Employee Relations Manager

Long Beach, California, United States

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in May 2026. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is looking for an Employee Relations Manager to oversee and manage employee relations matters with a focus on ensuring compliance with company policies, employment laws, and regulations. This role involves conducting comprehensive investigations, resolving workplace conflicts, and partnering with internal stakeholders to promote a fair, ethical, and inclusive work environment. This role will also oversee compliance and the development of policies. The ideal candidate will possess strong investigative skills, sound judgment, and a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risk.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located onsite in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities: 

  • Lead and manage complex and sensitive workplace investigations. 
  • Provide thought leadership to the team of People Business Partners; operate as a Center of Excellence.
  •  Ensure investigations are conducted thoroughly, objectively, and in compliance with company policies and applicable employment laws. 
  • Document investigation processes, ndings, and conclusions effectively, ensuring detailed case management. 
  • Analyze case notes and prepare comprehensive executive summaries. ● Provide recommendations on appropriate corrective actions, discipline, or policy changes following investigations. 
  • Collaborate with Legal, People Business Partners, and senior, and C-level business leaders to resolve employee relations issues while ensuring consistency and fairness. 
  •  Ensure consistent application of company policies and procedures across all departments. 
  • Stay current with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations to ensure organizational compliance. 
  • Conduct audits and assessments to evaluate potential risk areas and recommend improvements to minimize legal exposure. 
  • Maintain detailed records of investigations, including key ndings, timelines, and outcomes. 
  • Enhance reporting tools to analyze trends, identify risk patterns, and recommend proactive solutions. 
  • Present ndings and insights to C-level leadership to support decision-making and risk mitigation strategies. 
  • Conduct regular reviews of the employee handbook to ensure compliance with employment laws and industry best practices. 
  • Collaborate with legal counsel to ensure policies reect current legal requirements and risk management considerations. 
  • Ensure all policies are written in clear and accessible language for employees at all levels. 
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions related to handbook policies. 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • 10+years of progressive experience in employee relations, investigations, or compliance roles. 
  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, related fields or equivalent years of experience. 
  • Strong knowledge of employment laws , including wage & hour, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, and EEO regulations. 

Preferred Skills & Experience:

  • Exceptional investigative skills, including interviewing, documentation, and analysis. 
  • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and professionalism. 
  • Strong conflict resolution and mediation skills. 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders across various organizational levels. 
  •  Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a high performing and fast-paced environment. 

Additional Requirements: 

  • This role may require occasional travel for investigations or meetings 
  • Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones 

Pay Range: 

  • Senior Employee Relations Manager: $105,000 - $150,000 
  •  Staff Employee Relations Manager: $130,000 - $175,000

Salary Range: California

$105,000 - $175,000 USD

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
 
Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.
 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

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The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise be considered for deemed export licensing. To assist Vast in assessing its export compliance obligations in relation to your application, please identify which ITAR/EAR status applies to you:

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