HR Manager (Employee Relations)

A little about us… Kidango (kidango.org) is an early learning nonprofit committed to setting every child on a path to thrive in kindergarten and in life. We believe that all children can reach their full potential if they and their families have access to the right opportunities and resources. As the largest child care provider in the San Francisco Bay Area, we provide thousands of children, especially those from low-income families, with safe, healthy, nurturing environments and relationships. Through our policy work, we aim to take our expertise beyond the children and families that we serve, and drive change in early childhood education at the local, state and federal levels. Our goal is to make sure all children have the social, emotional, and academic skills they need to learn, grow and realize their potential.

About The Role

Reporting to the VP, Human Resources, the Employee Relations (ER) Manager is responsible for leading a team of HR Generalists (HRGs) with providing first line HR support and serving as a trusted resource in addressing employee issues and supporting a high performance, fair, and inclusive work environment. The ER Manager provides expert guidance on problem and conflict resolution, disciplinary action processes, and serves as a business partner to the Leadership team in achieving department and organization goals and objectives.

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Leads ER team in managing workplace matters and implementing appropriate resolutions.
• Applies expert knowledge of employment laws, regulations, principles, practices, and techniques of employee relations, workplace violence prevention, conflict and HR management to advise managers and staff.
• Establishes and implements ER related policies, procedures, methods, and guidelines; provides clarity and consistency with processes for staff, management, and partners.
• Manages and tracks workplace investigation quality; ensures investigations are conducted in an accurate, consistent, and timely manner.
• Provides supervision and coaching to HR Generalists with managing ER cases and investigations.
• Conducts workplace investigations into complex cases; prepares investigation summaries.
• Uses conflict resolution/mediation methodologies to resolve employment related disputes.
• Applies coaching methods to support solutions in addressing employee performance or workplace issues.
• Collaborates with HR management and legal counsel on high risk employee relations cases.
• Proposes disciplinary actions related to suspension, paid administrative leave, and terminations; elevates to senior HR management as needed to assess and minimize risk and liability exposure for Kidango.
• Advises leadership on employment law, company policies, investigations, and disciplinary actions.
• Develops and provides training to staff, management, and employees related to ER and performance management.
• Compiles case management and HR system data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Proactively identifies and addresses workplace concerns with problem solving and effective solutions.
• Serves as member of the GROWTH team; leads HR communication; partners with recruitment and leaders to developing strategies for staffing and to retain, develop, and support impacted Kidango staff.
• Leads the evolution and improvement of the framework (process, tools, guides, etc.) for managing internal allegations and claims, conducting and reporting and documenting employee relations investigations.
• Supports the development and implementation of an employee relations strategies that effectively engage and inspires a workforce to deliver their best performance.
• Supports the performance management process, trains and guides managers and employees, ensuring consistent and fair application of performance standards.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 Preferred qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, HR, or related field.
• 5+ years of combined experience in HR including a minimum of three (3) years of ER or employment law experience.
• 2+ years managing a team of employee relations professionals or related.
• Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder (AWI-CH) or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of and experience with interpreting, and applying employment law, regulations, and best practices.
•  Track record of conducting workplace investigations and ability to write investigation reports that adhere to legal and organizational standards.