Employee Relations Manager

About Cardea Health:

Cardea Health is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate health care to marginalized populations. Our mission is to create and support programs that protect the health and autonomy of vulnerable individuals and promote equity and social justice to improve the well-being of our entire community. We provide medical support to populations that experience homelessness.

At Cardea, we are dedicated to creating a workplace that celebrates diversity and actively seeks to include underrepresented communities. We believe that diversity drives innovation and fosters a more dynamic, inclusive, and productive work environment. We actively encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply for our open positions. We value your unique perspectives, experiences, and talents, and we are committed to providing equitable opportunities for growth and advancement. Join us in building a team that reflects the rich diversity of our society and let's make a positive impact together.

Primary Work Location:

HYBRID: This is a hybrid position based in the Bay Area. Team members in hybrid roles split their time between remote work and in-person collaboration. In-person work may take place at any of our Bay Area locations, depending on team needs, client services, or program priorities. Hybrid roles are designed to support flexibility while maintaining strong, mission-driven connections across teams and sites.

Job Summary:

The Employee Relations Manager plays a critical role in fostering a healthy, equitable, and legally compliant work environment for all Cardea Health employees. As a visible, onsite member of the People & Culture (P&C) team, this role is responsible for managing employee relations matters, guiding managers on performance and conduct issues, ensuring adherence to employment laws and organizational policies, and promoting equity-focused HR practices. The Employee Relations Manager balances risk mitigation with Cardea’s mission to create inclusive, supportive workplaces where employees can thrive.

Responsibilities:

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Serve as the primary point of contact for managers and employees on employee relations issues

• Conduct impartial investigations into workplace complaints, grievances, and conflicts; document findings and recommend appropriate resolutions

• Provide coaching and guidance to managers on performance management, progressive discipline, and documentation best practices

• Advise on corrective actions and terminations to ensure fairness, equity, and risk mitigation

• Interpret and apply California and federal employment law; recommend policy and practice updates as needed to maintain compliance

• Track and analyze ER data (grievances, disciplinary actions, turnover) to identify trends and recommend proactive interventions

Professional Development & Performance Support

• Partner with managers to integrate development opportunities into performance management and improvement plans

• Support equitable and consistent delivery of performance reviews and feedback processes

• Maintain tools and processes that support employee growth while holding staff accountable to expectations

• Own and execute the performance review process on an annual basis

Equity & Organizational Impact

• Embed Cardea’s equity framework into employee relations practices, ensuring disciplinary actions, investigations, and policy enforcement are applied consistently and fairly across all staff

• Advocate for trauma-informed and restorative approaches in conflict resolution while ensuring accountability

• Provide reports and recommendations to leadership on trends and systemic issues affecting workplace culture

Minimum Required Skills & Qualifications:

• 3–5 years of progressive experience in employee relations, HR generalist, or similar HR role

• Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations and advising on disciplinary actions

• Knowledge of California and federal labor and employment laws, with ability to apply them to workplace scenarios

• Proven ability to manage sensitive employee matters with confidentiality, discretion, and empathy

• Strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills with the ability to coach managers and employees

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting ER-related reports and employee communications

• Proficiency with Microsoft Workspace (Docs, Excel, Outlook, Calendar) or similar tools

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience working in a nonprofit or healthcare environment

• Familiarity with trauma-informed or restorative approaches to employee relations

• Professional HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or similar)

• Experience working in a nonprofit, healthcare, or community-based organization

• Familiarity with trauma-informed or restorative approaches to employee relations

• Strong knowledge of California labor and employment law and related compliance requirements

• Experience contributing to or implementing equity-focused HR practices or DEI initiatives

• Spanish or Tagalog language fluency a plus

• Familiarity with Paycom or similar HRIS platforms

Physical Requirements:

• Occasional sitting or stationary work

• Frequent standing, walking, kneeling, stooping, and ascending stairs

• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 20 lbs

• Frequent pushing and pulling

• Frequent reaching high, low, and level

Work Environment:

• Onsite at supportive housing facilities across the Bay Area. Remote work at the discretion of the direct supervisor

Benefits:

Employees in this role may be eligible for a range of benefits, including

• Employer-supported medical

• Access to dental and vision insurance

• Paid vacation and sick time

• Retirement plan (401k) participation with a company match,

• Commuter benefits

• Long Term Disability

• Life Insurance

• Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on hours worked per week and length of employment

• Specific details are provided in the benefits guide and are subject to change

Cardea Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Cardea Health is committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability, citizenship or veteran status. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the state of California and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities for this role. Activities, duties, or responsibilities may change, or a new job description may be assigned at any time with or without notice.