Employee Relations Specialist

Posted 6 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Chicago, IL, USA
Hybrid
110K-120K Annually
Senior level
Artificial Intelligence • Healthtech • Professional Services • Analytics • Consulting
Where passion changes lives
The Role
Lead and conduct complex employee relations investigations, advise leaders and HR partners on conduct and performance issues, analyze trends, develop training and compliance programs, draft communications, and recommend fair, consistent resolutions to minimize legal and reputational risk across a global, matrixed organization.
Summary Generated by Built In
ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Here you'll work side-by-side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life-changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client-first mentality to each and every engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life-changing impact to ZS.
Employee Relations Specialist
ZS' Corporate Support teams power the firm's core internal operations. Our global teams are collaborative, practical, and results oriented, and they thrive in a dynamic, high-performing environment. Although our people bring diverse experiences and perspectives, they share a commitment to exceptional service
The Employee Relations Specialist plays a key role in fostering a positive, respectful, and high-performing workplace by helping leaders and employees navigate complex and sensitive people matters. This role identifies employee relations trends, assesses risk, and partners with HR and other stakeholders to address workplace concerns in a fair, consistent, and well-documented manner. The Employee Relations Specialist leads and supports investigations involving concerns such as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, bullying, hostile work environment, performance and conduct issues, financial misconduct, information security incidents, and inappropriate management practices. This individual also provides guidance on policy interpretation, conflict resolution, corrective action, and other employee relations matters, while helping strengthen programs, processes, manager capability, and compliance training across the firm.
What You'll Do:
  • Lead complex employee relations investigations, including matters involving workplace conduct, financial misconduct, and information security incidents, and support timely, fair, and well-documented resolutions while minimizing legal, reputational, and operational risk to the firm.
  • Conduct intake, assess facts, determine investigation approach, document findings, and prepare clear recommendations and case summaries for key stakeholders.
  • Advise managers, HR partners, and leaders on employee relations matters including performance management, corrective action, policy interpretation, workplace conflict, and conduct concerns.
  • Assess employee relations matters to identify key issues, determine risk exposure, and ensure consistent application of policies, procedures, and employment practices.
  • Apply sound judgment and ensure appropriate consultation and escalation.
  • Facilitate debriefs and provide clear guidance to stakeholders at all levels on sensitive employee relations matters, recommended actions, and investigation outcomes.
  • Draft, review, and support communications related to complaints, disputes, corrective actions, and other sensitive employment matters.
  • Analyze employee relations data and trends, identify themes, recommend processes, policy, or improvements.
  • Develop and deliver training and coaching for leaders and HR partners on employee relations best practices, investigations, documentation, and effective issue resolution.
  • Manage and evolve global compliance training for employee relations and workplace conduct topics, including harassment prevention, POSH, bystander intervention, and California workplace violence prevention training. Own the training strategy and annual calendar, coordinate regional legal and regulatory requirements, partner on vendor and content management, and oversee completion tracking, reporting, and audit readiness.

What You'll Bring:
  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree, JD, or relevant HR certification preferred
  • Approximately 5-8 years of relevant employee relations, HR, workplace investigations, or related experience, ideally in a multinational, matrixed, or professional services environment
  • Significant experience managing sensitive and complex employee relations matters, including workplace conduct, financial misconduct, and information security incidents, with strong documentation, investigative, and recommendation-writing skills
  • Strong knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and workplace investigation practices, including equal employment opportunity, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation considerations
  • Deep understanding of HR policy, employee relations principles, and workplace practices, with the ability to apply them consistently and pragmatically
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to handle sensitive matters clearly, objectively, and professionally
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple cases and competing priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail and quality
  • Proven ability to build trusted relationships with HR business partners and cross-functional stakeholders
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to identify trends and recommend practical solutions
  • Experience managing or supporting global compliance training programs related to workplace conduct and employee relations, including harassment prevention, POSH, bystander intervention, and California workplace violence prevention training
  • Fluency in English
  • Client-first mentality
  • Intense work ethic
  • Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach

How you'll grow:
  • Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways
  • Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities
  • Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution and role expansions

Perks & Benefits:
At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well-being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills-building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you'll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in United States , visit ZS US office locations | Where we work | ZS .
Hybrid working model:
We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections.
Travel:
Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.
Considering applying?
At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems-the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.
If you're eager to grow, contribute, and bring your unique self to our work, we encourage you to apply.
ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.
To complete your application:
Candidates must possess or be able to obtain work authorization for their intended country of employment. An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.
NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.
Find Out More At:
www.zs.com
Salary: $110,000.00 - $120,250.00

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree
  • Advanced degree
  • Juris Doctor (JD)
  • Relevant HR certification
  • 5-8 years of employee relations, HR, workplace investigations, or related experience
  • Experience managing sensitive and complex employee relations matters including workplace conduct, financial misconduct, and information security incidents
  • Strong knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and workplace investigation practices
  • Deep understanding of HR policy, employee relations principles, and workplace practices
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple cases and competing priorities with strong attention to detail
  • Proven ability to build trusted relationships with HR business partners and cross-functional stakeholders
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
  • Experience managing or supporting global compliance training programs (harassment prevention, POSH, bystander intervention, California workplace violence prevention)
  • Fluency in English
  • Client-first mentality
  • Intense work ethic
  • Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach
  • Possess or be able to obtain work authorization for intended country of employment
  • Willingness to travel as needed for client-facing work

What the Team is Saying

Ash Easwar
Suzanne Boyan
Kristina Sambucci
Callum Brazier
Michelle Lu
Mike Vula
Mina Labib
Judith Kulich
Anna Simon
Rachana Late
Bazgha Qutab
Ayush Kataria
Carolina Blanco
Kumar Ritwik
Emily Reynolds
Mahmood Majeed
Mahmood Majeed
Bazgha Qutab
Mahmood Majeed

ZS Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Healthcare Strength Health coverage is described as comprehensive across medical, dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness support. Feedback suggests the health insurance is a standout perk in practice.
  • Parental & Family Support Family‑forming and parental supports are extensive, including up to $95,000 toward fertility and family planning, adoption support, backup care, and milk‑shipping for traveling parents. A U.S. Family Leave Program provides 10 weeks paid leave that can combine with 6 additional paid maternity weeks for birthing parents.
  • Inclusive Benefits Coverage Inclusive coverage explicitly extends to LGBTQIA+ needs with transgender‑inclusive healthcare and dedicated guidance. Feedback suggests these offerings are positioned as industry‑leading alongside robust family‑forming benefits.

ZS Insights

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The Company
HQ: Evanston, IL
15,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1983

What We Do

ZS is a management consulting and technology firm that partners with companies to improve life and how we live it. We transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Founded in 1983, ZS has more than 15,000+ employees in over 40 offices worldwide.

Why Work With Us

ZS is home to passionate people who embrace innovative thinking, collaboration and a client-first mindset. Welcome to a company where new ideas are celebrated, curiosity is welcomed, learning opportunities are abundant and colleagues become lifelong connections.

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About our Teams

ZS Offices

Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

The Flexible & Connected model is our ZS standard. ZSers decide where it makes the most sense for them to work each day given client or teamwork.

Typical time on-site: 3 days a week
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HQEvanston (Global HQ)
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