NRG Energy

Sr. Manager, Employee Relations

NRG Energy • $110K — $130K *
Houston, TX 77084In-Person
Business Services
8 - 10 years of experience
Yesterday
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in HR or related field; Master's preferred.
  • 8+ years of progressive HR or Employee Relations experience.
  • 3+ years managing employee relations programs or case management preferred.
  • Experience conducting workplace investigations.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor a team of Employee Relations Specialists.
  • Establish and enforce employee relations service standards and protocols.
  • Manage Tier 1 and Tier 2 employee relations case activities.
  • Review and resolve complex or high-risk employee relations matters.
  • Analyze employee relations data for insights and reporting.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work environment with flexible in-office days.
  • Opportunity to influence company culture and employee engagement initiatives.
  • Professional development through complex case management and leadership.
  • Exposure to cross-functional collaboration with different departments, including Legal and Compliance.
  • Travel opportunities for project-related commitments.
Full Job Description
The Senior Manager, Employee Relations leads the centralized Employee Relations function and is responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of Tier 1 and Tier 2 employee relations services. This role ensures the consistent, fair, and compliant management of workplace concerns while delivering a positive employee and manager experience.

The Senior Manager provides leadership to Employee Relations Specialists, oversees employee relations case management activities, develops reporting and analytics, and partners closely with Enterprise Investigations, Talent Business Partners, Legal, Compliance, Labor Relations, and Business Leaders to ensure appropriate handling of workplace concerns. The role serves as the primary HR Shared Services leader for employee relations operations, continuous improvement, trend analysis, and executive-level reporting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Employee Relations Leadership
  • Lead, develop, and coach a team of Employee Relations Specialists.
  • Establish service standards, quality expectations, and case management protocols.
  • Ensure consistent application of company policies, procedures, and employee relations practices.
  • Provide guidance and support on complex employee relations matters.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, confidentiality, and customer service.


Employee Relations Operations
  • Oversee Tier 1 & 2 employee relations case management activities.
  • Monitor intake, triage, case assignments, escalations, and resolution processes.
  • Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant case documentation.
  • Review complex, sensitive, or high-risk employee relations matters.
  • Act as final escalation point for Tier 1 & 2 employee relations concerns.
  • Support implementation of corrective actions and workplace resolutions.


Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Partner closely with Enterprise Investigations regarding Tier 3 investigations and escalations.
  • Coordinate with Legal, Compliance, Labor Relations, Ethics, and HR leadership on sensitive matters.
  • Ensure effective transitions and communication between ER and investigation teams.
  • Participate in findings reviews and action planning discussions for significant matters.
  • Support enterprise-wide initiatives related to workplace conduct, policy compliance, and organizational culture.


Data Analytics and Executive Reporting
  • Develop and maintain employee relations dashboards and reporting.
  • Monitor and analyze:
    • Case volume
    • Case aging
    • Investigation outcomes
    • Allegation categories
    • Escalation trends
    • Business unit trends
    • Root cause indicators
  • Partner with Enterprise Investigations to consolidate Tier 2 and Tier 3 reporting.
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for HR leadership and executive stakeholders.
  • Present trends, insights, and recommendations to senior leaders.
  • Identify opportunities to reduce case volume and improve organizational effectiveness through data-driven decision-making.


Governance and Continuous Improvement
  • Develop and maintain employee relations procedures, standards, templates, and playbooks.
  • Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable employment laws.
  • Lead employee relations process improvement initiatives.
  • Recommend technology, workflow, and reporting enhancements.
  • Support optimization of ServiceNow HRSD and employee relations case management processes.
  • Develop training and resources that improve manager capability and reduce recurring employee relations issues.


Minimum Qualifications
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Psychology, or a related field.
  • Master's degree preferred.

Certifications Preferred
  • SHRM-SCP
  • SPHR


Experience Requirements
  • 8+ years of progressive Human Resources or Employee Relations experience.
  • 3+ years managing employee relations programs, investigations, or case management functions, preferred
  • Prior leadership experience managing Human Resources professionals.
  • Experience conducting or overseeing workplace investigations.
  • Experience working within a centralized HR Shared Services environment, preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience presenting information and recommendations to senior leadership.
  • Experience leveraging workforce and/or employee relations analytics to drive decisions.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook


Knowledge and Skills

Employee Relations Expertise
  • Employee Relations Case Management
  • Workplace Investigations
  • Policy Interpretation
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Corrective Action Administration
  • Employment Law Fundamentals


Leadership Competencies
  • Team Leadership and Development
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Influence and Negotiation
  • Project & Change Management
  • Decision Making and Judgment


Technical and Analytical Competencies
  • Workforce Analytics
  • Data Interpretation
  • Trend Analysis
  • Executive Reporting
  • Proficiency with the Microsoft suite including CoPilot


Working Conditions
  • Hybrid (Mon-Thurs) In Office, Houston or Lehi
  • Open office environment
  • Willingness to work outside normal business hours as necessary, especilly during critical issue resolution and to achieve project milestones
  • Travel up to 20% is required

About NRG Energy

NRG is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. Whether as the largest solar power developer in the country or by giving customers the latest tools to better manage their energy use, NRG is a pioneer in developing smarter energy choices. Our diverse power generating facilities have a capacity of about 52,000 megawatts, capable of supporting almost 42 million homes. Our retail electricity providers — Reliant and Energy Plus — and thermal energy division serve nearly 3 million residential, business, commercial and industrial customers. A Fortune 250 company, NRG supports clean energy resources and technologies critical to our transition to a sustainable, low carbon society. We built the nation's first privately-funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure and continue to create new, clean energy solutions for our customers. In addition to our environmental efforts, we actively contribute to the local communities where NRG employees live and work. Since 2004, our Global Giving program has provided millions of dollars to organizations and charities that have a direct impact on the lives of the people in our communities, including food banks and those that foster self-sufficiency, improve housing and provide supplemental education to people in need. NRG has also organized special responses for victims of extreme catastrophe, such as the Haitian earthquake and the Japanese tsunami in 2010. Employee donations were tripled to maximize the contributions. NRG has won numerous awards for industry leadership and many of its nationwide econrg initiatives, which are targeted toward meeting the challenges of climate change, clean air and natural resources protection.

NRG Energy Careers

Join the vibrant team at NRG Energy, a leader in the power and energy sector, and contribute to a sustainable future while advancing your career. At NRG Energy, we are committed to innovation, leadership, and diversity, ensuring a dynamic workplace where growth and opportunity are at the forefront.

Work You’ll Do

At NRG Energy, you’ll engage in meaningful work that powers communities and fosters environmental stewardship. Our team of professionals is dedicated to leading the energy sector through cutting-edge innovation and sustainable practices. By joining us, you help shape the future of energy, leveraging your skills to make a significant impact.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, NRG Energy offers a range of job opportunities and internships that will harness your potential and polish your skills. Our positions span from technical roles in energy management to leadership tracks in corporate functions. Each role is crucial in driving our mission of a sustainable energy future.

Career Development and Benefits

NRG Energy is deeply invested in the professional growth of its employees. We offer robust career development programs, including leadership training, professional networking opportunities, and diversity training. Our benefits package is designed to support the well-being and financial security of our team members and their families, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Culture of Innovation and Diversity

Our company culture celebrates diversity, encourages innovation, and fosters a collaborative environment. At NRG Energy, you’ll work alongside a diverse team of experts, each bringing unique perspectives that drive our success. We believe that inclusive teamwork and innovative thinking are the keys to our continued growth and leadership in the energy sector.

Join Our Team

Embark on a rewarding career path at NRG Energy by exploring our current hiring opportunities. Tailor your job search to match your career aspirations and skills. Prepare your resume, ace the interview, and join a team that’s committed to making a difference.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest from NRG Energy: - **Career Insights**: Gain industry-leading insights and read about the latest trends in the energy sector on our careers blog. - **Job Alert Emails**: Customize your subscription to receive job alerts and insider tips that align with your career preferences. At NRG Energy, your career is more than a job—it’s a journey of growth, learning, and leadership. Join us in powering the world’s energy future while building a promising career for yourself. Explore opportunities, embrace our culture, and be part of our mission to lead the energy transition.

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Learn more about NRG Energy
Size
6,635 employees
Market Cap
$7.4 billion
Industry
Energy & Utilities
Net Income
$510 million
Founded
1989
5 Year Trend
+24.8%
Revenue
$9 billion
NASDAQ
NRG
* Ladders Estimates

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