Senior Manager Employee Relations

The Freshworks People team shapes experiences that maximize the potential of our people. Based in San Mateo (HQ) this Senior Manager Employee Relations role is a key member of our global ER leadership team owning the employee relations agenda across the United States and Europe. 

You will co-create ER strategy alongside our global ER leadership bringing a unique lens and deep cross-cultural fluency to how we build a high-trust high-performance culture.

We are re-imagining Employee Relations for todays world how we handle workplace conflicts how we take a more proactive data-driven approach to organisational health and how we teach employees to share diverse points of view with respect. At Freshworks we believe we are stronger together.

What Youll Bring

• BS/BA degree required; JD or advanced HR qualification a plus. 7 years of relevant experience in employee relations workplace conflict and performance management with meaningful exposure to both European and US employment environments.
• Proven experience operating as an ER practitioner at a senior level with the ability to execute independently while contributing to broader global strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to attract develop and inspire talent; experience managing or mentoring ER team members or HR colleagues.
• Fresh innovative and data-driven thinking applied to complex long-standing ER challenges with a growth mindset and a track record of high-impact outcomes.
• Strong business and people acumen with excellent consulting conflict resolution and facilitation skills across diverse cultural contexts.
• In-depth understanding of diversity equity and inclusion issues and their application to employee relations practice.
• Knowledge of UK and European employment law (including but not limited to GDPR works council obligations and country-specific labour laws across the EU) highly desired. 
• Proficient in US employment law (ADA ADEA FMLA). Knowledge of additional markets (Canada India Israel Australia) is an advantage.
• Collaborative influential and decisive able to lead and partner at all levels of the organisation while keeping stakeholders informed.
• Comfort with HR technology and case management tools (e.g. Salesforce ServiceNow Smartsheet); operational rigour in everything you do.

How You Will Lead

• Co-create ER strategy with the global ER leadership team ensuring alignment and consistency across the US and other regions.
• Own the day-to-day ER agenda for Europe and the United States from complex case management to coaching managers and HR Business Partners on handling workplace issues with confidence and consistency.
• Build capability across the broader People organization on conflict resolution mediation restorative justice and bias-aware decision-making.
• Partner with the global ER team to re-imagine how we address performance concerns involuntary exits and organisational changes grounded in principle designed for people and executed with operational excellence.
• Serve as a trusted expert on organizational health issues: gaps in belonging and trust manager-employee conflicts and behaviours that do not align to Freshworks values or DEI commitments.
• Ensure governance and compliance with employment policies and practices across the US and Europe including interpretation and application of relevant laws regulations and corporate policy.
• Work closely with HR Business Partners Talent Development Total Rewards and Legal to deliver coordinated seamless support on ER matters.
• Drive accountability through strong case management practices meaningful metrics and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Partner with Legal to navigate works councils trade unions and local consultation requirements in European markets.

Qualifications :

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelors degree in Human Resources Business or related field required; JD Masters in HR/Labor Relations or advanced HR certifications (e.g. SPHR SHRM-SCP) desired.
• Relevant Experience: 8 years of progressive direct experience in Employee Relations Workplace Investigations and Performance Management including at least 3 years in a senior/lead capacity within a fast-paced matrixed tech company or enterprise software environment.
• Cross-Border Expertise: Hands-on operational experience managing ER matters across both US and European jurisdictions (specifically UK Germany France or Netherlands).

Legal & Compliance Mastery

• US Employment Law: Deep expertise in US federal state and local employment laws and regulations (including FMLA ADA/ADAAA ADEA Title VII FLSA FEHA and state-specific leave/separation mandates).
• European Labor Relations: Working knowledge of European employment legislation GDPR compliance as applied to workplace investigations and practical experience navigating European Works Councils (EWCs) trade unions and local statutory consultation processes.

Execution & Strategic Leadership

• Investigation Expertise: Proven track record of independently conducting managing and documenting complex high-risk workplace investigations (e.g. harassment discrimination executive-level misconduct retaliation) with discretion and objectivity.
• Data & HR Tech Literacy: Comfortable leveraging HR technology and ER case management platforms. Demonstrated ability to analyze ER trends case metrics and workplace data to proactively identify root causes and recommend systemic solutions.
• People Leadership & Capability Building: Strong track record of coaching HR Business Partners (HRBPs) and managers on conflict resolution mediation restorative justice and bias-aware decision-making.
• Stakeholder Influence & Business Acumen: Outstanding consulting negotiation and conflict management skills with a proven ability to challenge advise and partner effectively with cross-functional partners (Legal DEI Total Rewards Business Leaders) at all levels of the organization.

Additional Information :

Were committed to building a workplace that reflects the diverse world we serve. At Freshworks youll find inclusive teams flexible thinking and opportunities to grow your career - while making work better for millions. 

If this sounds like a journey you want to be part of wed love to meet you. Lets building something refreshing together. 

The annual base salary range for this position is $203490 - $251370 Base Salary. This role is also eligible for bonus compensation. 

Compensation is based on a variety of factors including but not limited to location experience job-related skills and level. Bonus/equity may be available.

At Freshworks we have fostered an environment that enables everyone to find their true potential purpose and passion welcoming colleagues of all backgrounds genders sexual orientations religions and ethnicities. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and believe that diversity in the workplace creates a more vibrant richer environment that boosts the goals of our employees communities and business. Fresh vision. Real impact. Come build it with us.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time