Employee Relations Specialist

Open position in Columbia, MO;  Hybrid work schedule: 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home

Visa Sponsorship  is not available for this position, now or in the future. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without requiring employer sponsorship.

The Employee Relations Specialist is a people-centered HR professional who supports managers and employees across all US MTP agencies on performance, conduct, and policy questions, builds in-house training, and supports compliance with employment laws. This role is the practical, hands-on resource for day-to-day employee relations matters, escalating complex or high-risk issues to HR leadership.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities   (Other duties may be assigned)

- Serve as a trusted first point of contact for managers and employees across all US MTP agencies on employee relations questions, including policy interpretation and workplace challenges. Provide clear, consistent, and fair guidance.

- Support the network-wide performance management process by coaching managers through performance conversations, drafting and monitoring performance improvement plans, and ensuring documentation standards are met.

- Develop and facilitate in-house training for managers and employees, including manager training on performance management, documentation practices, and employment law basics, as well as onboarding and compliance content. Keep content current as policies and laws change.

- Support compliance and employment law matters across the network, including responding to employment-related questions, helping monitor changes in federal, state, and local requirements, and flagging updates to HR leadership.

- Review and recommend updates to employee handbooks, HR policies, and process documentation, identifying gaps and inconsistencies to keep materials current, accurate, and accessible.

- Maintain confidential employee relations case files and track trends, reporting themes and risk areas to HR leadership while protecting employee privacy.

Qualifications - To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

- 3–5 years of progressive HR experience with a focus on employee relations, performance management, and employment compliance.

- Experience supporting multiple business units or a multi-state environment preferred.

Skills

- Working knowledge of federal and multi-state employment laws, including ADA, EEO, and state-specific harassment prevention requirements.

- Experience handling employee relations cases from intake through resolution, including conducting workplace investigations.

- Strong working knowledge of performance management frameworks and documentation best practices.

- Ability to design and deliver clear, engaging training for managers and employees. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

- Comfort learning and evaluating new HR systems and resources.

Traits

- Trusted, approachable, and discreet, with the ability to handle sensitive employee matters with integrity.

- Calm and steady in difficult situations, balancing empathy with objectivity.

- Detail-oriented with sound judgment and a sense of when to escalate.

- Proactive and self-directed.

- Collaborative team player who communicates clearly across all levels of the organization.

Education

- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required.

- Licenses / Certifications: PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred but not required

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Total Perks Package

- The chance to be a part of a growing company and the next success story

- Amazing opportunities for career development

- Recognition programs

- Employee referral bonus

- Hybrid work schedule; 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home

- Fun and collaborative work environment

- Casual dress code

- Insurance Coverage (medical, dental, vision, life, and disability)

- 401(k) retirement plan, with employer 4% match

- Work/life benefits, including mental health and wellbeing support

- Flexible Time Off Policy

- Paid holidays, including agency soft closing Christmas Eve-New Year's Day

- Paid leave options, including sick leave, medical leave for self and family, and parental leave

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