in partnership with Legal and Compliance functions.
- Experience using HR case management systems; HR Acuity experience strongly preferred.
- Strong interviewing, documentation, and analytical skills.
- Healthcare or highly regulated industry experience.
- Experience in large, multi-site, or matrixed organizations.
