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Employee Relations Manager (HR Business Partner)

Chicago, ILOnsiteFull TimeManager / Head$78,000–$83,500 /yrPosted 11 days ago

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Required skills

  • employee relations
  • HR business partner
  • legal talent
  • workplace investigations
  • performance management
  • conduct issues
  • harassment
  • discrimination
  • US employment practices
  • multi-state workforce

Nice to have

  • international employee relations
  • SHRM-CP
  • PHR
  • compensation review

Role summary

Axiom is seeking a Manager, Employee Relations to join their People Team as a senior individual contributor. This role will manage employee relations for legal talent, develop and implement People policies, and partner with various stakeholders to resolve complex workplace matters. Responsibilities include leading investigations, coaching managers on performance and employee relations practices, and maintaining confidential case documentation. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of progressive HR or employee relations experience, strong judgment, and excellent communication skills. This role is based in Chicago and offers a competitive salary and bonus structure.

The Role: Axiom is seeking a Manager, Employee Relations to join our People Team as a senior individual contributor. This role will have primary responsibility for managing employee relations matters for our legal talent population (consisting of lawyers and allied legal professionals) and contribute to the development and implementation of People policies, practices, compensation initiatives and other programs that support Axiom’s employees and business.

The Manager, Employee Relations will partner closely with Legal Talent, Talent Success Partners, Sales, People Team, Legal and Compliance, and other business stakeholders to resolve complex workplace matters and ensure people practices are fair, transparent, practical and consistently applied. This role will support predominantly US based employees, with opportunities to extend across Canada, UK, Asia and Australia.

Based in Chicago, this role is ideal for an experienced employee relations professional who brings sound judgment, a thoughtful and empathetic approach, and the ability to move confidently between sensitive individual cases and broader people initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

  • Independently manage complex employee relations matters involving Legal Talent, including performance concerns, conduct issues, workplace conflict, harassment and discrimination complaints, and concerns arising at client sites or during engagements.
  • Lead prompt, fair, and thorough workplace investigations; gather and assess facts, document findings, identify risks, and make clear, well-supported recommendations for resolution, corrective action, or other next steps.
  • Partner with People leadership and Legal counsel on final decisions for material employee relations matters and implement approved recommendations, including preparing documentation, coordinating stakeholder communications, and leading outcome discussions with employees and managers.
  • Coach managers and internal business teams on performance management, effective feedback, difficult conversations, and sound employee relations practices.
  • Handle sensitive wellness and mental health related workplace concerns with empathy, appropriate confidentiality, and sound judgment; connect employees and managers to the appropriate internal resources.
  • Maintain thorough, timely, and confidential case documentation, including investigation materials, performance records, recommendations, approved actions, and outcome communications.
  • Identify recurring employee relations themes and recommend improvements to policies, manager guidance, training, and operational practices.
  • Contribute to global People initiatives, including annual compensation review processes, policy updates, and other projects that strengthen the employee experience and support business growth.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

    • Qualifications:

  • 5+ years of progressive HR, employee relations, employment law, or HR business partner experience, including direct ownership of complex employee relations matters.
  • Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations involving performance, conduct, harassment, discrimination, or other sensitive concerns.
  • Ability to assess complex employee relations matters, develop balanced recommendations, and influence leaders who hold final decision-making authority.
  • Strong working knowledge of U.S. employment practices and the judgment to recognize when Legal or senior People leadership involvement is required.
  • Experience supporting a distributed, multi-state workforce is preferred; international employee relations exposure is a plus.
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
  • Professional certification in HR or employee relations (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR) preferred but not required.

    • Skills and abilities:

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage difficult conversations calmly, clearly, and empathetically.
  • Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to handle highly confidential information with care.
  • Excellent listening skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build trust with employees, managers, and senior stakeholders.
  • Ability to remain tactful, calm, and persuasive in controversial or confrontational situations.
  • Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, move matters forward efficiently, and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Curiosity, adaptability, and a genuine interest in learning and growing across the broader People function.

    • Axiom’s total rewards philosophy is to be transparent and equitable with all job candidates. The annual base salary range for this role is $78,000-$83,500 and you will be eligible to participate in our cash bonus plan which on target would be 20% of your base salary for a Manager level role in our People team. You can also participate in our benefits programs that include healthcare, life and disability coverage, 401K with company match, paid sick and personal time off, paid parental leave and more. Please note that the final compensation is determined by several considerations, including the quality of your experience and expertise, your ability to immediately contribute to Axiom, your potential to move up to the next level, the market you are located in, and other business considerations.

    Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities: Upon request and consistent with applicable laws, Axiom will attempt to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in the application process. To request an accommodation to complete the application form, please contact us at benefits@axiomlaw.com and include “Applicant Accommodation” in the subject line.

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