Employee Relations Consultant

Brand:

Bagel Brands

Bagel Brands is the parent company for your favorite breakfast brands, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Bruegger's Bagels, Noah's NY Bagels, and Manhattan Bagel. We believe in the bagel and how it has the unique ability to bring people together. Our team has a standard set of values and behaviors that allow us to spread a little more joy and happiness in the world. They let us laugh, smile, and enjoy each other’s company a little more. These are the behaviors that guide how we work, how we treat each other, and how we treat our guests. We believe that there is no better way to make someone’s day than with a warm, fresh-baked bagel and a heart-felt good morning.

The Employee Relations Consultant partners with field leaders and People Business Partners to address employee relations concerns, conduct investigations, and drive fair, consistent, and compliant resolution of workplace issues across the organization. This role serves as the primary employee relations resource for field operations, while also supporting complex or sensitive Support Center employee relations matters as needed.

In alignment with Bagel Brands’ Mission, Vision, and Values, this role promotes a culture of respect, accountability, and integrity while ensuring employee concerns are addressed thoughtfully, consistently, and in compliance with company policies and applicable laws.

Department:

Human Resources

Reporting to

Senior Director, Human Resources

Annual Salary Range:

$93,000 to $103,000

Annual Bonus:

10%

To foster collaboration, innovation, and team engagement, this position is located in Denver, CO. Address: 1720 S. Bellaire Street, Skybox suite, Denver, CO 80222\.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Employee Relations Consulting \& Case Management

• Serve as the primary employee relations subject matter expert for field operations, supporting high-volume, geographically dispersed teams.
• Manage a varied and high-volume caseload of employee relations issues, ensuring timely, consistent, and compliant resolution.
• Partner with People Business Partners and field leaders to assess concerns and recommend appropriate resolution strategies.
• Provide coaching and guidance to leaders on handling employee relations matters, including performance concerns, conduct issues, and workplace conflict.
• Balance business needs with risk management to drive practical, effective outcomes.
• Provide guidance and support on complex, sensitive, or high-risk employee relations matters within the Support Center as needed.

Investigations \& Hotline Management

• Lead complex and high-risk investigations related to Employee Hotline complaints, Code of Conduct concerns, and policy violations across both field and Support Center populations.
• Conduct thorough, objective investigations, including interviews, documentation review, and fact-finding.
• Ensure investigations are completed in a timely, consistent, and legally compliant manner.
• Document findings and provide clear, actionable recommendations for resolution.
• Familiarity with interpreting and applying legal guidelines for daily operational tasks.

Compliance, Risk \& Policy Guidance

• Ensure employee relations practices align with federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as company policies and standards.
• Exercise strong judgment in assessing risk and determining appropriate escalation, including partnership with Legal and senior People leadership when necessary.
• Stay current on employment law and regulatory updates, translating changes into practical guidance for leaders and stakeholders.
• Partner with Legal, Payroll, and People teams to ensure consistency, compliance, and effective risk mitigation.

Trends, Insights \& Prevention

• Identify trends and themes across employee relations cases and provide insights to People and business leaders.
• Partner with stakeholders to develop training, resources, and proactive solutions that address recurring issues and reduce risk.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of employee relations programs, tools, and processes.
• Support initiatives that enhance employee experience, retention, and workplace culture.
• Ability to recognize potential legal issues and escalate to in-house counsel as needed.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborate closely with People Business Partners, Legal, Operations, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and consistency in approach.
• Support enterprise People initiatives and special projects related to employee relations, compliance, and culture.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES (INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTOR)

• Effective Communication: Communicates clearly, professionally, and with discretion when handling sensitive employee relations matters.
• Accountability \& Ownership: Takes ownership of cases and investigations, ensuring timely, thorough, and well-documented outcomes.
• Adaptability \& Perseverance: Manages multiple priorities and complex situations in a fast-paced environment while maintaining sound judgment.
• Empowerment: Supports leaders by providing guidance, tools, and coaching that enable effective decision-making and issue resolution.
• Curiosity: Seeks to understand root causes of issues and identifies opportunities for prevention and continuous improvement.
• Self-Awareness: Exercises sound judgment, professionalism, and confidentiality when handling sensitive situations and interactions.

Required Knowledge, Skills, \& Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Legal or related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 3–6 years of Human Resources experience, with direct experience in employee relations, investigations, or advising leaders on workplace issues.
• Proven ability to foster a diverse and inclusive environment, with sensitivity to the needs of individuals from diverse protected backgrounds.
• Strong working knowledge of federal and state employment laws, including Title VII, ADEA, ADAAA, and FMLA.
• Proven ability to manage complex and sensitive employee relations matters.
• Strong consulting, coaching, and influencing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and cases in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR systems.

Preferred:

• PHR or SPHR certification.
• California Employee Law knowledge

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This role requires the ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods, participate in meetings, and communicate effectively with team members and leaders. These requirements may be met with or without reasonable accommodation.

The duties of this position may change from time to time. The Company reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the Company or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed and is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Bagel Brands is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and fair treatment in employment for all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

• Ranges reflect what employer reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for such position.

Address: \| 1720 S Bellaire St. Skybox , Denver, Colorado 80222 \|

The physical demands for this position are sits, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours. These physical requirements may be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodations.

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Bagel Brands reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the company or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Bagel Brands is committed to providing equal employment opportunity, and fair treatment in employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender/gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, military status or any other basis in protected by applicable federal, state and local law. Bagel Brands makes employment decisions based solely on qualifications for the position.