Employee Relations & Labor Principal

Partnering with Aquent, a premier talent solutions agency, a leading healthcare organization is seeking an experienced Employee & Labor Relations expert to make a profound impact on their workforce culture and operational excellence. In this highly influential role, you will serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert, shaping employee relations strategies, guiding leadership through complex labor landscapes, and fostering a collaborative, fair, and high-performing work environment where those who provide world-class care are supported by an equally exceptional workplace culture.

The Opportunity

In this dynamic position, you will act as a key driver of organizational excellence, providing strategic counsel and hands-on guidance to management and staff on human resource policies, collective bargaining agreements, and employment laws. You will have the unique opportunity to lead critical investigations, collaborate closely with legal counsel on complex cases, and design proactive initiatives that mitigate risk. By championing continuous improvement and influencing key stakeholders, you will elevate the entire HR function and directly contribute to organizational harmony.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with legal counsel to prepare for arbitrations, including witness and document preparation, and assist during hearings.
• Investigate employee complaints and grievances, drafting comprehensive outcome letters and actionable recommendations.
• Prepare and present complex cases for weekly legal reviews.
• Assist legal teams in investigating complaints filed with state and federal agencies (such as the EEOC and NLRB) and third parties.
• Provide guidance and support to employees regarding workplace challenges, connecting them with professional resources when appropriate.
• Advise supervisors, managers, and directors on the interpretation, compliance, and enforcement of HR policies, collective bargaining agreements, and employment laws (including ADA, FMLA, state leaves, and Workers' Compensation).
• Guide management on corrective actions, grievance procedures, and dispute resolution consistent with established HR practices.
• Respond to unemployment insurance claims throughout the entire appeals process to minimize organizational costs.
• Analyze data, track trends within a case management system, and utilize insights to drive proactive HR strategies and improve data quality.
• Collaborate across teams to develop and implement progressive HR policies and deliver impactful training programs.

Must-Have Qualifications

• Twelve (12) years of progressively responsible and directly related work experience in employee and labor relations.
• Deep knowledge of the principles and practices of employee and labor relations, collective bargaining, and union environments.
• Comprehensive understanding of local, state, and federal employment laws and regulatory requirements.
• Proven ability to conduct objective, thorough investigations into sensitive, legal, and third-party complaints while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, facilitation, and administrative skills.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems, work independently, and build trust with stakeholders at all levels of an organization.
• Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship of any kind.
• Ability to work on a W-2 basis (C2C or 1099 is not permitted).

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a work-related discipline or field from an accredited college or university.
• Experience working within the healthcare industry or a similarly complex regulatory environment.