HR Escalations Sr. Specialist

Location: Nashville, TN (hybrid schedule) OR Remote, USA

Position Overview 

The HR Escalations Sr. Specialist is a salaried, senior professional responsible for managing and resolving HR issues escalated from employees and internal teams across the U.S. and Canada. Reporting to the Sr. Manager, HR Escalations, this role ensures prompt, professional, and compliant handling of employee concerns, policy questions, and workplace conflicts. The position partners closely with HR Business Partners, Employee Relations, Legal, the Workforce Integrity Team (WIT), and business leaders to drive fair, consistent outcomes and to strengthen trust in HR processes. Operating in a hybrid work model, the specialist balances independent case ownership with cross-functional collaboration and contributes to continuous improvement of escalation procedures and employee support experience. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Manage intake, triage and investigations of employee escalations, including concerns, disputes, and policy inquiries; provide guidance, support, and referrals as appropriate. 

• Conduct thorough, confidential investigations; gather facts, document findings, and coordinate with Employee Relations, Legal, WIT, HRBPs, and Operations to drive timely resolution. 

• Own case documentation and case management records with high accuracy and attention to detail; communicate resolution steps and outcomes to employees and stakeholders. 

• Identify trends, root causes, and risk areas; recommend process, policy, and training improvements to reduce escalation volume and enhance employee experience. 

• Develop and maintain playbooks, workflows, and governance documentation to ensure consistent escalation handling across the organization. 

• Interpret company policies and applicable labor laws; assess compliance risks and propose practical solutions balancing employee, business, and regulatory needs. 

• Partner cross-functionally to gather information, mitigate risks, and ensure alignment on outcomes; follow up with employees to confirm resolution and solicit feedback. 

• Uphold confidentiality, discretion, and sound judgment in all matters; escalate high-risk issues to appropriate teams when outside scope. 

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred. 

• Minimum 3 years of experience in HR or related support roles, including at least 2 years handling employee escalations or concerns (e.g., Employee Relations, HR Business Partner, HR Generalist). 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Strong knowledge of HR policies, employment law, and regulatory compliance across U.S. and Canada. 

• Proven investigative skills with the ability to conduct confidential inquiries and present findings and recommendations to leaders. 

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; adept at conflict resolution in both remote and in-person settings. 

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, hybrid environment. 

• Analytical mindset with high attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in case documentation. 

• Proficiency with HR systems and Microsoft Office Suite. 

• Demonstrated discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment when handling sensitive matters. 

Travel Requirements 

Occasional travel may be required for on-site meetings, audits, or legal proceedings. Expected travel is minimal (less than 10%). 

Physical Demands 

• Stationary Position: Frequently 

• Vision: 20/20 corrected vision 

• Hearing: Receive detailed information if spoken to 

Working Conditions 

Hybrid work arrangement with regular, scheduled on-site presence at a designated office and remote work on other days as coordinated with the manager and team needs. On-site presence may be required for team meetings, investigations, audits, or other business-critical activities. Remote work must be performed in a dedicated, professional workspace that supports confidentiality and productivity.