Associate Relations Manager

Job Summary

The Associate Relations Manager serves as a subject matter expert responsible for delivering consistent, proactive, and risk‑informed Associate Relations support across the organization.

Target Pay Range: $99,000 – $124,000 annually.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and P&O partners regarding Associate relations matters, workplace concerns, policy interpretation, and employment practices.
• Provide guidance and recommendations on Associate situations while balancing Associate experience, day‑to‑day business objectives, compliance requirements, and organizational risk.
• Coach leaders on effective performance management practices, documentation expectations, corrective action decisions, and Associate communication.
• Support organizational change initiatives, restructures, workforce transitions, and other business initiatives by providing Associate relations expertise and risk assessment.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Legal, Compliance, Total Rewards, Leave Administration, Talent Acquisition, and other stakeholders to ensure aligned Associate solutions.
• Independently lead complex, sensitive, and high‑risk workplace investigations from inception to completion, including allegations such as harassment, discrimination, retaliation, policy violations, workplace conduct, and leadership concerns.
• Conduct interviews, assess credibility, analyze information, prepare findings, and recommend appropriate actions, ensuring investigations are conducted objectively, consistently, and timely.
• Identify root causes and recommend proactive solutions to address workplace trends and prevent recurrence.
• Own Associate Relations consultation related to performance concerns, disciplinary action, performance improvement plans, and separations.
• Review corrective action recommendations to ensure consistency, fairness, documentation quality, and risk mitigation.
• Partner with leaders to strengthen accountability while maintaining alignment with organizational values and employment practices.
• Develop tools, resources, and training to improve leader effectiveness in managing Associate performance.
• Utilize data to advise interventions related to culture, leadership effectiveness, retention, and Associate experience.
• Translate Associate relations data into actionable insights and recommendations for leaders.
• Support development of dashboards, quarterly business reviews, and workforce risk reporting.
• Identify themes related to culture, leadership effectiveness, Associate experience, and retention.
• Support implementation, governance, and compliance of Associate Relations policies, procedures, and resources.
• Maintain knowledge of federal, state, provincial, and local employment laws and evolving workplace trends.
• Support compliance initiatives, audits, and process improvements.
• Develop and deliver training for leaders and P&O partners on investigations, performance management, corrective action, respectful workplace expectations, Associate concerns, and documentation practices.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (preferred). Equivalent combination of education and progressive HR experience considered.
• 7+ years of progressive Human Resources experience (preferred).
• 5+ years specialized experience in Associate Relations, Employee Relations, workplace investigations, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience independently advising leaders on Associate matters, workplace investigations, performance management, corrective actions, accommodations, and organizational risk.
• Experience supporting multi‑site, multi‑state organizations required.
• Experience utilizing data and workforce insights to identify trends and develop proactive solutions preferred.
• HR certification (SHRM‑CP, SHRM‑SCP, PHR, SPHR) preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of Associate Relations practices, workplace investigations, employment laws, and risk mitigation.
• Decision quality, stakeholder management, interpersonal savvy, case‑management system and analytics tool proficiency.
• Excellent communication, coaching, conflict resolution, and consultation skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced and evolving…