Employee Relations Lead

We are seeking a highly skilled Employee Relations Lead to join our People & Culture team in Chicago. The successful candidate will provide expert consultative and problem-solving services to Managers, employees and other People and Culture functions regarding HR Policies and Practices ensuring compliance with all relevant country laws, regulations, policies and practices and supporting the company in fostering a fair and supportive work environment for all employees.

• Offer expert advice and guidance on labor and employment law issues, including but not limited to hiring practices, discrimination, harassment, employee benefits, terminations, and compliance matters.
• Provide advice/ draft, review, and negotiate various employment-related agreements (NDA, Restraint/ confidentiality etc.), policies, and procedures to mitigate risks and ensure legal compliance.
• Partner with Executive Director of People and Culture and support operational team members as required to achieve best practice outcomes.
• Foster strong relationships through clear communication, responsiveness, and strategic guidance.
• Provide guidance for and or conduct internal investigations and provide recommendations in response to employee complaints, disciplinary actions, and other employment-related matters.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations to prevent disputes and litigation.
• Where required, manage all aspects of litigation, from case assessment and strategy development to discovery and partner with external counsel as required.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop training programs and materials on compliance and best practices for managers and employees.
• Represent the company in labor and employment-related disputes, including administrative proceedings, mediations, and arbitrations.
• Conduct thorough legal research to provide the business with well-informed advice and support in defense of employment claims.
• Ensure compliance for all people matters/ guide state and national audit requirements.
• Provide support for visa services for expatriates/ secondments and agreements as required.

• Minimum of 4-6 years' of experience in an employee relations role
• Experience handling basic to complex employment law matters on a multi-state basis, including advising HR and business teams
• Experience and knowledge across the range of legal employment matters including, but not limited to, employee handbooks, employment agreements, OFCCP, EEOC, ADA, FLMA, workers' compensation, wage and hour laws, immigration, employee benefits, employment policies and procedures, performance management, disputes, terminations and hiring practices
• Experience analyzing employment regulations, providing legal counsel to legal and HR teams, and developing actionable business policies and action items for implementation
• Excellent communication (oral and written) skills
• Positive, collaborative attitude and a self-starter able to quickly adapt to demands of a growing company with employees in numerous states
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Fluency in Spanish and or French is a plus but not a requirement