Employee Relations Manager

Columbia Bank; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional banking institution is seeking an Employee Relations Manager in Tacoma, WA. This role involves leading a team to handle workplace investigations, developing compliant policies, and ensuring a positive work environment. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree and 6-8 years of experience in employee relations, preferably in financial services. Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Benefits

Comprehensive healthcare coverage

401(k) retirement savings plan

Tuition assistance

Paid vacation and sick days

Qualifications

• 6-8 years of related experience or Line HR manager experience with demonstrated employee relations experience.
• Solid understanding of federal and state employment and labor laws.

Responsibilities

• Leads and develops a team of Employee Relations Partners.
• Conducts complex workplace investigations.
• Develops workplace policies in partnership with stakeholders.

Skills

Discretion

Communication skills

Analytical mindset

Understanding of labor laws

Ability to build partnerships

Education

Bachelor's degree

Masters in HR or Paralegal experience

Job description

Employee Relations Manager

Human Resources

Tacoma,Washington

Portland,Oregon

El Dorado Hills,California

Irvine,California

Lake Oswego,Oregon

Vancouver,Washington

Phoenix,Arizona

About Us

At Columbia, we create a great place to work by offering a unique brand of relationship banking and fostering a culture where associates thrive. We are dedicated to supporting our customers and communities, and we can only achieve this through the dedication of ourassociates.

We value Trust, Ownership, Growth, Empathy, Teamwork, Heart, Enjoyment, and Relationships, and we are eager to meet candidates who embody these core values. We are always on the lookout for results-focused individuals who can think independently, work collaboratively, and support our broader purpose.

Think of us as financial partners, because at Columbia, we believe the best way forward is together. Together for people. Together for business. Together for better.

About the Role

As the Employee Relations Manager (ERM), you’ll lead a team of Employee Relations Partners and oversee daily operations with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment. You’ll be a hands-on expert, guiding leaders and associates through complex workplace matters while shaping policies that reflect our values and culture.

You’ll manage sensitive investigations, drive continuous improvement, and provide strategic insights through data and collaboration. Your deep knowledge of employment law and ability to influence across all levels will help foster a respectful, compliant, and high-performing workplace.

• Leads and develops a team of high-performing Employee Relations Partners; drives continuous improvement through best practices, coaching and training.
• Independently conducts and oversees complex and sensitive workplace investigations with little to no supervision, including determining appropriate investigation strategies, leading witness interviews and conducting credibility analyses, reviewing documents, determining findings and making recommendations for appropriate resolution, and working across the organization as needed. Investigation topics include discrimination, harassment, retaliation, hostile work environment, theft, conflicts of interest, ethics, and other policy violations. Trains the team of the same.
• Engages external legal resources for high complexity, high risk and/or highly sensitive matters as appropriate. Applies judgement and discretion to keep HRBP Director and/or CHRO informed of sensitive matters and seeks guidance as needed.
• Develops, maintains and recommends workplace policies and practices in close partnership with the company’s stakeholders. Interprets policies and procedures, incorporating knowledge of multi-state and federal employment laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA, FLSA, NLRA, and Title VII and equivalent state laws).
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills by drafting well-written investigation reports, speaking points, corrective actions, presentations, etc.
• Creates data reports and analysis to identify themes, trends, and root causes to provide insights and recommendations for decision making and Employee Relations risk prevention.
• Manages the company’s case management system, meets established service level agreements for responsiveness and resolution. Manages the exit interview survey and reporting.
• Consults and collaborates with internal partners to establish and maintain a positive work environment; demonstrates managerial courage as needed and helps drive results.
• Leads or assists with project management including M&A activity or reorganization as required, including any related redundancy exercises.
• Leads and supports internal projects/initiatives as needed.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree,required.
• Masters in HR or Paralegal experience,preferred.
• 6-8 years of related experience or Line HR manager experience with demonstrated employee relations experience, required.
• 6-8 years of related experience within a large financial services organization, preferably within a matrixed environment, preferred.
• Consistently exhibits high levels of discretion, integrity and confidentiality.
• Ability to balance a sense of urgency with thoughtful, measured, principled guidance to clients. Effectively organizes, prioritizes, and handles multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Applies an analytical and strategic mindset to their work and the work of others.
• Demonstrated command skills and an ability to influence others.
• Solid understanding of federal and state employment and labor laws.
• Superb communication skills including effective listening, writing and presentation and able to express thoughts in a clear and concise manner.
• Able to build strong partnerships and work closely with line managers, senior leaders, legal, internal and external clients, vendors and HR colleagues.

Job Location(s): Ability to work fully onsite at posted location(s).

Tacoma, WA

Vancouver, WA

Portland, OR

Lake Oswego, OR

Irvine, CA

Phoenix, AZ

Benefits

We offer a competitive total rewards package including base wages and comprehensive benefits. The pay range for this role is $110,000 - $160,000, and the pay rate for the selected candidate is dependent upon a variety of non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, education, and geographic location. The role may be eligible for performance-based incentive compensation and those details will be provided during the recruitment process.

We offer eligible associates comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), a 401(k)-retirement savings plan with employer match for qualifying associate contributions, an employee assistance program, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition assistance, mental health resources, identity theft protection, legal support, auto and home insurance, pet insurance, access to an online discount marketplace, and paid vacation, sick days, volunteer days, and holidays. Benefit eligibility begins the first day of the month following the date of hire for associates who are regularly scheduled to work at least thirty hours weekly.

Equal Opportunity

Our Commitment to Diversity: Columbia Bank is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to employing, engaging, and developing a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, protected veteran status, disability, or any other applicable protected status or characteristics. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview(s), please let us know by email: [email protected]

To Staffing and Recruiting Agencies:

Our posted job opportunities are only intended for individuals seeking employment at Columbia Bank. Columbia Bank does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies and Columbia Bank will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resume submissions. Staffing and recruiting agencies are not authorized to submit profiles, applications, or resumes to this site or to any Columbia Bank employee and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited unless requested directly by a member of the Talent Acquisition team.