Employee Relations Manager Jobs in California

Employee Relations Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, entertainment, healthcare, and logistics, with openings from associate-level coordinators through senior director roles. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the largest hiring metros, where employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Apple, and Walt Disney Company maintain substantial employee relations functions. The most consistent demand is for professionals who specialize in California labor law compliance, workplace investigations, and union and labor relations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles5+
Top employerAdobe
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring3
Work type80% On-site
Top industryMedia

Showing 5 of 5+ Employee Relations Manager jobs

California State University
Labor and Employee Relations Manager
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California State University
Added 1mo ago
Labor and Employee Relations Manager
California State University
Los Angeles, California
Human Resources
Compliance & Legal
$11k/mo
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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United Talent Agency
Manager, Employee Relations Business Partner
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United Talent Agency
Added 3w ago
Manager, Employee Relations Business Partner
United Talent Agency
Los Angeles, California
Human Resources
Project & Program Management
Human Resources (HR) — Generalist
$125k - $170k/yr
On-Site
Other

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NBCUniversal
Manager, Employee Relations
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NBCUniversal
Added 1mo ago
Manager, Employee Relations
NBCUniversal
Universal City, California
Human Resources
Compliance & Legal
$95k - $110k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Gap
Manager, Employee Relations
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Gap
Added 3w ago
Manager, Employee Relations
Gap
San Francisco, California
Human Resources
Compliance & Legal
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Adobe
Senior Manager, Employee Brand & Communications
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Adobe
Added 2mo ago
Senior Manager, Employee Brand & Communications
Adobe
San Francisco, California
Content & Communications
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Communications
Public Relations (PR)
$146k - $211k/yr
On-Site
None
10,000+

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See All 5 Employee Relations Manager Jobs in California

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Employee Relations Manager Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
2 jobs
San Francisco
2 jobs
Universal City
1 jobs

Employee Relations Manager Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Adobe
    Adobe1
  • California State University
    California State University1
  • Gap
    Gap1
  • NBCUniversal
    NBCUniversal1
  • United Talent Agency
    United Talent Agency1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Media & Entertainment2
  • Education1
  • Retail1
  • Technology & Software1

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in employee relations manager jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, business administration, or a related field
  • Working knowledge of California-specific employment laws including FEHA, CFRA, and PAGA
  • Three or more years of employee relations or HR generalist experience in a California workplace
  • PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification preferred by most California employers
  • Experience conducting workplace investigations under California fair employment standards
  • Demonstrated ability to advise managers on disciplinary processes consistent with California at-will and just-cause frameworks

Employee Relations Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a employee relations manager in California?

Most California employers require a bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, or business, and several years of progressively responsible HR or employee relations experience. California does not issue a state license for this role, but earning a SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR credential substantially strengthens your candidacy. Deep familiarity with California-specific laws such as FEHA, CFRA, and PAGA is treated as a near-mandatory qualification rather than a bonus by most in-state employers.

How much do employee relations managers make in California?

Employee relations managers in California earn a median of about $170,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $96,430 for the lowest 10% to over $307,600 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire employee relations managers in California?

Employers hiring employee relations managers in California right now include Adobe, California State University, and Gap, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's technology, healthcare, entertainment, and logistics sectors generate the most consistent volume of employee relations manager openings in the state.

Which California cities have the most employee relations manager jobs?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Universal City have the most employee relations manager openings in California. Los Angeles dominates because of its scale across entertainment, healthcare, and retail headquarters, while San Francisco and San Jose reflect the dense concentration of large technology employers in the Bay Area, and San Diego is driven by its biotech, defense, and healthcare industries.

Are there remote employee relations manager jobs in California?

Yes, though they are less common than in purely analytical roles because employee relations work often requires direct engagement with employees, managers, and investigation sites. About 20% of employee relations manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. Tasks such as policy development, documentation review, and management coaching are the functions most often performed remotely when hybrid arrangements are offered.

How can I get hired as a employee relations manager in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is landing an HR coordinator or HR generalist role at a mid-size or large California employer, then building employee relations exposure through casework, investigations support, and California-specific compliance projects. Large California employers such as Kaiser Permanente, county and state government agencies, and major public university systems frequently post HR assistant and HR analyst openings that serve as structured on-ramps. Earning your SHRM-CP or PHR while in an entry role and developing practical knowledge of FEHA and CFRA investigation procedures gives you a measurable edge when applying for your first dedicated employee relations title.

Where can I find and apply to employee relations manager jobs in California?

You can find and apply to employee relations manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 5 Employee Relations Manager Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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