Director, Employee Relations

Job Description Summary

Responsible for facilitating employee relations and resolving human resources issues on behalf of the company, including workplace safety and comfort, the handling of employee complaints, relocation of employees, employee assistance (e.g., helping employees with medical issues including stress), and the handling of special occasions. Will also advise on contractual issues.

Job Description

The Director of Employee Relations serves as the strategic leader of our Employee Relations function, guiding a team that manages complex employee relations matters and conducts high‑impact investigations. In this role, you will shape and implement policies, processes, and strategies that enhance the employee and manager experience, strengthen organizational culture, reduce risk, and enable business performance.
As a key leader within our centralized, neutral, and insights‑driven center of excellence, you will oversee an integrated employee relations model—bringing together case management, performance and conduct support, investigations, policy governance, and manager enablement into a cohesive, best‑in‑class function.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Employee Relations Leadership

• Serve as the escalation point for complex or high-risk employee relations cases.

• Guide ER managers and supervisors to ensure consistent, compliant, and values-aligned case resolution.

• Partner with senior leaders on sensitive workforce issues and ER strategy.

Strategy and Policy Development

• Develop and execute ER strategies aligned with organizational objectives.

• Establish and maintain policies and frameworks that ensure compliance and consistency.

• Monitor legal and regulatory changes impacting employee relations.

Organizational Capability and Team Leadership

• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing ER team.

• Set performance expectations and hold leaders accountable for outcomes.

• Identify capability gaps and implement development plans.

Business and Operational Management

• Oversee ER operations, metrics, and continuous improvement efforts.

• Ensure effective case management, risk mitigation, and root-cause analysis.

• Manage resources, priorities, and workload distribution.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Balance competing stakeholder needs with fairness and sound judgment.

• Deliver clear, credible guidance on employee relations matters.

• Build trusted relationships across HR, Legal, and business leadership.

• Partner closely with the legal team to ensure Employee Relations policies, practices, and case resolutions are compliant with federal, state, and local employment laws, while proactively mitigating organizational risk.

• Exercise sound judgment to identify and promptly escalate high-risk cases, such as those involving potential discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or significant legal exposure to legal for guidance.

Skills and Competencies

• Uses deep understanding of the business and industry to guide decisions and advance organizational goals.

• Anticipates future needs and creates forward-looking strategies that support long-term success.

• Considers and integrates diverse stakeholder needs to achieve fair, ethical, and effective outcomes.

• Holds self and others accountable for delivering results and meeting commitments.

• Breaks down complex or ambiguous situations to identify clear and practical solutions.

• Plans and prioritizes work to keep teams aligned with strategic objectives.

• Addresses conflict constructively and guides parties toward productive resolution.

• Communicates persuasive, well-reasoned recommendations that influence decisions and outcomes.

• Tailors communication to ensure clarity, understanding, and alignment across audiences.

• Builds strong, collaborative teams that leverage diverse strengths.

• Motivates and engages others to contribute their best toward shared goals.

• Develops talent through coaching, feedback, and meaningful growth opportunities.

• Demonstrates interpersonal awareness and adapts approach to different individuals.

• Adjusts leadership style and tactics in response to changing situations.

• Continuously improves processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Clearly articulates complex information in a way that drives understanding and action.

• Applies expert-level employee relations knowledge to ensure fair, consistent, and compliant outcomes.

• Demonstrates an adaptive mindset and responds creatively to evolving organizational needs.

Education and Experience Requirements

• 10–15+ years of progressive experience in HR or Employee Relations.

• 6–10+ years of people leadership experience.

• Demonstrated expertise in employee relations, investigations, and policy application.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Education

Bachelor’s (Required)

Work Experience

General Experience - More than 15 years

Certifications

Travel

Less than 25%

Workstyle

Hybrid

The total compensation for this position includes base salary or wages, and may include components such as additional compensation (cash or equity), discretionary bonuses, or commissions. This position is eligible for a benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision; life insurance; critical illness insurance and accident insurance; disability benefits; retirement savings; paid time off (including vacation, holidays, and sick leave); and parental leave.  Eligibility for benefits and specific offerings may vary based on position and employment status. To view more details of the benefits offered, visit Myrjbenefits.com.

At Raymond James our associates use five guiding behaviors (Develop, Collaborate, Decide, Deliver, Improve) to deliver on the firm's core values of client-first, integrity, independence and a conservative, long-term view. 
We expect our associates at all levels to:
•  Grow professionally and inspire others to do the same
•  Work with and through others to achieve desired outcomes
•  Make prompt, pragmatic choices and act with the client in mind
•  Take ownership and hold themselves and others accountable for delivering results that matter
•  Contribute to the continuous evolution of the firm

At Raymond James – as part of our people-first culture, we honor, value, and respect the uniqueness, experiences, and backgrounds of all of our Associates.  When associates bring their best authentic selves, our organization, clients, and communities thrive. The Company is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of merit and business needs.