Lead Employee Relations Partner

Akumin is a leading provider of outpatient radiology and oncology services, partnering with top hospitals and health systems nationwide to deliver advanced diagnostic imaging and exceptional patient care close to home. With a national footprint, cutting-edge technology, and a strong commitment to innovation and patient-centered care, our teams play a vital role in improving outcomes for millions of patients each year.

We are currently hiring for a Lead Employee Relations Partner to join our team. This role will be fully remote and must be located within the United States.

The Lead Employee Relations Partner serves as the primary subject matter expert responsible for conducting end-to-end, high-complexity workplace investigations and resolving highly sensitive employee relations matters across multi-site operations. Reporting directly to the Senior Manager of Employee Relations, this senior-level individual contributor operates with significant autonomy to conduct meticulous fact-finding, synthesize complex witness testimony and evidence, author comprehensive, legally-defensible investigative reports, and recommend balanced remediation strategies. Additionally, the role provides guidance, technical mentorship, and escalation oversight to junior team members, including the Employee Relations Specialist. 

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Complex & High-Risk Investigations Lead end-to-end formal investigations into escalated allegations, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower reports, ethics violations, and leadership misconduct. Formulate detailed investigation plans, define scopes, identify relevant policies, and draft strategic witness interview frameworks. Conduct highly sensitive, objective interviews with complainants, witnesses, and respondents, maintaining neutrality under high-pressure scenarios. Gather, review, and preserve physical, digital, and circumstantial evidence.
• Defensible Reporting & Documentation Author exhaustive, objective, and timely investigation reports documenting detailed findings of fact, credibility determinations, policy applicability, and root-cause analysis. Maintain rigorous standards for all case files and documentation to ensure compliance with legal regulations and corporate standards, keeping records fully defense ready. Effectively manage and document the progression of cases in the department’s dedicated ER Case Management System
• Executive & Legal Collaboration Partner directly with internal/external Employment Counsel, Compliance, and Senior Operational Leaders to review investigation findings and determine appropriate corrective actions, separations, or operational interventions. Provide expert advisory support to business leaders on complex policy applications and workplace dispute resolutions.
• Root-Cause Analysis, Trend Tracking & Prevention Analyze systemic employee relations case metrics, identifying department-specific and multi-site risk hotspots. Collaborate with wider HR leadership to propose strategic policy revisions, targeted leadership coaching, managerial interventions, and specialized training modules to prevent future issues. 
• Team Mentorship & Tiered Escalations Serve as an informal mentor and technical escalation resource for the Employee Relations Specialist. Review intake categorization and offer guidance on investigative interviewing methodologies, report drafting, and general case management. 

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience
• Minimum of 5 years of dedicated Employee Relations or workplace investigative experience. 
• Industry Experience: Substantial experience handling high-volume, multi-location, or distributed frontline workforces. 
• Advanced, mastery-level knowledge of employment laws and regulations (e.g., Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA).  
• Exceptional investigative interviewing techniques and evidence evaluation methods.       
• Demonstrated ability to remain strictly neutral and objective during highly charged escalations. Flawless written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of authoring clear, concise, and defensible investigative documents.

Preferred Requirements:

• Master's Degree
• Certifications: Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder (AWI-CH), SPHR, or SHRM-SCP.
• Experience utilizing specialized ER case management platforms (e.g., HR Acuity, Navex, ServiceNow HRSD).
• Experience operating within clinical healthcare, diagnostic imaging, oncology solutions, or heavily regulated patient-care environments. 
• Experience with Workday, VMS, or other recruiting/workforce technology.

At Akumin, we invest in the well-being of our employees, so you can bring your best self to work each day. You can expect to see the following benefits: 

• Competitive compensation
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• HSA accounts with employer contributions

• 401(k) eligibility with employer match

• Paid holidays

• Defined PTO and sick time programs

The estimated pay range for this role is $75,000-$100,000. Actual compensation depends on experience, skills, location, and other factors such as internal equity and budget.

Akumin Operating Corp. and its divisions are an equal opportunity employer and we believe in strength through diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, age, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity & expression, status as a protected veteran, or disability.