Director - Employee Relations

The Director of Employee Relations provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for a team of senior employee relations representatives and HR specialists distributed across multiple hospitals and facilities throughout New Mexico. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining employee relations programs and practices that support a positive work environment, ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies, and align with Presbyterian Healthcare Services mission and values.

 

Why work at Presbyterian?

As an organization, we are committed to improving the health of our communities. From hosting growers' markets to partnering with local communities, Presbyterian is taking active steps to improve the health of New Mexicans. For our employees, we offer a robust wellness program, including free access to our on-site and community-based gyms, nutrition coaching and classes, wellness challenges and more.

 

Presbyterian's story is really the story of the remarkable people who choose to work here. The hard work of our physicians, nurses, employees, board members and volunteers grew Presbyterian from a tiny tuberculosis sanatorium to a statewide healthcare system that serves more than 875,000 New Mexicans.

 

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required; Masters degree preferred.
• Professional certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR) strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive HR experience.
• 5 years in an employee relations leadership capacity preferred.
• Proven experience managing and developing geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Healthcare industry experience preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly across the state of New Mexico to support on-site teams and hospital leadership.

• Lead and develop a high-performing, geographically dispersed team of senior employee relations professionals and HR specialists supporting on-site employees across PHS hospitals and facilities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to operational and HR leaders on complex employee relations matters, including conflict resolution, performance management, investigations, disciplinary actions, and terminations.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve employee relations strategies, policies, and procedures to ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance with federal and state employment laws.
• Monitor trends, analyze data, and provide insights to proactively identify and address workplace issues, mitigate risk, and foster a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Oversee and, when appropriate, directly conduct or manage sensitive workplace investigations, ensuring thoroughness, confidentiality, and appropriate resolution.
• Build strong relationships with leaders and employees across the system, fostering open communication and trust.
• Partner with legal counsel, compliance, and other stakeholders as needed to address complex employment matters.
• Design and deliver training and educational programs to leaders and staff on employee relations topics, workplace conduct, and best practices.
• Support change management initiatives and organizational development efforts to enhance employee engagement and workplace culture.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, employment legislation, and best practices in employee relations.
• Ensure consistent and timely documentation and reporting of employee relations cases and metrics.

We offer more than the standard benefits!

Presbyterian employees gain access to a robust wellness program, including free access to our on-site and community-based gyms, nutrition coaching and classes, wellness challenges and more!

Learn more about our employee benefits:

https://www.phs.org/careers/why-work-with-us/benefits

About Presbyterian Healthcare Services

Presbyterian Healthcare Services exists to improve the health of patients, members and the communities we serve. We are a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system of nine hospitals, a statewide health plan and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Founded in New Mexico in 1908, we are the state's largest private employer with nearly 14,000 employees - including more than 1,600 providers and nearly 4,700 nurses.

Our health plan serves more than 580,000 members statewide and offers Medicare Advantage, Medicaid (Centennial Care) and Commercial health plans.

About Our Regional Delivery System

Presbyterian's Regional Delivery System is a network of six hospitals and medical centers throughout rural New Mexico including locations in Clovis, Espanola, Ruidoso, Santa Fe, Socorro and Tucumcari. Our regional facilities are home to more than 1,600 clinical and non-clinical employees who help make Presbyterian the state's largest private employer with nearly 14,000 statewide employees. With a variety of services ranging from general surgery to pediatrics to heart and cancer care, our regional employees are proud to provide close-to-home care for their communities.

 

We are part of New Mexico's history - and committed to its future. That is why we will continue to work just as hard and care just as deeply to serve New Mexico for years to come.

About New Mexico

New Mexico continues to grow steadily in population and features a low cost-of living.

Varied landscapes bring filmmakers here from around the world to capture a slice of the natural beauty New Mexicans enjoy every day. Our landscapes are as diverse as our culture - from mountains, forests, canyons, and lakes, to caverns, hot springs and sand dunes.

 

New Mexico offers endless recreational opportunities to explore and enjoy an active lifestyle. Venture off the beaten path, challenge your body in the elements, or open yourself up to the expansive sky. From hiking, golfing and biking to skiing, snowboarding and boating, it's all available among our beautiful wonders of the west.

AA/EOE/VET/DISABLED. PHS is a drug-free and tobacco-free employer with smoke free campuses.

USD $91.30/Hr.

The compensation range for this role takes into account a wide range of factors, including but not limited to experience and training, internal equity, and other business and organizational needs.