Lead Employee Relations Partner

Why UKG:  

At UKG, the work you do matters. The code you ship, the decisions you make, and the care you show a customer all add up to real impact. Today, tens of millions of workers start and end their days with our workforce operating platform. Helping people get paid, grow in their careers, and shape the future of their industries. That’s what we do.

We never stop learning. We never stop challenging the norm. We push for better, and we celebrate the wins along the way. Here, you’ll get flexibility that’s real, benefits you can count on, and a team that succeeds together. Because at UKG, your work matters—and so do you.

About the Role 
As a Lead Employee Relations (ER) partner within the People & Employment Practices (PEP) team, you will play a key role in promoting a fair, respectful, and compliant workplace across the organization. You will serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and HR partners, supporting employee relations strategy, performance management, and risk mitigation.

This role requires strong ER judgment, comfort navigating complex employee issues, and practical experience supporting employment practices and broader ER support across the Americas. The ideal candidate brings curiosity, sound decision-making, and the ability to translate legal requirements into workable people practices, in close partnership with Legal and HR colleagues.

Key Responsibilities
• Provide hands-on support for employment practices, advising on local requirements and partnering with Legal to manage risk and employee concerns
• Demonstrate working familiarity with employment framework and engagement with labor authorities and institutions and with guidance from internal and external counsel
• Support awareness of and participation in labor law requirements, including required committees, audit readiness, and documentation practices
• Act as a point of contact for employee relations needs, including terminations, voluntary separations, and employee questions related to workplace practices
• Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and HR Business Partners across regions on employee relations matters, with a strong focus on performance management, leader coaching, disciplinary actions, and terminations
• Partner with Legal, People Operations, and HRBPs to develop and apply ER policies and processes consistently across regions
• Support routine to moderately complex investigations through intake, coordination, and resolution
• Identify ER trends and opportunities for proactive interventions that improve consistency, reduce risk, and enhance the employee experience
• Support ER needs during organizational changes, restructures, and offboarding

Basic Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in employee relations, HR, or a related field
• Strong ER experience in the United States; experience supporting additional regions
• Demonstrated strength in performance management, leader coaching, and managing sensitive employee issues

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or a related field, or equivalent experience

Preferred Qualifications
• Sound judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to influence across levels

Company Overview:

UKG is the Workforce Operating Platform that puts workforce understanding to work. With the world's largest collection of workforce insights, and people-first AI, our ability to reveal unseen ways to build trust, amplify productivity, and empower talent, is unmatched. It's this expertise that equips our customers with the intelligence to solve any challenge in any industry — because great organizations know their workforce is their competitive edge. Learn more at ukg.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer   

UKG is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, disability, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

View The EEO Know Your Rights poster      

UKG participates in E-Verify. View the E-Verify posters here.  

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. 

Disability Accommodation in the Application and Interview Process

For individuals with disabilities that need additional assistance at any point in the application and interview process, please email UKGCareers@ukg.com. 

The pay range for this position is $102,300 to $147,050. The actual base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and work location. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible to participate in a performance-based bonus plan and to receive restricted stock unit awards as part of total compensation. Learn more about UKG’s benefits and rewards at https://www.ukg.com/about-us/careers/benefits