Employee Relations Manager

At HDR, our employee‑ownership model shapes everything we do, including how we support and care for our people. Our diverse service lines, including Water, Architecture, Building Engineering Services, Field Services, Power, Waste, Industrial, and Transportation reflect our commitment to shaping resilient, sustainable, and forward‑thinking communities around the world. Across these disciplines, our teams design and deliver solutions that safeguard public health, enhance quality of life, power innovation, and drive responsible growth. Whether advancing clean water, creating healing and learning environments, engineering next‑generation facilities, or building the infrastructure that moves people and energy, our work is rooted in technical excellence and a shared sense of purpose. Our employee‑owners collaborate across specialties, combining creativity, precision, and deep expertise to solve the most complex challenges facing our clients and communities.

We're looking for an Employee Relations Manager who not only understands the technical foundations of employment law, but who believes that strong relationships, trust, and proactive support create the conditions where employees and teams can thrive.

You will bring deep knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws, paired with exceptional analytical and problem‑solving abilities. Just as important, you are a clear and thoughtful communicator who can translate complex information into practical, actionable guidance that empowers employees and leaders alike.

We seek a collaborative, influential partner who builds meaningful connections across all levels of the organization. In this role, you won't simply respond to employee relations issues, you will help shape an environment where concerns are prevented, voices are valued, and our shared ownership culture comes to life through fair, consistent, people‑focused practices.

You will actively monitor external trends and emerging best practices to ensure HDR continues to be an employer of choice. Through proactive programs, thoughtful coaching, and data‑informed insights, you'll help us uphold a workplace that reflects our values, supports individual success, and strengthens our organization as a whole.

By aligning employee needs with HDR's goals and values, you will support and advance a preventative, forward‑thinking employee relations approach, one that enhances employee experience, fosters trust, and reinforces what makes HDR a great place to build a career.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on escalated employee relations issues, including but not limited to disciplinary action, performance management, and conflict resolution.

• Conduct thorough and timely investigations on escalated employee complaints and serious policy violations in a fair and consistent manner.

• Assist in legal and compliance matters, such as lawsuits and audits

• Advice on reductions in force and terminations of employment in partnership with human resources and management.

• Provide guidance to human resources on complicated ADA accommodation requests.

• Support employee relations initiatives in alignment with HDR policies and business objectives while aligning employee needs with HDR goals and values.

• Monitor the hotline case tracking systems for the timely entry of the case, updates, and closures.

• Assist with the tracking and analyzing of employee relations data to be used to identify the root cause and develop actionable solutions and preventative and proactive trainings.

• Ability to think critically and strategically will be essential to your success.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ , People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

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Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, or a related field

• Eight years of progressive employee relations experience

• Professional certification in HR (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP) is preferred

• Strong knowledge of labor law and HR best practices.

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

• Demonstrated ability of developing and implementing HR strategies aligned with organizational goals.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills which have helped build and maintain positive relationships with employees to clearly and effectively convey company policies, procedures, and expectations to employees.

• Problem-solving and negotiation skills to help mediate resolve conflicts and disputes among employees and between employees and the organization

• Knowledge of labor laws and human resources best practices to ensure all employee relations activities are compliant with legal standards

• Experience leveraging data analysis tools to develop strategy and to set direction.

• High level of discretion and professionalism to handle sensitive and confidential information

• Conflict resolution skills

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ , People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.