Job Title: Senior Employee Relations Specialist (Hybrid Kankakee, IL)

Location: Kankakee, IL (Hybrid 3 days onsite, flexible schedule)
Duration: 9-month contract (likely to extend)
Hours: 40 hours per week
Start Date: November 24, 2025

Overview:
Seeking a highly skilled Senior Employee Relations Specialist to manage complex employee relations matters, investigations, and compliance initiatives. This position plays a critical role in supporting leadership, fostering fair workplace practices, and maintaining positive employee and union relations within a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Candidates with experience in unionized environments are strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct confidential investigations into employee misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and policy violations.

• Manage and resolve compliance hotline cases, documenting findings accurately.

• Advise and coach managers on employee relations, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution.

• Partner with legal counsel and HR Business Partners to mitigate risk and ensure compliance with labor and employment laws.

• Facilitate terminations and maintain thorough documentation.

• Interpret and apply company policies and collective bargaining agreements.

• Resolve grievances, participate in arbitrations, and build strong relationships with union representatives and Works Councils.

• Oversee the medical accommodation process and facilitate discussions with HR and medical experts.

• Guide leaders on corrective action, performance improvement plans, and SMART objectives.

• Support the creation and delivery of employee relations training and programs.

• Contribute to HR and ER projects, maintaining complete and compliant case documentation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor s degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Psychology, or related field.

• 5 7 years of progressive experience in employee relations, with a strong focus on investigations.

• Comprehensive understanding of employment laws, compliance, and HR best practices.

• Proficiency in HRIS and case management systems (e.g., ServiceNow, NAVEX EthicsPoint).

• Excellent communication, coaching, and influencing skills.

• High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive information.

• Ability to manage high case volumes (25 40 per week) and prioritize effectively.

• Must be local to Kankakee, IL, and available onsite 3 days per week.

Preferred:

• Strong experience in unionized and large non-exempt workforce environments.

• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish).

• Experience supporting multiple locations or working in a global, matrixed organization.

Additional Details:

• Fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and occasional overtime.

• 10% overnight travel may be required.

• Emphasis on resilience, self-care, and emotional intelligence due to case sensitivity.

• Comprehensive 1-month internal training and strong peer support system provided.

Interview Process:
1 3 virtual interviews with the hiring team; decisions typically made within 2 3 weeks.