The Family Systems Institute · 4 weeks ago
HR Operations & Employee Relations Lead
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$90K/yr - $123K/yr
5+ years expThe Family Institute at Northwestern University is a leading relationship-based behavioral health organization focused on strengthening and healing individuals and families. The HR Operations & Employee Relations Lead will foster a positive workplace culture, manage employee relations, and ensure compliance with employment laws while enhancing HR operational workflows.
Non ProfitPersonal DevelopmentTraining
Responsibilities
Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations concerns, providing coaching, conflict resolution, and guidance to employees and managers
Build strong, trusted relationships at all levels through approachable, solutions-oriented support
Partner with managers on all aspects of performance management, including feedback conversations, team dynamics, talent development, performance issues, and policy application
Lead investigations and document findings in accordance with best practices and legal standards
Ensure consistent interpretation and application of employment policies and relevant federal/state employment laws
Facilitate and support the performance review process and guide managers in structuring meaningful goal-setting and development conversations
Maintain documentation of all employee relations cases, analyze trends, and proactively recommend interventions
Partner with the Senior HR Director to support culture strategy and multi-year engagement priorities
Lead implementation of engagement initiatives and support development of culture-building programs
Support recognition programs, internal communications, Shared Services Digest content, and coordinated messaging across departments
Partner with leaders to ensure consistency in tone, expectations, and employee touchpoints across the employee lifecycle
Use qualitative and quantitative data to identify themes and inform culture, engagement, and operational improvements
Provide governance and oversight of payroll workflows, ensuring data accuracy, timely processing, quality checks, and issue escalation
Ensure HR policies, procedures, and practices are compliant with local, state, and federal employment law, recommending updates as laws evolve
Own the leave of absence and accommodation processes from a programmatic standpoint, ensuring consistency, legal compliance, and operational alignment
Maintain oversight of multi-state compliance requirements and ensure HR practices meet evolving legal standards
Develop and maintain SOPs, guides, templates, and toolkits that support managers and employees
Act as a key contributor to HR system enhancements (HRIS, payroll, benefits, AI-enabled workflows), ensuring processes are efficient, user-friendly, and scalable
Lead and support strategic HR projects, including policy redesigns, compensation cycles, performance processes, and change-management efforts
Translate business needs into practical solutions, balancing day-to-day execution with long-term improvements
Utilize data and technology to streamline HR operations, support decision-making, and enhance the employee experience
Leverage AI tools and automation to improve HR processes, employee communication, and data-driven decision-making
Collaborate with Shared Services Team to streamline workflows, automate processes, and enhance the employee experience
Support organizational change by helping leaders and teams navigate transitions, new ways of working, and culture shifts
Provide coaching and support to HR team members on HR standards, service quality, and consistent application of processes
Serve as a thought partner to the Senior HR Director in shaping HR strategy, role design, and service delivery models
Perform other duties as assigned by manager for business necessity
Qualification
Required
Proven ability to navigate sensitive employee situations with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment
Experience in culture, engagement, and internal communications
Demonstrated experience managing employee accommodations, leaves of absence, and performance management processes
Strong understanding of employment laws and HR best practices
Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and written communication skills
Tech-savvy with experience using HRIS systems and comfort with AI-driven tools
Strong HR operations background—working with payroll, benefits, HRIS data integrity, and policy interpretation
Strategic thinker who can balance employee experience with organizational priorities
Proactive, collaborative, and data-informed approach to problem-solving
Strong project management and time management skills; ability to prioritize across competing demands
Adaptability in navigating change and shifting organizational needs
Excellent relationship-building skills that foster trust and collaboration
Curiosity and proactivity in identifying trends, recommending improvements, and advancing culture initiatives
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Psychology, Business Administration, or related field
5-7 years of progressive HR experience with at least 3 years of experience in employee relations, compliance, and HR Operations
Preferred
HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR/SPHR) is highly preferred
Benefits
Health
A 403(b) retirement savings plan
Generous time off
Professional development
Company
The Family Systems Institute
The Family Systems Institute specialises in post-graduate family systems theory training to assist in human relationships.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase