Employee Relations Director

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise. Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members. What You’ll Do: Join our People team as Director, Employee Relations. In this pivotal role, you will lead Archer’s employee relations function with a primary focus on workplace investigations — ensuring every concern is handled with thoughtful rigor and fairness. You will build and refine investigation frameworks, serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders, HR partners, legal, and information security, and help shape a culture where employees feel safe raising concerns and confident that they will be addressed equitably. Lead Workplace Investigations: Conduct thorough, impartial investigations into the full spectrum of workplace matters, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, policy violations, workplace violence, threats, theft, data security incidents, and conflicts of interest — interviewing parties, reviewing records, and producing legally defensible findings. Design Investigations Program: Build and continuously improve Archer’s workplace investigations program, including intake channels, triage criteria, risk rating models, and standard work for case handling across People, Legal, and partner functions. Drive Learning From Cases: Systematically capture lessons learned and trend data from investigations, translate them into policy updates, control improvements, and training content, and present findings to leadership on a regular cadence. Own Documentation & Case Closure: Prepare investigation reports, written findings, and disciplinary recommendations; ensure all cases close promptly with complete, accurate records. Partner with Legal & Compliance: Work closely with Legal partners on investigations, agency charges (EEOC/CRD), and regulatory matters; surface case trends to drive preventive action. Develop & Govern ER Policies: Build and maintain ER policies, investigation protocols, and case management practices. Advise & Coach Leaders: Serve as the go-to ER advisor for managers, HRBPs, and senior leaders on performance management, disciplinary actions, conflict resolution, and sensitive people matters. Build a Culture of Accountability: Deliver manager training on performance management, policy compliance, conflict resolution, and investigations; identify systemic risk areas and recommend improvements. Build Metrics & Reporting: Track investigation SLAs, ER case trends and patterns; lead periodic reporting to Archer leadership. HR Generalist Partnership: During periods of lower ER case volume, contribute as a cross-functional HR partner — supporting performance management cycles, onboarding and offboarding processes, leave-of-absence administration, policy development, and other HR project workstreams as business needs require. This role is designed to flex with Archer’s growth stage and ensure the People team always has depth where it’s needed most. What You Need: Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Employment Law, or a related field Master’s degree (MBA, MHRM) or Juris Doctor (JD) preferred Experience: 10+ years of progressive HR experience with a strong focus on employee relations and workplace investigations Demonstrated experience independently conducting and leading complex, high-risk, and sensitive confidential investigations (harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, workplace…