Senior Manager, Employee Relations

Company Description

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Who We Are

We believe collaboration thrives in person. That’s why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it’s needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes.

Job Description

Your Career

As a Senior Manager, Employee Relations, you will be an integral part of the People team community, part of a team of Employee Relations (ER) professionals who specialize in preventing and resolving workplace issues that interfere with our positive workplace environment and culture. We are dedicated to providing a workplace that is safe, respectful, and empowers every employee to achieve their personal best.

In this role, you will use your experience and knowledge of applicable policies, regulations, and industry best practices to establish and follow appropriate protocol for employee relations issues and investigations within the Americas region. As a thought leader in this area, you will also have the opportunity to develop and deliver enablement to help create a workplace free from behavioral issues and distractions.

We are looking for an experienced leader and innovative HR/ER professional with a passion for coaching employees and managers.  You should be comfortable working with all levels of employee, and have a knack for reading situations and finding creative solutions to people-related challenges. 

This is an in office role 3 days/week in our HQ, Santa Clara, CA

Your Impact

• Lead a small team of ER Partners in the Americas regions, responsible for coaching and mentoring team members to build their capacity in handling ER matters effectively. 

• Provide strategic guidance to leaders and PBPs on sensitive employee relations matters including performance management, involuntary exits, interpersonal conflicts, leaves, and accommodations. Tailor strategy to the complexity, risk and sensitivity of the case.

• Drive restructuring initiatives in collaboration with stakeholders, ensuring effective communication, mitigated risk, and comprehensive support for leaders and employees throughout the process.

• Conduct investigations into complex and nuanced employment matters. Partner with PBPs, Legal and other parties to adhere to investigative best practices, reaching the optimal outcomes for our organization and employees.

• Use HR analytics and data to identify trends, diagnose issues and make data-driven recommendations to the leadership team and People team colleagues. 

• Balance strategic thinking with technical expertise, compassion, and a commitment to acting with integrity.

• With the support of the Global Head of Employee Relations, assist in defining and executing on the ER strategy for the Americas, ensuring ER practices and processes support PANW’s organizational objective and culture.

• Lead, and contribute to, ER projects as necessary.

• Act as an advocate for equitable and fair treatment; ensure our practices continue to align to our company’s core values: Disrupt. Execute. Inclusion. Collaboration. Integrity.

Qualifications

Your Experience 

• 8 plus years of employee relations experience gained in either a PBP or ER role, or equivalent experience as an employment attorney practicing employment law.

• Experience leading, managing, and scaling teams.

• Extensive practical experience advising on a wide range of sensitive and complex employee relations issues, including performance management, involuntary exits, interpersonal conflicts, investigations, and leaves/accommodations.

• Demonstrated experience executing on change management programs and restructures, with the ability to balance the efficient project-management of complex processes with empathy and care.

• Track record of effectively coaching leaders to action in sensitive or ambiguous situations, and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with maturity, discretion and professionalism.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong emotional intelligence, and the ability to build trust, rapport and influence across all levels of the company.

• Strong understanding