Employee Relations Director

Scion Executive Search has been retained to identify an incoming Director of Employee Relations on behalf of our client, Fello, a nonprofit dedicated to serving children and adults with disabilities throughout Anne Arundel County and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Fello’s mission is to support people with disabilities to live the lives they choose by creating opportunities, promoting respect and equity, and providing access to services.

Fello is looking for an empathetic, effective people manager to elevate the growth and practices of the organization’s human resources. Reporting to the VP of People & Culture, this full-time, on-site opportunity is for immediate hire and is based in Linthicum, Maryland.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director of Employee Relations will provide strategic leadership and oversight of all employee relations processes and discoveries, engagement initiatives, and retention efforts. This role is essential in advancing the mission and values of Fello by fostering a work environment that supports the development, well-being, and effectiveness of all employees.

As a key member of both the Expanded Executive Leadership Team and the Leadership Council, this position plays a critical role in shaping and sustaining a positive and inclusive employee experience. In partnership with the Director of People Operations, this role also serves as the organization’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Workplace Accommodations Officer.

ABOUT THE FELLO:

Fello began in 1961, founded by a group of parents who wanted equity, access, and opportunity for their children. At our core, Fello believes that people with disabilities deserve the same opportunities for self-determination and self-advocacy as any other community member. Our commitment to equity and access has led us to build services that people with disabilities tell us they need to live the life of their choosing.

Responding to that need, Fello has grown to support more than 4,000 people with disabilities and their families throughout Maryland, providing comprehensive programs and services that support the full spectrum of a person's life, from birth through retirement, and all the joys and opportunities in between. All our programs and services are designed to empower and support people with disabilities and provide greater self-determination in how they live, work, and connect with their communities.

Fello partnered with employees from across the organization and within the community to develop value statements (above) that reflect who we are as an organization and how we approach our work.

What's unique about Fello is our focus on innovation, commitment to community-based services, and tremendous growth. Fello is an entrepreneurial organization, and strongly values innovation informed by community needs. It is the driving force behind the growth of and the development of new programs, services, and subsidiaries throughout our history.

About Fello’s subsidiaries:

Fello’s work providing quality, safe, affordable housing for people with disabilities led Fello to understand the greater community's need for affordable and accessible housing. Recognizing this need for affordable housing throughout Maryland, Fello founded Chesapeake Neighbors in 2007 as a nonprofit subsidiary dedicated to the development and management of affordable housing for all. Today, Chesapeake Neighbors owns and operates 50 units throughout Maryland.

Additionally, in 2021, Fello founded Chesapeake Community Development, a Community Development Corporation (CDC), to serve as their acquisition and development arm. Under this model, Chesapeake Community Development purchases properties and stewards projects through development, while Chesapeake Neighbors provides ongoing leasing, management, and maintenance services throughout the life of the property.

You can find more information about Fello here, as well as view their website at https://fello.org/. For more information about Fello Communities, see https://fellocommunities.org/.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions

• Partner with Executive Leadership and division(s)/department(s) leaders to manage all aspects of employee relations.
• Offer recommendations and guidance in alignment with Fello’s values and policies to enhance working relationships, boost morale, and improve employee retention and organizational impact.
• Design and implement a dynamic employee retention strategy; collaborate with people managers to improve the employee experience, driving measurable improvements in retention.
• Lead and serve as a coach to the Talent Experience (Business Partners) team, assigned employees, and consultants; Provide timely and current guidance on employee relations, retention efforts, and Fello’s engagement strategy.
• Champion and coordinate the onboarding experience, “Hello to Fello”, to optimize the program’s functionality and impact.
• Work closely with Talent Acquisition and Talent Development to continuously strengthen the onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring alignment with industry standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with Executive Leadership and the Vice President of People & Culture to develop and implement a talent succession strategy that supports Fello’s current operations and future growth, with a strong emphasis on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).
• Enhance communication between managers and employees; assist in the development of a performance management strategy that fosters continuous improvement, growth, and accountability for employees.
• Lead Fello’s People & Culture Talent Experience programs and events, ensuring they engage team members at all levels and strengthen their sense of belonging within the community.
• Provide leadership and oversight over employee recognition program(s).
• Maintain HR data to support internal benchmarking; Ensure that data management efforts and software-use are efficient and scalable.

Other Functions

• Remain up to date on HR policies, practices, trends and laws.
• Engage in relevant HR networks through professional associations and groups; attend community events, meetings, and workgroups as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management or a related field, with a minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in employee relations required. A Master’s degree and/or a professional HR certification (such as PHR or SHRM-CP) is preferred.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with strong interpersonal abilities to maintain positive dialogue in challenging situations and deliver candid, constructive feedback effectively.
• Demonstrated track record of building and managing high performing teams.
• Proven ability to collaborate with leadership to develop, identify, and implement solutions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Strong ability to negotiate and resolve conflict effectively, while maintaining positive working relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to manage high volumes of work while delivering timely results with exceptional quality and accuracy.
• Strong team player, both internally with the People & Culture team and across the organization.
• Ability to thrive in an ambiguous work environment, demonstrating adaptability and flexibility in response to evolving business priorities and initiatives.
• Proven ability to adapt quickly to setbacks and move forward with innovative or alternative solutions.
• Demonstrated expertise in problem-solving, time management, and decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, coupled with strong interpersonal abilities.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, and standard computer applications; strong working knowledge of Excel and HRIS systems.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

In addition to a competitive base salary of $130,000, Fello also provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes access to robust health, vision, and dental insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); Flexible Spending Account (FSA); Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage; short- and long-term disability insurance; 403(b) with up to 6% employer match; PTO, as well as 12 paid annual holidays per year. You can review Fello’s full benefits here.

Typical work schedule is Monday through Friday during Fello core business hours, with frequent night and some weekend hours based on the nature of the position. This position is eligible for periodic telework.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS:

Fello has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in nonprofit recruitment, to assist in conducting this important search. For immediate consideration, please apply with your resume and cover letter, formatted in Microsoft Word, via: https://scionexecutivesearch.com/job/12893.

Please address applications to:

Ex Hopson, Senior Executive Search Principle

Scion Nonprofit Staffing

(888) 487-8850 Extension 142

Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.