Employee & Labor Relations Partner

Join Chimes and go further to help others go far! Chimes is a not-for-profit organization that assists people with intellectual and behavioral challenges to achieve their fullest potential.

Our vast array of services educational employment vocational residential habilitative and behavioral health are delivered through a network of national and international affiliates. This allows us to take a comprehensive holistic approach to improving the lives of every person we serve those who receive and those who reap the benefits of our innovative responsive solutions.

Location: Baltimore MD (Hybrid eligible)
FLSA: Exempt
Role Type: Individual Contributor (no direct reports)
Compensation: Base salary range $130000$145000 (no bonus). Final offer within range depends on depth of labor relations (grievances bargaining arbitration) and experience leading complex ER investigations across multiple states.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end investigations on complex ER matters (harassment discrimination retaliation misconduct performance): plan interview analyze evidence write findings recommend action.
• Serve as primary point for union matters: manage grievances and information requests; conduct contract/past-practice reviews; support bargaining prep (proposals costing notes) and participate at the table as needed.
• Partner with HR Business Partner (HRBP) teams to diagnose trends coach leaders and execute fair consistent corrective action PIPs and separations.
• Design maintain and deliver ELR training (investigations skills documentation standards just-cause performance conversations accommodation/leave intersections).
• Author and maintain SOPs toolkits templates and policy updates aligned to federal/state/local laws and collective bargaining agreements.
• Track/analyze ER & LR metrics (case volume cycle time root causes) and translate insights into process improvements and preventative training.
• Advise on ADA/ADAAA FMLA leave/accommodation intersections and wage/hour basics; coordinate with Benefits Payroll HRIS and Legal.
• Support arbitration/ULP preparation (fact development exhibits witness prep) with Legal or outside counsel.
• Ensure documentation meets audit/readiness standards; safeguard confidentiality and data privacy.
• Contribute to culture initiatives emphasizing respect inclusion safety and accountability; escalate risk appropriately.

Qualifications

Required

• 7 years progressive Employee Relations experience with ownership of complex multi-site/state investigations.
• Direct Labor Relations exposure (grievances contract interpretation information requests); effective partnership during bargaining cycles.
• Exceptional investigation and writing skills; clear defensible findings tied to policy/precedent and evidence.
• Strong knowledge of employment law (Title VII ADA/ADAAA FMLA FLSA NLRA) with practical risk-balanced judgment.
• Demonstrated partnership with HRBP teams and leader coaching to resolution.
• High discretion integrity urgency and empathy handling sensitive issues.

Preferred

• Hands-on LR depth (bargaining participation arbitration/ULP prep multi-CBA environments).
• Nonprofit healthcare government contracts or social services experience.
• Formal investigations training/certification (e.g. AWI Title IX/trauma-informed interviewing) or LR coursework.
• Bachelors in HR Labor/Employment Relations or related field (Masters/JD a plus).

Level Consideration (Senior ELR Partner)

• Depth of LR (led grievances end-to-end; supported/led bargaining; arbitration/ULP prep).
• Complexity/volume of high-risk investigations with defensible outcomes under external scrutiny.
• Multi-state unionized footprint and demonstrated influence with senior leaders.

Work Conditions & Other

• Hybrid work may be available; some regional travel (1020%).
• Timely response to urgent issues; occasional off-hours support during investigations or labor activity.
• Equal Opportunity Employer; reasonable accommodations available.

Whats in it for you

Total Rewards (For Full-Time Employees >30 hours/week):

• Competitive Pay
• Medical Dental and Vision Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement options
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Dependent and Transportation)
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 403(b) with Employer Match
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Employee Referral Bonus opportunities
• Discounts through Tickets at Work
• Discounts on Verizon mobile service
• And More!

Want to learn more

To learn more about Chimes and how you can achieve personal and professional growth within a purpose-driven organization visit us at: