Employee Relations Specialist

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000 employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

WORK TYPE: Remote - Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex only

LOCATION DETAILS: To be considered for this role you must reside in the DFW Metroplex and be able to come to our HQ office in Farmers Branch, TX as needed or for occasional meetings.

WORK HOURS: Full time exempt

This role primarily operates during standard business hours; however, flexibility is required to support investigations across the company’s peak seasons for shifts and time zones. Occasional early morning, evening, or weekend availability may be necessary to accommodate operational needs and ensure timely resolution of workplace concerns.

PAY RATE: USD $68,000 - $75,000

The base salary will vary based on criteria such as the education, experience and qualifications of the applicant, location, internal equity, and alignment with the market.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: ~10% primarily local travel with limited out of state. Some business travel may be required.

How You Will Make An Impact

The Employee Relations Specialist is integral in addressing employee concerns, assisting with investigations and formal performance management, and guiding managers and employees on HR policies and procedures. This role collaborates closely with the broader Human Resources team, Legal, and various business partners to manage employee relations matters in a fast-paced environment.

With a focus on equitable resolutions, the Employee Relations Specialist supports a high-performance culture and is proactive, service-excellence driven, and agile in embracing innovative approaches to employee relations.

What You Will Do

• Act as first point of contact for employees and managers on a range of employee relations matters including but not limited to offering high-quality support and guidance on policies, procedures, and workplace best practices to promote positive employee experience.
• Assist with developing the process and scope of the Employee Relations Center of Excellence (COE) and related Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), ensuring alignment with Varsity Brands’ mission, values, and compliance standards.
• Support investigation process by gathering and documenting information, conducting interviews, and collecting evidence in accordance with organizational and legal standards.
• Maintain thorough and organized records for each case through the company’s case management systems.
• Aid in developing and conducting employee relations training programs for managers and employees, ensuring alignment with Varsity Brands’ values and compliance with legal standards.
• Assist Employee Relations Team in investigations and resolving sensitive and complex employee relations issues, ensuring timely outcomes align with the company’s Culture and Inclusion priorities and culture.
• Provide coaching for managers on handling employee relations topics, such as performance management, conflict resolution, and effective communication.
• Serve as lead between HR Business Partner and managers in reviewing, issuing, and concluding formalized performance management.
• Monitor Workday for submitted employee relations concerns and escalate when needed to the Employee Relations team.
• Collaborate effectively across functions to support the goals of the Varsity Brands and ensure consistent employee relations experience.
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Discretion and Privacy: Upholds the highest standards of confidentiality and ethical handling of sensitive information.
• Inspirational Leadership: Proficient in leading teams with a motivational approach that fosters growth and maximizes potential.
• HR Acumen: Extensive knowledge in HR principles including talent management, employee engagement, and performance optimization.
• Relationship Building: Strong ability to build trusted relationships across various business units.
• Communication and Influence: Exceptional communication skills (including presentation skills), both written and verbal, with the ability to engage and influence diverse audiences.
• Critical Thinking: Advanced problem-solving skills to handle complex scenarios and devise effective solutions.
• Language Proficiency - Bilingual in English and Spanish Preferred.
  
  

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Professional HR Certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR) preferred.
• Professional ER Certification (e.g., AWIC, CERP, CLRP) nice to have.
• Minimum 2 years of employee relations, performance management, employment separations, and investigations experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of state and U.S. employment laws including Title VII, ADEA, ADA, including California employment laws.
• Experience consulting enterprise business partners as it relates to employee relations initiatives; experience with maintaining an effective level of business literacy.
• Confident and proactive, with a focus on superb employee care and empathy.
• Strong coaching and facilitation skills, with a proven track record of developing talent and enhancing team performance across various regions and skill levels.
• Strong initiative and the ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Prior experience with Workday Help or similar case management system.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: MS OneNote, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel, MS Word, MS Teams, MS SharePoint, and MS Outlook.
  
  

Physical Requirements

This job operates in a professional office environment. Largely a sedentary role with some filing requiring the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending or standing on a stool as necessary. The ability to sit or stand for long periods through meetings and while operating office equipment, PC’s, laptop, telephone will be required.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.

Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.

Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.

Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.

Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.

Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

Our Benefits

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Varsity Brands Ownership Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!
  
  

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.