Sr Manager, Employee Relations & HR Compliance

Location: Waltham, MA (hybrid)

The Sr. Manager, Employee Relations & HR Compliance will oversee the company’s global employee relations and human resources compliance programs, ensuring a consistent, fair, and legally compliant approach. This role bridges strategic employee relations leadership with deep compliance expertise—providing counsel, structure, and proactive risk management across the organization.

This position reports to the Head of Global Center of Excellence and partners closely with Legal, People Operations, HR Business Partners and business leadership.

What You’ll Do:

• Employee Relations Leadership
  • Lead the global employee relations strategy, investigations case management, performance management, and employee issue resolution processes to ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance across the organization.
  • Manage an Employee Relations Specialist and oversee escalated or complex investigations and performance management cases.
  • Partner with People Business Partners to manage sensitive investigations, complex performance management cases, disciplinary actions, and terminations while mitigating organizational risk.
  • Provide training and guidance to managers and leaders on employee relations best practices, early intervention, and appropriate documentation.
  • Monitor and report on trends, themes, and outcomes to the VP, Global Head of People, identifying areas for policy enhancement or leadership development.
• HR Compliance
  • Oversee all HR compliance programs across employment, labor, immigration, and regulatory domains in partnership with Legal and People Operations.
  • Ensure adherence to federal, state, and international employment regulations.
  • Lead HR compliance audits, risk assessments, and policy reviews to ensure readiness for internal and external audits and regulatory reviews.
  • Track, interpret, and communicate changes in employment law and regulation; update internal processes, policies, and handbooks accordingly.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain global HR policies and procedures that promote a safe, inclusive, and legally compliant workplace.
  • Coordinate compliance training for employees on topics such as anti-harassment, ethics, and workplace conduct.
  • Ensure employee data handling aligns with applicable privacy laws.
• Legal and Advisory Support
  • Provide legal and practical counsel to HR and management.
  • Offer clear, pragmatic, and commercially minded legal guidance that balances compliance with business needs in a fast-paced environment.

What We Need:

• JD degree from an accredited law school
• 8+ years of experience in employment law or HR compliance, ideally within a fast-paced or tech-oriented environment.
• Deep understanding of employment, labor, privacy, and immigration compliance matters.
• Proven experience leading employee relations investigations and developing preventive frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong business judgment with the ability to prioritize and provide actionable, risk-balanced recommendations.
• Experience managing or partnering with outside counsel.
• Insurance industry experience is a plus.
• Ability to handle highly confidential information and sensitive matters.