Senior Manager, Employee Relations

Senior Manager, Employee Relations

The Senior Manager, Employee Relations serves as a trusted advisor to Xeris employees, providing expert guidance on complex employee relations matters while driving a fair, compliant, and high-performance workplace culture within a regulated biopharmaceutical environment. This role partners closely with HR Centers of Excellence, Legal, Compliance, and Business leaders to proactively identify organizational risks, resolve workplace issues, strengthen manager capability, and ensure consistent application of company policies and employment laws.

The Senior Manager leads complex workplace investigations, supports performance management initiatives, and provides guidance on workplace behavior and conflict issues. The ideal candidate brings strong knowledge of employment law and an understanding of regulations impacting the life sciences industry.

Essential Job Functions

• Under the supervision of the Director, Employee Relations, acts as a subject matter expert on employee relations, providing strategic guidance to leaders on complex and sensitive workplace matters.
• Coach leaders through all aspects of performance management including formal coaching letters, corrective actions, difficult conversations and documentation.
• Ensure consistency, fairness, and legal compliance in employment decisions.
• Independently lead complex workplace investigations involving allegations of misconduct, employee conflicts, harassment, discrimination, and policy violations.
• Partner with Legal and Compliance on high risk matters to ensure appropriate resolution and risk mitigation.
• Advise on involuntary terminations, ensuring compliance with employment laws and internal policies.
• Ensure all terminations are submitted into Workday along with any applicable documentation.
• Conduct exit interviews to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for organizational improvement.
• Analyze exit data and provide actionable insights to HR leadership and business partners.
• Support Manager Toolkit training by facilitating training for managers on Employment Law and other modules as needed.
• Create tools, resources, and guidance that strengthen manager capability and promote consistency across the organization.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required. Advanced degree is a plus.
• 7+ years of progressive HR Business Partner/ Employee relations experience required.
• Prior experience supporting a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device or other highly regulated organization is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. employment law and HR best practices.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex investigations and advising senior leaders on high-risk employee matters.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state and local employment laws
• Excellent computer skills required including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Workday knowledge is preferred
• Strong interpersonal, exceptional judgement, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify trends and recommend business focused solutions.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• SHRM, SPHR, or equivalent HR certification preferred.
• Competencies: Strategic thinking, Business Acumen, Influencing without Authority, Sound Judgement, Emotional Intelligence, Conflict resolutions, Collaboration, Integrity and Confidentiality.

Working Conditions

• This is a Hybrid position based in Xeris' Chicago office. A minimum of three business days per week on site is required. On site requirement may change at management's discretion.
• Occasional overnight travel required.
• Air travel required.

The anticipated hourly wage for this position is $155,750-$213,600

We are committed to offering competitive compensation. Starting pay is determined based on a variety of factors, including the role, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, education, internal equity, market data, and the location of the role, where applicable.

Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetics or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified candidates are given equal opportunity and the Company's employment selection decisions are based solely on job-related factors.