People Operations Manager, Employee Relations

SOLV Energy is an engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) and solar services provider for utility solar, high voltage substation and energy storage markets across North America.

Job Description Summary:

The People Operations Manager plays a key role in supporting the department by ensuring accuracy in transactions, maintaining compliance, will assist in communication between employees and managers, corrective action planning, disciplinary actions, and provide explanation and clarification on policies and procedures. This position requires an extremely perceptive and organized person capable of relating to individuals at all levels within the organization. It also requires the application of professional HR Knowledge and personal judgement to resolve a variety of HR personnel management issues in a high-paced environment.

This role is based full-time in our office in San Diego, CA. Specific location details and expectations will be discussed during the interview process.

Job Description:

*This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned

Position Responsibilities and Duties:

• Serve as trusted advisor to managers and employees regarding employee relations issues, including conflict resolution, performance management and disciplinary action

• Ensure the organization adheres to all applicable labor laws and regulations

• Maintain current knowledge of federal and state employment laws (EEO, ADA, Title VII, etc.) to ensure compliance across HR practices

• Coordinate employee lifecycle activities such as onboarding, promotions, terminations, and separations in partnership with internal stakeholders

• Conduct prompt thorough, and impartial investigations into employee complaints, concerns and allegations.

• Mediate and resolve employee disputes and grievance effectively

• Conduct exit interviews, process employee separations in Workday, ensure final pay compliance, and document findings

• Administer drug and alcohol testing programs in alignment with policy and regulatory requirements

• Adjudicate background checks, escalate discrepancies, and ensure pre-employment compliance steps are completed

• Review employee records and respond to subpoenas, audits, and unemployment claims in a timely and accurate manner.

• Track ADA cases and accommodations to ensure legal compliance and timely case management.

• Maintain and audit HRIS records (Workday), employee files, and SharePoint documentation to ensure accuracy, security, and compliance

• Manage external HR mailbox communications, including verifications of employment and benefit-related audits

• Participate in continuous process improvement efforts and special projects as assigned

• Communicate company policies, procedures and changes to employees clearly and effectively

• Demonstrate empathy and understanding to employees by actively listening to their concerns

• Facilitate constructive dialogue and reach mutual agreeable solutions

• Provide coaching and support to managers on handling sensitive employees’ issues and creating a positive, inclusive workplace

• Understand and apply best practices in employment relations management

Minimum Skills or Experience Requirements:

• Experience: 5+ years of People Operations or Human Resources experience.

• At least 4+ years of experience managing teams or leading people operations functions.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration or related field.

• Certifications: HR-related certifications such as A-PHR, SHRM-CP/SCP etc. a major plus.

• Familiarity with full employee lifecycle.

• Ability to confidently speak publicly and respond to inquiries in a professional manner.

• Ability to visit job sites and offices, as needed.

• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.

• Strong English communication skills both written and verbal, bilingual in Spanish is a major plus.

• Ability to handle s