Sr. Regional HR/Employee Relations Partner - Durham, NC

Job Overview:

TheSenior Regional HR/Employee Relations Partnerleads the delivery of complex regional HR initiatives and serves as a trusted strategic advisor to senior leaders and people managers. This role has astrong emphasis on employee relations, including managing high-volume and high-risk cases, conducting investigations, and influencing outcomes that balance compliance, culture, and business priorities.

The role is instrumental in shaping regional HR practices, resolving complex employee relations issues, and building durable manager capability through coaching, education, and accountability.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Employee Relations & Case Management (Primary Focus)

• Lead and managecomplex, high-risk employee relations casesfrom intake through resolution, including investigations, performance management, disciplinary action, accommodations, grievances, and involuntary separations.
• Conduct or overseethorough, impartial investigationsinvolving sensitive issues such as harassment, discrimination, retaliation, ethics concerns, and policy violations.
• Provide expert guidance to leaders onrisk assessment, mitigation strategies, and defensible decision-makingaligned with employment law and company values.
• Ensure consistent application of policies while applying sound judgment in nuanced and ambiguous situations.
• Maintain accurate documentation and case records, ensuring compliance with internal standards and external regulatory requirements.
• Identify ER trends and root causes, using data and case insights to inform proactive interventions and policy enhancements.

Strategic HR Partnership

• Lead the implementation ofregional HR strategies and change initiativeswith measurable business and people outcomes.
• Partner closely with senior leaders to addressworkforce risk, engagement, and culture-related challenges.
• Advise leaders on organizational decisions with ER implications, including restructures, role changes, reductions in force, and workforce transitions.
• Balance short-term resolution needs with long-term organizational health and leadership effectiveness.

Manager Enablement & Capability Building

• Coach people managers at all levels oneffective employee relations practices, including performance conversations, documentation, conflict resolution, and inclusive leadership behaviors.
• Design and delivermanager enablement programsfocused on ER fundamentals, policy application, and risk prevention.
• Strengthen accountability by helping leaders understand their role in creating compliant, respectful, and high-performing teams.

Policy, Compliance & Regional Expertise

• Interpret and adapt HR policies to meetlegal, cultural, and business needsacross the region.
• Serve as aregional subject matter experton employee relations, employment law fundamentals, and emerging workplace trends.
• Stay current on federal, state, and local employment regulations and translate changes into practical guidance for leaders.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, and HR Centers of Excellence to ensure alignment and consistency.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Act as a key liaison with HR COEs (Employee Relations, Legal, Talent, Total Rewards, DEI) to ensure cohesive delivery of HR solutions.
• May lead HR initiatives for aspecific function or business segmentwithin the region.
• Serve as a role model for professionalism, discretion, and ethical decision-making.

Qualifications (Minimum Required):

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant academic qualification
• Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience in lieu of educational requirements.

Experience (Minimum Required):

• Minimum of5 years of progressive HR experience, withat least 3 years of direct employee relations experiencemanaging complex cases.
• Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations and advising leaders on sensitive employee matters.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. employment laws and ER best practices.

This is a Hybrid role, must be within driving distance to the Durham, NC office

Pay Range: $85,000-$100,000 (The range does not include benefits, and if applicable, bonus, commission, or equity)

Benefits: All job offers will be based on a candidate's skills and prior relevant experience, applicable degrees/certifications, as well as internal equity and market data. Regular, full-time or part-time employees working 20 or more hours per week are eligible for comprehensive benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD/LTD, 401(K), ESPP, Paid time off (PTO) or Flexible time off (FTO), and Company bonus where applicable. For more detailed information, please click here.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently stationary for 6-8 hours per day.
• Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Occasional crouching, stooping, with frequent bending and twisting of upper body and neck.
• Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.

#LI-LL1

Application deadline: March 15, 2026

Learn more about our EEO & Accommodations request here.