Employee Relations Manager

The Employee Relations Manager will play a strategic role in building positive employee relations by fostering open communication, fairness, and engagement. This position will manage simple to complex employee relations matters focusing on compliance with Company policies, multi-state and federal employment laws, and associated regulations. This role will have a direct hand in the architecture of future people practices and policies aimed at driving a positive, thriving, and high performing environment for our Team Members by providing policy development, training, coaching, and process-improvements. This role requires strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, a true passion for people, along with a deep understanding of employment laws and regulations.

What you have already achieved: (Requirements)

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources,  Business Administration, Psychology, Organizational Leadership or a related field. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of. 
• 8+ years progressive, hands-on experience in employee relations, investigations, and compliance roles. 
• Thorough knowledge of multi-state employment-related laws with strong background supporting a non-exempt, geographically dispersed workforce.
• Exceptional investigative and research skills (including interviewing, documentation, and analysis), sound judgement, and a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risk. 
• Ability to make recommendations to effectively resolve emotional and complex problems or issues consistent with standards, practices, policies, procedures, regulation or government law.
• Must have strong conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders across various organizational levels.
• Demonstrated conceptual, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent time management and organization skills, with the proven ability to juggle and reprioritize based on business demands and priorities.
• Self-starter with a high sense of initiative and a proven ability to effectively work in ambiguous environments and support continuous organizational improvement.
• Ability to work autonomously, while remaining aligned with HR strategies and business objectives.
• Prior experience with HRIS systems with proficiency with Google Drive and ADP Workforce Now a plus.
• PHR/SPHR is preferred.

What you are great at: (Responsibilities) 

• Guide Managers on effective leadership, communication, and  people management to prevent issues before they arise.
• Conduct thorough, impartial investigations into employee complaints, misconduct, and grievances focusing on fair resolution and trust-building.
• Mediate disputes, guiding the disciplinary processes as appropriate.
• Ensure investigations are conducted thoroughly, objectively, and in compliance with Company policies and applicable employment laws and that the treatment of Team Members is fair, consistent, respectful and aligned with Company values and policies.
• Proactively and consistently communicate case status and other updates as required.
• Facilitate prompt and effective resolution of workplace concerns through leading and managing complex and sensitive workplace investigations. 
• Apply deep expertise to develop and execute recommendations for appropriate employment actions through collaboration with People Operations Team, Legal, and appropriate business leaders, ensuring consistency and fairness.
• Provide recommendations and assistance on appropriate corrective actions, coaching, discipline, training, or policy changes following investigations.
• Act as a Performance & Development Partner, coaching managers through fair performance improvement processes and any relevant coaching or disciplinary actions. 
• Maintain thorough, detailed records of all complaints and investigations by documenting investigation processes, key findings, timelines, conclusions, and outcomes.
• Analyze case notes and prepare comprehensive executive summaries aimed at supporting decision-making and risk mitigation strategies.
• Train and advise Managers and Team Members on effective employee management, communication, policy application, and legal compliance.
• Prepare and distribute reporting highlighting key metrics such as case closure rates, turnover trends, risk patterns and exit survey insights with associated recommendations and solutions. 
• Conduct audits and assessments to evaluate potential risk areas and recommend improvements to minimize legal exposure.
• Assist with annual engagement surveys and pulse surveys, formulating appropriate response and action plans. 
• Establish and manage stay interviews, exit surveys, pulse surveys, and focus groups to gather authentic employee voice.
• Ensure consistent application of company policies and procedures across all departments.
• Stay current with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations to ensure organizational compliance and conduct regular reviews of the employee handbook and related literature.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions related to handbook policies.
• Collaborate with Senior People Operations Leadership and Legal to ensure policies reflect current legal requirements and risk management considerations.
• Develop job aides and training materials aimed at effective and compliance employee management.
• Manage performance management systems and structures and find opportunities for expansion and improvement. 
• Work with the Experience team to assist with  design and implementation of relevant recognition, wellness, and appreciation programs based on feedback.
• Manage and deploy HR special projects and initiatives as assigned.

What you’re motivated by: 

• Making an impact. Whether it's the residents who call our Thriving Communities home, the investors who trust us to be stewards of their capital,  or the sponsors we work with to 10x their business, everything we do is about making an impact. 
• Challenges. You see roadblocks as opportunities and are proactive in finding solutions. 
• Growth. We’ve been named to the Inc. 5000 as one of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America for thirteen consecutive years. 

Who We Are

What We Do In One Sentence:

We finance the building of Thriving Communities. 

Our Mission:

We are changing the nation through the building of Thriving Communities. We are the leader in funding the building of Thriving Communities centered in safe, attainable housing. 

Our Purpose:

To passionately make an extraordinary impact by transforming lives and building Thriving Communities. 

Our Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal (BHAG):

To positively impact and transform 10 million lives by funding the building of 5,000 Thriving Communities, becoming one of America’s 100 largest private companies.

Our Culture:

• We work hard, marching towards ambitious goals driven by a purpose that’s bigger than ourselves. 
• We are impact-driven, seeking to make a difference not just on the affordable housing crisis but also in the lives of our employees, investors, and partners. 
• We are disciplined, following our exclusive Elite Execution System to develop personally and professionally. 
• We strive to Live Fully, finding fulfillment in all areas of our lives.

Our Core Values:

Driven For Greatness: We are driven by the pursuit of knowledge and the paramount importance of a growth mindset, cultivating greatness both personally and professionally.

Living Fully: We prioritize living fully with a dedication to achieving optimal health in all aspects of life: faith, family, friends, freedom, fun , fulfillment, fitness, and finance.

We are intentional with our time, integrating the 8fs of our life to achieve our goals & God’s goals.

Grit: We have the endurance and unshakable commitment necessary to achieve our visionary long-term goals.

Community: We elevate the greater good over individual interests, magnifying our impact and cultivating thriving relationships with investors, sponsors, residents, and our colleagues.

Authenticity: We are true to ourselves and others, steadfast in our beliefs and values. We hold ourselves and others accountable, fostering open dialogue to propel growth.

Prepared to Win: We apply discipline to our thoughts and our actions, which leads us to put forth consistent effort and commitment doing the important proactive work despite the urgent priorities we face each day. We plan to win, and are prepared for volatility and challenges.

Kingdom Impact: We share God's love and transformative power through our labor, serving everyone in God’s likeness. The world will know God more through our work and how we do it.

Twenty-Mile March: We march towards clear, well-defined goals and objectives with unwavering focus, constantly evaluating our performance and course correcting as needed.

Stewardship: We are guided by our commitments to those who trust us with their capital, their communities, and their careers.

Servant Leadership: We lead with high standards & deep devotion. We display as humble confidence as we build deep relationships and trust. We show the way through the forest, empowering growth, accountability, and a founder’s mentality, with team members regularly asking “What else can I do to achieve the desired results?”

Benefits and Perks:

Unlimited PTO, health/dental/vision/life insurance, 401(k) matching, parental leave, adoption services reimbursement/learning/educational incentives, Volunteer Time Off, well-being programs, company events, self improvement/productivity tools, & the incredible feeling of making a difference.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

DLP is a committed Equal Opportunity Employer. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require assistance in searching for a position or submitting an application, please contact HR at [email protected]. Offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment background verification (including E-Verify). California applicants can view our California Data Privacy Policy here.

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