Manager Employee Relations & HR Compliance - HR Employee Relations & Compliance - Akron FirstEnergy Headquarters

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced HR Employee Relations Manager to join our team. This role provides strategic leadership for employee relations and HR compliance across a multi-state electric utility with 15 unions. The position oversees HR policies, procedures, and compliance programs, and manages employee concerns. The ideal candidate will have strong labor relations experience, deep knowledge of employment law, and a proven ability to lead with data-driven insights and strategic HR solutions that align with organizational goals and deliver measurable results.

Core Responsibilities:

• Employee Relations Strategy and Case Management
  Lead the employee relations function across a multi-state, unionized utility environment by advising leaders on complex employee matters and ensuring fair, consistent resolution of workplace issues.
  • Manage employee complaints, grievances, workplace disputes, and investigations.
  • Serve as a neutral advisor to leaders and employees on conflict resolution and corrective actions.
  • Guide disciplinary actions, terminations, and performance improvement plans with sound judgment and consistency.
• HR Compliance, Policy, and Risk Management
  Oversee HR compliance programs and policy governance to ensure adherence to employment laws, regulatory requirements, and company standards across jurisdictions.
  • Develop, review, and maintain HR policies, procedures, and employee handbook content.
  • Manage compliance programs such as EEO, ADA, Affirmative Action, background checks, harassment prevention, and required reporting.
  • Partner with HR and legal teams to address compliance risks, interpret regulations, and support audits or investigations.
• Leadership Support, Performance Management, and Training
  Equip leaders with practical HR guidance, tools, and training that strengthen accountability, improve team effectiveness, and support a respectful workplace culture.
  • Advise leaders on coaching, counseling, and performance management practices.
  • Design or support training on harassment prevention, communication, performance management, and related workplace topics.
  • Partner with leadership to improve morale, retention, and organizational readiness during change.
• Team Leadership, Analytics, and Continuous Improvement
  Lead employee relations and compliance team operations while using data and process improvement to increase consistency, efficiency, and business impact.
  • Provide directions to Employee Relations and HR Compliance staff and oversee core processes.
  • Analyze HR metrics and workplace trends to identify gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities.
  • Support broader HR initiatives such as DEI integration, pay equity reviews, promotion process guidance, and workforce continuity planning.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required; master’s degree preferred.
• Experience:
  • Seven or more years of progressive HR experience, including significant responsibility in employee relations and HR compliance.
  • Experience supporting unionized workforces, with working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and labor relations practices.
  • Experience managing HR compliance across multiple states is preferred.
  • Demonstrated success leading workplace investigations, resolving complex employee issues, and developing practical HR policies and processes.
• Skills:
  • Strong knowledge of employment laws and regulations, including EEO, ADA, FMLA, and related compliance requirements.
  • Excellent communication, influencing, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
  • Ability to manage sensitive investigations, assess risk, and provide sound, balanced recommendations.
  • Proficiency with HRIS platforms and Microsoft Office applications.
  • High level of discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment when handling confidential matters.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, apply policy consistently, and build trusted relationships across the organization.

Preferred Certifications:

• SHRM-SCP or SHRM-CP
• SPHR or PHR
• CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist)
• CHRC (Certified Human Resources Compliance Professional)
• Labor Relations Certification

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

Position Classification

Exempt 

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team