Job Description
Be an Early Applicant
Milwaukee WI USA
Hybrid
81K-140K Annually
Senior level
Fintech • Insurance • Financial Services
Start-Up Vibes with The Stability of a Fortune 100 Company.
The Role
The Employee Relations Consultant provides expert advisory services on complex employee relations matters leads investigations and supports labor relations strategies and negotiations. They guide HR partners on risk management while coaching teams to enhance capabilities.
Summary Generated by Built In
About the Role:
The Employee Relations Consultant serves as an enterprise-level advisor and subject matter expert providing independent consultative guidance on complex and high-risk employee relations matters. This role operates with significant autonomy and judgment advising leaders HR partners and cross-functional stakeholders on sensitive workforce issues that require a balance of legal risk mitigation business outcomes and employee experience. The ER consultant is accountable for end-to-end leadership of employee relations investigations.
The ER Consultant leads and influences outcomes in situations involving elevated complexity ambiguity or reputational risk and plays a key role in building organizational and HR capability through coaching consultation and continuous improvement.
What You'll Do:
What You'll Bring to the Role:
Skills:
Customer Centricity
Applies a customer first mindset to design and continuously improve solutions systems processes and services that support enterprise strategy impact critical business outcomes and drive organizational success.
HR Ethics
Demonstrates commitment to ethical practice of HR by navigating situations ranging from managing private employee information to protecting the organization reputation and fostering a culture of trust and loyalty. Practices transparency accountability and empathy in decision-making processes.
Dispute Resolution
Resolves conflicts or disagreements between parties. Identifies the issues at hand understands the perspectives of all parties involved and uses effective communication and negotiation skills to find a mutually acceptable solution.
Organizational Dynamics
Understands human behavior motivations and cognition to effectively manage employee relations recruitment and training and development. Applies psychological principles in areas such as performance management conflict resolution and organizational culture to foster a positive and productive work environment.
Policy & Procedure
Analyzes current policies and procedures identifies gaps or areas for improvement and develops and implements new policies and procedures to address those gaps. Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards as well as effectively communicates policies and procedures to employees and stakeholders. Understands the various components of a workflow identifies bottlenecks and implements improvements to increase productivity reduce costs and streamline operations.
Risk Management
Identifies risks and conducts risk analysis prioritizes risks based on level of severity ensures appropriate reporting monitoring and control of risks. Drives recommendations and consulting to work towards a resolution. Provides transparency around risks and communicates status and outcomes to appropriate stakeholders.
#LI-Hybrid #LI-Onsite
Compensation Range:
Pay Range - Start:
$81280.00
Pay Range - End:
$121920.00
Geographic Specific Pay Structure:
Structure 110:
$89440.00 USD - $134160.00 USD
Structure 115:
$93440.00 USD - $140160.00 USD
We believe in fairness and transparency. It's why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However final salaries are based on a number of factors including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you're living in California New York City or other eligible location geographic specific pay structures compensation and benefits could be applicable click here to learn more.
Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!
Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer who welcomes and encourages diversity in the workforce. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas seek challenges assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.
Skills
Dispute Resolution (NM) - Advanced Risk Management (NM) - Advanced Customer Centricity (NM) - Advanced Prioritization (NM) - Intermediate Technical & Digital Acumen (NM) - Intermediate Investigation Acumen (NM) - Intermediate Emotional Intelligence (NM) - Intermediate Strategic Thinking (NM) - Beginner Cross Functional Partnering & Planning (NM) - Intermediate Organizational & Political Savvy (NM) - Intermediate Policy & Procedure (NM) - Advanced Project Management (NM) - Intermediate Adaptive Communication (NM) - Intermediate HR Ethics (NM) - Advanced Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM) - Intermediate Crisis Management (NM) - Intermediate Negotiation & Managing Objection (NM) - Intermediate Statutes & Regulation (NM) - Intermediate Data Collection & Analysis (NM) - Intermediate Organizational Dynamics (NM) - Advanced
FIND YOUR FUTURE
We're excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks benefits and our commitment to a culture of belonging.
The Employee Relations Consultant serves as an enterprise-level advisor and subject matter expert providing independent consultative guidance on complex and high-risk employee relations matters. This role operates with significant autonomy and judgment advising leaders HR partners and cross-functional stakeholders on sensitive workforce issues that require a balance of legal risk mitigation business outcomes and employee experience. The ER consultant is accountable for end-to-end leadership of employee relations investigations.
The ER Consultant leads and influences outcomes in situations involving elevated complexity ambiguity or reputational risk and plays a key role in building organizational and HR capability through coaching consultation and continuous improvement.
What You'll Do:
- Enterprise ER Consulting & Risk Management
- Serve as a trusted consultant on medium- to high-risk employee relations matters including allegations of harassment discrimination retaliation workplace misconduct and complex performance or behavioral concerns.
- Provide strategic defensible guidance to leaders and HR partners on risk mitigation corrective action and disciplinary decisions ensuring alignment with employment law company policy and enterprise values.
- Exercise independent judgment in navigating situations where legal exposure business priorities and employee experience intersect.
- Labor Relations
- Participates in formulating labor relations strategies policies and practices to support employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
- Represents the Company during contract negotiations as part of the team; helps shape negotiation strategy prioritize issues and draft proposals/counterproposals that advance business objectives.
- Serves as day-to-day liaison with the Union to administer and interpret the CBA consistently; monitors trends practices and internal policies to ensure aligned application.
- Leads cross-functional teams to design or improve labor-related programs policies and processes in alignment with our employee experience.
- Acts as a labor relations subject-matter expert (SME); partners with HR leadership legal and other key stakeholders to assess risk and determine approaches for complex labor matters.
- Investigations & Issue Resolution
- Lead or contribute to end-to-end complex workplace investigations including matters involving senior leaders sensitive allegations or potential legal financial or reputational risk.
- Conduct advanced interviews assess credibility analyze evidence and produce clear well-reasoned findings and recommendations suitable for executive and legal review.
- Consultative Enablement & Capability Building
- Coach guide and influence HR Advisors and less-experienced ER team members strengthening ER capability and decision quality across the HR ecosystem.
- Strategic Projects & Continuous Improvement
- Lead or participate in employee relations projects and enterprise priorities including policy development training design and process improvements.
- Identify emerging ER trends and risks translating insights into proactive recommendations that improve leader effectiveness employee experience and organizational resilience.
- Enterprise Partnership & Change Support
- Provide ER expertise during organizational change reductions in force or other high-impact employee events partnering closely with Business HR Legal Compliance and HR leadership.
- Act as a key advisor on high-visibility or escalated matters influencing outcomes without direct authority.
- Review and provide oversight on ER recommendations developed by others for higher-risk or escalated cases ensuring consistency quality and sound risk judgment.
What You'll Bring to the Role:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Business or a related field.
- 5+ years of progressive experience in employee relations HR consulting and conducting workplace investigations including regular exposure to high-risk or complex matters.
- Demonstrated labor relations experience including experience leading or participating in negotiations of Collective Bargaining Agreements handling grievances and/or resolving unfair labor practice claims.
- Strong working knowledge of employment laws and regulations (e.g. Title VII NLRA ADA FMLA FLSA OSHA and applicable state and local laws).
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex cases and investigations with minimal oversight.
- Proven success operating in ambiguous environments where judgment influence and enterprise perspective are critical.
- Ability to influence leaders and stakeholders without direct authority using sound reasoning and credibility.
- Strong analytical decision-making and risk-assessment skills.
- Advanced written communication skills including drafting investigation reports executive-level summaries and risk assessments.
- High level of discretion confidentiality emotional intelligence and resilience when handling sensitive or contentious matters.
- Strong prioritization and case-management capability in a fast-paced environment.
- Proactive consultative mindset with the ability to identify and assess any emerging risks or trends
- PHR SPHR strongly preferred
- Master's degree in Human Resources or Labor Relations preferred
Skills:
Customer Centricity
Applies a customer first mindset to design and continuously improve solutions systems processes and services that support enterprise strategy impact critical business outcomes and drive organizational success.
HR Ethics
Demonstrates commitment to ethical practice of HR by navigating situations ranging from managing private employee information to protecting the organization reputation and fostering a culture of trust and loyalty. Practices transparency accountability and empathy in decision-making processes.
Dispute Resolution
Resolves conflicts or disagreements between parties. Identifies the issues at hand understands the perspectives of all parties involved and uses effective communication and negotiation skills to find a mutually acceptable solution.
Organizational Dynamics
Understands human behavior motivations and cognition to effectively manage employee relations recruitment and training and development. Applies psychological principles in areas such as performance management conflict resolution and organizational culture to foster a positive and productive work environment.
Policy & Procedure
Analyzes current policies and procedures identifies gaps or areas for improvement and develops and implements new policies and procedures to address those gaps. Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards as well as effectively communicates policies and procedures to employees and stakeholders. Understands the various components of a workflow identifies bottlenecks and implements improvements to increase productivity reduce costs and streamline operations.
Risk Management
Identifies risks and conducts risk analysis prioritizes risks based on level of severity ensures appropriate reporting monitoring and control of risks. Drives recommendations and consulting to work towards a resolution. Provides transparency around risks and communicates status and outcomes to appropriate stakeholders.
#LI-Hybrid #LI-Onsite
Compensation Range:
Pay Range - Start:
$81280.00
Pay Range - End:
$121920.00
Geographic Specific Pay Structure:
Structure 110:
$89440.00 USD - $134160.00 USD
Structure 115:
$93440.00 USD - $140160.00 USD
We believe in fairness and transparency. It's why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However final salaries are based on a number of factors including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you're living in California New York City or other eligible location geographic specific pay structures compensation and benefits could be applicable click here to learn more.
Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!
Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer who welcomes and encourages diversity in the workforce. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas seek challenges assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.
Skills
Dispute Resolution (NM) - Advanced Risk Management (NM) - Advanced Customer Centricity (NM) - Advanced Prioritization (NM) - Intermediate Technical & Digital Acumen (NM) - Intermediate Investigation Acumen (NM) - Intermediate Emotional Intelligence (NM) - Intermediate Strategic Thinking (NM) - Beginner Cross Functional Partnering & Planning (NM) - Intermediate Organizational & Political Savvy (NM) - Intermediate Policy & Procedure (NM) - Advanced Project Management (NM) - Intermediate Adaptive Communication (NM) - Intermediate HR Ethics (NM) - Advanced Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM) - Intermediate Crisis Management (NM) - Intermediate Negotiation & Managing Objection (NM) - Intermediate Statutes & Regulation (NM) - Intermediate Data Collection & Analysis (NM) - Intermediate Organizational Dynamics (NM) - Advanced
FIND YOUR FUTURE
We're excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks benefits and our commitment to a culture of belonging.
- Flexible work schedules
- Concierge service
- Comprehensive benefits
- Employee resource groups
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Business or a related field.
- 5+ years of progressive experience in employee relations and HR consulting.
- Demonstrated labor relations experience including leading CBAs negotiations.
- Strong working knowledge of employment laws and regulations.
- PHR SPHR strongly preferred
- Master's degree in Human Resources or Labor Relations preferred
What the Team is Saying
Northwestern Mutual Compensation & Benefits Highlights
- Retirement Support—A dual 401(k) plus cash balance pension provides company-funded credits with a guaranteed minimum interest credit and vesting (one year for the 401(k) and three years for the cash balance). Plan design in 2025–2026 emphasized employer funding via an added cash‑balance credit and a 4% company 401(k) contribution option.
- Healthcare Strength—Medical dental and vision coverage are complemented by on‑site Mutual Health Centers (WI/NY) and nationwide virtual primary care. Lyra mental‑health services and on‑site fitness centers or reimbursements extend well‑being support.
- Parental & Family Support—Fully paid parental leave caregiving leave and fertility surrogacy and adoption assistance are provided. These sit alongside paid vacation/holidays and volunteer time to support families.
Northwestern Mutual Insights
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The Company
HQ: Milwaukee WI
8400 Employees
Year Founded: 1857
What We Do
You’ll Like It Here At Northwestern Mutual we believe that our lives and our work matter. And that doing what’s right is good for everyone. We follow through by designing tech that improves the community and cultivating creative ways to make finance accessible anywhere. These guiding principles have allowed our company to grow for more than 160 years. Here you’ll be with a team who emphasizes integrity and prioritizes security to design experiences that better everyone. You’ll work in cross functional teams to create optimal solutions that are rooted in innovative strategy and thoughtful execution. And you’re provided development tools and opportunities to become a leader all with the support of a collaborative team. You’ll be surrounded in a culture that values innovation and works to always evolve to stay ahead of trends and client needs. We are intentional in seeking out team members who will challenge us. Our employees choose us for the career opportunities commitment to philanthropy and desire to have a meaningful impact in the lives of our clients. You have career passions and goals. We have ambition and opportunity for you to grow your future in tech. Discover today: https://careers.northwesternmutual.com/
Why Work With Us
We invest in our people. We know careers are about choices so we provide intentional opportunity. Here you can build creative ways to make finance accessible anywhere and revolutionize traditional processes. As a mutual company our focus is our people — whether professional development or investments in the community.
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Northwestern Mutual Teams
Northwestern Mutual Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
We offer a flexible hybrid approach for our employees . Teams are in the office a few days a week and work from home the others.
Typical time on-site: Flexible
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Fintech • Insurance • Financial Services
Hybrid
Milwaukee WI USA
8400 Employees
119K-205K Annually
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Date Posted
05/20/2026
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