Imagine Your Future with Us! Since 1971, Paychex has been at the forefront of simplifying HR, payroll, and benefits for American businesses. Our digital HR technology and advisory solutions cater to the changing needs of employers and their employees. With our award-winning training and endless opportunities for growth and development, you can build a lifelong career with us. We pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive and innovative culture. Our leaders are here to support your career journey; they and our dedicated employees embody the values that drive us to support each other, our clients, and our communities. Join us to pursue your passion and unleash your potential.

The Manager – Employee Relations (ER) will serve as a senior individual contributor responsible for managing complex ER matters, developing employee relations programs, driving proactive ER strategies, and ensuring alignment with company policies, values, and compliance standards. This role serves as a trusted advisor to HR and business leaders while directly owning high-impact ER initiatives across the organization

Employee Relations Case Management & Advisory

• Lead the timely investigation, analysis, and disposition of complex ER cases, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Provide expert guidance to HR partners and business leaders on sensitive and high‑risk ER scenarios, including business conduct, performance issues, terminations, and policy interpretation.
• Develop rapid‑response plans and risk‑mitigation strategies for emerging or unique ER challenges.

Policy, Compliance & Governance

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and communication of HR policies and procedures.
• Partner with Internal Audit to review findings and recommend appropriate actions or resolutions.
• Collaborate with legal counsel to ensure policies and programs reflect evolving federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
• Establish and maintain documentation standards, case management processes, capacity tracking, audit protocols, and weekly ER reporting.

Strategic Programs & Initiatives

• Define and implement proactive ER strategies that strengthen culture, productivity, motivation, and morale.
• Lead ER strategic initiatives and cross‑functional projects to improve business outcomes, drive retention, and enhance workforce engagement.
• Own the design, development, and execution of company‑wide ER programs, including multi‑tiered ER models and performance improvement frameworks.
• Identify ER trends across the organization, provide insights, and recommend mitigation strategies.

Innovation & Process Improvement

• Challenge existing practices and propose innovative solutions to scale ER programs, tools, and resources.
• Identify opportunities to enhance the employee experience through process improvement and service refinement.
• Actively contribute to change management initiatives to support successful execution of ER priorities.

Workforce Insights & Listening Strategy

• Drive listening mechanisms—focus groups, exit interviews, and engagement surveys—to capture workforce sentiment.
• Combine qualitative insights with data analytics to build a strong understanding of employee experience.
• Ensure employee voice is represented in recommendations and program design.

Stakeholder Partnership & Influence

• Serve as a senior ER advisor, mentoring HR partners and guiding leaders through complex decision‑making.
• Provide thought leadership and best‑practice recommendations for enhancing employee relations and promoting a positive workplace culture.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to improve ER

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years of Human Resources experience, with strong experience in Employee Relations.
• Minimum 3 years experience working within or supporting multi-tiered ER environments.
• Minimum 5 years experience influencing and guiding stakeholders or teams (formal people leadership not required).
• PHR/SPHR or GPHR certification preferred.

Act with uncompromising integrity.

Provide outstanding service and build trusted relationships.

Drive innovation in our products and services and continually improve our processes.

Work in partnership and support each other.

Be personally accountable and deliver on commitments.

Treat each other with respect and dignity.

At Paychex, we know that great talent comes in many forms. If you're passionate about the role but don't check every box, we still encourage you to apply. You might be the right fit - either for this position or another opportunity with us.


Paychex is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated fairly and evaluated based on their qualifications, experience, and merit. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment.