Lead & Labor Relations Specialist; Lead Investigator

Overview

Lead Employee & Labor Relations Specialist (Lead Employment Investigator) serves as a senior‑level advisor, program lead, and subject‑matter expert responsible for the most complex, sensitive, and high‑impact ER/LR matters across the organization. This role leads enterprise‑level employment investigations, oversees labor relations processes, contributes to negotiation strategy, and drives ER/LR program development, including policies, toolkits, reporting standards, and systemic improvements.

• Lead enterprise‑level employment investigations, oversee labor relations processes, contribute to negotiation strategy, and drive ER/LR program development, including policies, toolkits, reporting standards, and systemic improvements.
• Manage a portfolio of complex cases, provide mentorship, oversight, and quality assurance to ER/LR Specialists and Senior Specialists ensuring consistency and alignment with organizational goals.
• Partner with Legal, Security, Risk Management, Corporate Compliance, HR leadership, and senior operational leaders on labor/employment strategy, risk mitigation, and culture‑building efforts.
• Leverage data, trends, case analytics, and workforce insights to inform decision‑making and shape organizational strategies.
• Lead risk assessments and partner on enterprise‑level initiatives to strengthen culture and mitigate organizational exposure.
• Use trends, analytics, and case metrics to inform leadership decisions and organization‑wide interventions.
• Lead the most sensitive, high‑impact investigations involving multiple stakeholders, cross‑department concerns, or significant legal exposure.
• Serve as a senior advisor to leaders, HRBPs, HR COEs and Legal on complex ER/LR issues.
• Lead grievance strategy/process and represent management in discussions with union representatives.
• Support negotiation planning, including issue tracking, costing analysis, proposal development, and historical case review.
• Facilitate labor‑management meetings and support resolution of ongoing labor issues.
• Lead development of ER/LR programs, toolkits, templates, policies, and workflows.
• Oversee consistency and quality across ER/LR investigations and case management.
• Develop and deliver enterprise‑wide training for leaders, team members, and HR colleagues.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and direction to ER/LR Specialists and Senior Specialists.
• Support the Director of Employee & Labor Relations in operational planning and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Minimum Education – Bachelor’s Degree in human resources or related field. Juris Doctorate (J.D.) preferred.
• Minimum Work Experience – 8 years progressive employee/labor relations, HR investigations, or HR experience with significant exposure to complex employment investigations and/or labor relations; 3 years healthcare or hospital experience preferred.
• Required Skills & Knowledge – Deep expertise in labor/employment law and ER/LR best practices with emphasis on healthcare and unionized settings; proven ability to lead high‑risk investigations and influence resolution outcomes; strong strategic thinking and program development capabilities; advanced communication, coaching, facilitation, relationship management; ability to oversee case quality and mentor HR colleagues; data analytics proficiency; experience with HRIS, case management, and data analytics systems (e.g., People Soft, Workday, HR Acuity, Service Now, Power
  
  BI, Kronos).

Childrens National Hospital is an equal opportunity employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The “Know Your Rights” poster is available here: the pay transparency policy is available here:
Know Your Rights Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster.

Children’s National Hospital maintains a drug‑free workplace free from the illegal use, possession or distribution of controlled substances. Please note that it is the policy of Children's National Hospital to ensure a “drug‑free” work environment, including prohibition of recreational or prescribed marijuana.