Employee Relations Specialist

About Our Company

Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US and abroad. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Lululemon, and Mitchell & Ness. In addition to our wide assortment, we are the industry leader in on demand customization.

We currently operate 1,300+ brick and mortar locations, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and the two largest MLB franchises, via our Yankees & Dodgers Clubhouse stores. Lids have built partnerships and collaborations with iconic global brands including Marvel/Disney, Playboy, Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack, and Post Malone, creating a community where fans, fashion, and culture collide.

General Position Summary

An Employee Relations Specialist plays a vital role within the Lids Human Resources Department and is responsible for timely responses and resolutions of internal investigations covering a variety of employee matters. This position primarily supports our retail locations throughout the US. As an Employee Relations Specialist, you will be a key partner to our District Sales Managers, as well as other corporate and field partners, for issues needing HR guidance.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts prompt, thorough, and detailed investigations into employee concerns and recommends appropriate actions based on findings through AllVoices Case Management System.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on company policies, procedures, and practices, providing interpretation and advisement on policy and disciplinary matters.
• Coaches, counsels and guides managers on performance and misconduct matters, ensuring consistent application of disciplinary action.
• Manages and tracks employee documentation related to progressive steps of discipline.
• Ensure the timely and accurate processing of employee lifecycle changes (e.g., hires, transfers, promotions, separations), using the company's HR Information System (HRIS).
• Stays abreast of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations to ensure compliance in all employee relations practices and communicate relevant changes to stakeholders.
• Provides timely responses to employees and managers on employee relations matters, policies, procedures, and applicable laws and regulations through the HR ticketing system.
• Participates in the development of Employee Relations team and HR department projects and goals, ensuring alignment with departmental and organizational objectives.
• Assists in monitoring employee relations case and investigation trends to develop proactive solutions.
• Recommend new approaches, policies, and procedures to drive continuous improvement in departmental efficiency, effectiveness, and employee relations practices.
• Collaborates with management and HR leadership by providing information that leads to proactive solutions or action plans that impact policies, processes and procedures.
• Supports the delivery of Talent Development programs such as New Hire Orientation and compliance training.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Job Required Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Communications or related discipline required.
• Minimum of 1 year of direct employee relations experience, including conducting investigations, providing policy interpretation, coaching managers, and supporting disciplinary and performance management processes.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate verbally in a clear, audible, and grammatically correct manner primarily over the phone and through email.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with remote business partners; ability to work closely with people of diverse cultures or backgrounds.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage one’s time and complete multiple projects/tasks simultaneously.
• Meticulous organizational skills necessary to document detailed information, prioritize workload, meet deadlines and goals, and provide timely resolutions.
• Experience in multi-state and Canadian employment laws and practices a plus.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Preferred Job Required Knowledge & Skills

Education

Reports To

Employee Relations Supervisor