Senior Employee Relations Specialist

About the Role

Key duties include advising managers and employees on conflict resolution, investigating standard to complex complaints, and recommending corrective actions or terminations based on policy and legal risk. The specialist also coaches managers on performance‑management practices such as improvement plans and involuntary separations, and collaborates with HR Business Partners, Legal, Benefits, Leave Administration and Risk Management on escalated leave and accommodation requests. The role supports position elimination initiatives, provides change‑management assistance, and partners with HRBPs on high‑risk or highly complex issues. Investigation of agency charges, use of a case‑management system (as subject‑matter expert), and generation of trend reports are also required. Occasional travel to other Cushman & Wakefield locations may be needed for investigations or meetings. • Deliver employee‑relations consulting to internal client groups across Canada. • Investigate and resolve standard to complex employee complaints, documenting findings and recommendations. • Advise managers on performance‑management, improvement plans, exit strategies, and involuntary separations. • Recommend appropriate corrective actions or terminations, weighing policy and legal risk. • Partner with HRBPs, Legal, Benefits, Leave Administration, and Risk Management on escalated leave of absence and accommodation cases. • Support position elimination processes and provide change‑management guidance. • Serve as subject‑matter expert for the case‑management tool, generating reports and tracking trends. • Respond to state and federal agency charges in collaboration with HRBPs and Legal. • Assist in creating or refining company‑wide HR policies and develop training materials, tools, and templates. • Participate in ER COE projects and occasional travel for investigations or meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸employee relations
• ▸case management
• ▸report generation
• ▸trend tracking
• ▸policy development
• ▸investigation

What You Bring

The Senior Employee Relations Specialist provides governance and consulting services for employee relations to designated internal clients across Canada. Reporting to the ER Manager, the role requires exceptional virtual communication, strong relationship‑building, an action‑oriented mindset, and precise documentation. The specialist applies deep knowledge of Canadian federal, provincial and local leave regulations to ensure consistent, compliant application of company policies. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in HR or a related field (or equivalent experience), possess at least five years of progressive employee‑relations or HR‑generalist experience, and have strong knowledge of Canadian employment law. Preferred credentials include PHR or SPHR designation and Spanish language ability. Core competencies include conflict management, diagnostic and analytical skills, influencing leaders, strong written and verbal communication, project management, and proficiency with HRMS platforms such as Workday or PeopleSoft. • Hold a bachelor’s degree in HR (or equivalent) with 5+ years of progressive ER/HR‑Generalist experience. • Preferred qualifications: PHR/SPHR designation and Spanish language proficiency. • Demonstrated skills in conflict management, employment law, influencing leaders, analytical diagnostics, and strong written/verbal communication. • Proficiency with HRMS systems such as Workday or PeopleSoft.

Requirements

• ▸hr degree
• ▸5+ years
• ▸phr
• ▸spanish
• ▸workday
• ▸conflict management

Benefits

The position offers a competitive salary ranging from $85,000 to $100,000, adjusted for location, experience and collective‑bargaining status, and includes a comprehensive benefits package covering health, vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, retirement savings, life and disability insurance, as well as paid and unpaid time off. Cushman & Wakefield is an equal‑opportunity employer and complies with the ADAAA, providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. • Salary range $85,000–$100,000, plus comprehensive health, vision, dental, FSA/HSA, retirement, life and disability insurance, and paid/unpaid time off. • Equal opportunity employer adhering to ADAAA accommodations.

Work Environment

Hybrid