Employee Relations Manager

The Employee Relations Manager works under the direction of the Employee Relations Director to coordinate and manage employee relations programs and functions for assigned geographic areas and ensure compliance with employment related laws and regulations. Primary responsibilities include interacting with all management levels of the Company in a consultative role to identify, assess, evaluate, and resolve employee relations issues. Additional responsibilities include partnering within HR to develop, implement, and evaluate HR policies, programs, functions and activities. The successful candidate will embody and work to reinforce MAA’s Core Values. Those values include:

• Appreciating the uniqueness of each individual
• Communicating openly and with integrity
• Embracing opportunities
• Doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides consultation, coaching and guidance to people managers on performance management and progressive discipline processes. Prepares and/or reviews performance documentation, provides input and recommendations, and coaches to provide effective performance feedback.
• Ensures escalated employee relations issues or concerns are addressed and resolved. Responds to inquiries regarding the interpretation and application of employment related policies, procedures and programs.
• Conducts internal investigations, documents and evaluates findings, and prepares recommendations and/or initiates actions to ensure resolution.
• Ensures compliance with various state and federal employment laws and responds within required time frames to EEOC charges, unemployment compensation claim responses and appeals, etc. Liaises between managers and legal counsel on EEOC charges or complaints.
• Reviews and assesses employment practices and procedures for effectiveness and compliance; provides input and recommendations for changes to policy and/or process to ensure compliance.
• Develops and conducts training presentations and programs to support compliance with employment related laws and regulations.
• Develops, monitors, and reports metrics for the employee relations function to manage and achieve results.
• Travels overnight as needed for property visits, meetings, training, and/or special events.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to meet the needs of the business.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma/ GED
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field of study required.
• 3-5 years of employee and/or labor relations experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Professional certification in human resources (e.g., SPHR, PHR, SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP) preferred.
• Bilingual or full professional proficiency in English and Spanish strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge HR/employment compliance policies and practices
• Knowledge of all employment laws and regulations (e.g., EEO, OSHA, FMLA, FLSA)
• Knowledge of legal requirements related to HR regulatory compliance at the federal, state and local levels
• Knowledge and skills to develop and deliver HR compliance related training and communications
• Skill and ability to assertively address, coach, manage and resolve interpersonal conflict effectively and efficiently
• Consultative and customer service orientation
• Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills
• Computer skills with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks and projects, and meet deadlines
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Qualitative and quantitative analytical skills and attention to detail
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and maintain appropriate discretion

Physical and Environmental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Disclaimer

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.