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The Employee Relations (ER) Manager leads a team of ER Specialists to partner with necessary stakeholders to develop strategy and consistently execute actions for a variety of ER activities including general performance issues, corrective actions, basic policy violations, involuntary separations and reductions-in-force and offboarding activities. The Employee Relations Manager will support our HR strategies, foster productive management-employee relationships, and ensure compliance with all relevant federal and state labor regulations. This position functions under the direction of the Director of Human Resources and may be based in either McLean, VA or Bedford, MA.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Leads the ER team in partnering with managers and HR Business Partners to address performance and/or behavior issues and advise on next steps as needed. Provides oversight to MITRE’s corrective action process by ensuring that related documentation clearly addresses the relevant circumstances in each case and that actions are handled in a timely manner.  

Escalates serious incidents or concerns to MITRE’s Equal Employment Office for investigation where appropriate.  

Develops streamlined processes for and conducts timely involuntary separation actions to include terminations for cause and Reduction-in-Force (RIF) actions, ensuring such actions are conducted in accordance with MITRE policies. 

Develops, implements and oversees the continued evolution of employee relations strategies, policies and processes to maintain a positive, productive work environment aligned with MITRE’s mission and values.  

Develops and implements templates/forms/playbooks to assist with process and/or documentation requirements. 

Tracks and analyzes employee relations metrics to identify trends, areas for improvement, and risk mitigation strategies, reporting findings to HR leadership. 

Develops training for people leaders on best employee relations practices to proactively address conflict and performance management issues.  

Provides talent development for the ER Specialist team.  

This position requires 50% hybrid on-site.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 10 years of related experience; or eight years and a master’s degree. Previous experience in government contracting or professional services sectors is highly preferred. 

At least three years’ experience collaborating with people leaders and other stakeholders in addressing ER initiatives and issues.  

Strong attention to detail and excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write cohesive emails, corrective action documentation, summaries and guidelines.   

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify and support key HR initiatives and bring collaborative and innovative solutions around ER issues and practices.   

Experience with developing, planning and implementing HR policies and practices that promote a positive employer-employee relationship and contribute to an overall high level of employee engagement. 

Ability to balance competing priorities and conflicting opinions to facilitate the best decisions for employees and the business in an environment of ambiguity and rapid change.  

Ability to remain tactful, calm, and persuasive in controversial and/or confrontational situations.  

Federal and state employment law knowledge.

This role requires the ability to obtain a security clearance up to the Top-Secret level. 

Preferred Qualifications:

At least three years of experience managing and developing teams in a fast-paced and evolving environment. 

Background in HR process improvement/operations highly preferred 

Experience working with quantitative and qualitative data to identify root causes, recognize patterns, and develop creative, innovative solutions for complex problems 

PHR or SPHR certifications 

Current, active DoD security clearance, preferably Top-Secret 

Proficiency with Microsoft Office software and Workday

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Top Secret

Work Location Type:

Hybrid

MITRE is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. MITRE recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of age; ancestry; color; family medical or genetic information; gender identity and expression; marital, military, or veteran status; national and ethnic origin; physical or mental disability; political affiliation; pregnancy; race; religion; sex; sexual orientation; and any other protected characteristics. For further information please visit the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website EEO is the Law Poster and Pay Transparency.

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