Employee Relations Specialist Jobs
Employee Relations Specialist jobs are open across healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, retail, and higher education, from entry-level to senior and manager, with specializations in labor relations, workplace investigations, and policy compliance. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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on resolving complex employee relations matters, conducting impartial
workplace investigations, and providing practical guidance to support
consistent and effective workplace practices. This role supports the Human
Resources team and serves MSU administrators, faculty and staff by
providing thoughtful consultation, timely issue resolution, policy guidance,
and coaching. The position also contributes to the development and delivery
of training, resources, and proactive employee relations initiatives that
strengthen workplace culture and compliance. Ultimately, the Employee
Relations Specialist helps ensure organizational practices are fair, consistent,
and aligned with applicable policies, procedures, and employment laws.
- Serve as a trusted HR advisor and primary point of contact for HR Business Partners, managers, and staff on employee relations matters, policy interpretation, and workplace practices.
- Intake, assess, and respond to requests for assistance, including workplace conflicts, complaints, and performance concerns.
- Partner with leaders and employees to address interpersonal concerns, support constructive communication, improve morale, and promote a respectful and productive work environment.
- Provide coaching and guidance to leaders and supervisors on performance management, corrective action, documentation, and disciplinary processes.
- Identify needs and support the development and delivery of training on workplace conduct, performance management, conflict resolution, and related employee relations topics.
- Conduct prompt, impartial, and thorough internal investigations into workplace complaints, concerns, and allegations of misconduct.
- Prepare clear investigative reports that summarize findings, identify relevant considerations, and recommend appropriate corrective or remedial actions.
- Serve as a neutral and objective resource when evaluating sensitive workplace concerns and determining appropriate resolution pathways.
- Advise managers and employees on practical strategies to resolve conflict, restore working relationships, and support consistent workplace expectations.
- Support compliance with federal and state employment laws by staying current on legal and regulatory developments affecting employee relations.
- Maintain timely and accurate case management records, analyze trends and issues, and provide recommendations that strengthen HR policies, practices, and decision-making.
- Draft HR policies and organizational documentation, prepare reports and special projects, and present findings to the Director of Employee and Labor Relations.
- Provide responsive service and maintain good working relationships with stakeholders.
- Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in human resources administration, labor or industrial relations, business or public administration, or a related field, plus at least five years of recent and relevant professional HR experience applying human resources concepts, principles, and practices; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Employee Relations & Investigations: Demonstrated background managing employee relations matters, conducting internal investigations, and resolving complex workplace concerns.
- HR Expertise & Compliance: Working knowledge of human resources laws, regulations, principles, and practices.
- Problem-Solving & Analysis: Experience developing solutions for complex HR issues, including gathering and analyzing relevant information.
- HR Guidance & Consultation: Documented work providing consultation or guidance to individuals across all levels of an organization.
- Training Design & Delivery: Prior work developing and delivering training, learning resources, or organizational development activities and programs.
- Software Proficiency: Proficiency using computers and software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, email, and internet tools; Microsoft Office experience preferred.
- Master’s degree in Human Resources or a related field.
- Prior experience working in human resources within a higher education environment.
- Possession of a professional HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, HRCI) or equivalent.
- Effectively and confidently communicate complex concepts verbally and in writing to groups and individuals with varied levels of understanding.
- Navigate highly sensitive and confidential situations with a strict commitment to objectivity, accuracy, and close attention to detail.
- Apply, explain, and interpret institutional guidelines, employment laws, and HR procedures for a wide variety of employees and leaders.
- Maintain a neutral, impartial demeanor when evaluating sensitive workplace concerns, assessing conflicts, and conducting formal internal investigations.
- Prioritize and address a continuous volume of inquiries and case files while ensuring timely, responsive service in a fast-paced environment.
- Review facts from various sources to identify practical, policy-compliant solutions to workplace problems.
- Establish and foster trusted, effective working relationships with co-workers, university leaders, and staff across the institution.
- Represent the Human Resources department with professionalism, credibility, and courtesy while seamlessly adapting to evolving workplace dynamics
This position will be in person in Bozeman, MT.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Employee Relations Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsEmployee Relations Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in employee relations specialist jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, business, or a related field
- Working knowledge of federal and state employment law including Title VII, FMLA, and ADA
- Experience conducting workplace investigations and documenting findings
- PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification preferred or required
- Proficiency with an HRIS platform such as Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, or Oracle HCM
- Experience supporting managers through performance improvement plans and disciplinary processes
Tips for Your Employee Relations Specialist Job Search
Quantify your investigation and resolution outcomes
Hiring managers want to see that you've handled workplace complaints end to end. On your resume, replace vague responsibilities with specific outcomes: number of grievances resolved, time-to-closure improvements, or policy changes implemented after investigations concluded.
Tailor your resume to the union or non-union environment
Employee relations roles split sharply between unionized settings and non-union environments. Read each job posting carefully and mirror its language. If it mentions collective bargaining, lead with that experience. If it doesn't, front your performance management and compliance background instead.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists employee relations specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight SHRM or HRCI certification on your resume
PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP credentials signal that you can apply HR law and policy at a professional standard. List any active certification directly after your name or in a prominent credentials section so it's visible before the full work history.
Prepare real examples for behavioral interview rounds
Almost every employee relations interview uses behavioral questions about difficult conversations, misconduct investigations, and manager coaching. Before each interview, write out two or three specific situations using a clear situation-action-outcome structure so your answers stay concrete and credible.
Negotiate using scope, not just title
When an offer comes in, ask about the number of employees you'd support, whether the role owns policy drafting, and whether there's a direct report or team below you. These factors affect your workload and career trajectory, and they're negotiable even when base pay isn't.
Employee Relations Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most employee relations specialists?
The companies hiring the most employee relations specialists right now include Ford Motor Company, McKinstry, and Brex, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Healthcare systems, large retailers, and financial services firms consistently maintain the deepest demand for this role.
How many employee relations specialist jobs are remote?
About 50% of employee relations specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with remote work most common in policy-focused and corporate HR business partner roles. Positions that require on-site workplace investigations, union contract administration, or direct manager coaching tend to stay in person or hybrid.
How do you become an employee relations specialist?
Start with a bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, business administration, or a related field, then build direct experience through HR generalist, HR coordinator, or people operations roles where you handle employee complaints, policy questions, or disciplinary processes. Earning a SHRM-CP or PHR credential strengthens your candidacy, and moving into a dedicated employee relations title typically follows two to four years in a broader HR function.
Can you get hired as an employee relations specialist with limited experience?
Yes, some employers hire candidates with one to two years of HR generalist or coordinator experience if they can demonstrate exposure to employee complaints, leave administration, or policy enforcement. Framing your resume around any investigation, mediation, or manager advisory work you've done, even informally, and pairing it with a relevant certification, makes a limited background more competitive for junior-level openings.
What does the employee relations specialist interview process look like?
Most interview processes include an initial recruiter screen, a panel or one-on-one interview with HR leadership focused on behavioral questions about investigations and conflict resolution, and sometimes a written exercise or case study involving a mock employee complaint scenario. Final rounds often involve meeting a business leader or legal partner, since the role works closely with both groups on sensitive matters.
Where can I find and apply to employee relations specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to employee relations specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and target location, and apply directly to each one that fits.
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