Senior Employee Relations Specialist
Wintrust Open · verified Oct 19, 2026 At a glance
Senior Employee Relations & Culture role at Wintrust. Rosemont · full-time · $85,000–$110,000 base.
hrroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Investigate employee complaints, apply workplace policies consistently, and check that employment practices meet legal requirements
- Lead escalated employee-relations cases, record and share outcomes, and recommend coaching or discipline when appropriate
- Review workforce data for patterns in engagement, retention, performance, complaints, and related claims or investigations
- Guide job changes and involuntary exits, and coordinate surveys, action plans, pulse checks, and focus groups
- Help supervisors handle staff concerns and explain the reasoning behind workplace policies and procedures
What you bring
- Five to seven years of employee-relations experience, with financial-services experience as an advantage
- Corporate human-relations experience and advanced computer skills
- A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification
Who this fits
This senior role suits someone experienced in employee relations who can lead investigations and advise supervisors. The position supports bank entities and involves some travel. The stated annual salary range is $85,000 to $110,000, with eligibility for an annual bonus.
From the employer
Wintrust provides community and commercial banking, specialty finance and wealth management services through its 16 bank charters and nine non-bank businesses. Wintrust delivers the sophisticated solutions of a large bank while staying true to the relationship-focused, personalized service of our community banking roots. We serve clients in all 50 states with more than 200 branch banking locations in Illinois, southwestern Florida, northwestern Indiana, west Michigan and southern Wisconsin and commercial banking offices in Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, Grand Rapids, Mich., and in key branch banking locations throughout Illinois. Our people are the heart of our business and we are proud to rank consistently as a top place to work. Wintrust is a $66 billion financial institution based in Rosemont, Illinois, and listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “WTFC.”
Why join us?
An award-winning culture! Rated a Top Workplace by the Chicago Tribune (past 10 years) and Employee Recommended award by the Globe & Mail (past 6 years)
Competitive pay and discretionary bonus eligible
Comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life, a 401k plan with a generous company match and tuition reimbursement to name a few
Family-friendly work hours
We offer opportunities to grow and develop in your career
Promote from within culture
Why join this team?
We have a culture that encourages an entrepreneurial spirit
We offer multiple opportunities for development and upward mobility
What You’ll Do:
The Senior Employee Relations Specialist acts as a liaison between employer and employee (supporting Bank entities) , overseeing employee relations. This involves receiving and effectively handling employee complaints, escalating these complaints to the level of disciplinary or legal action when necessary, updating employees with any changes in company policy, advising supervisors on treatment of staff and company policies, responds to employee violations of policy and generally helps to resolve conflict in the workplace.
Compliance and Security:
Ensure legal compliance and mitigate risk related to employment by investigating employee complaints, interpreting and applying corporate policies with fairness and consistency and, ensuring compliance with local, state and federal employment laws and regulations.
Results & Accountability:
Participates in escalated ER issues, including but not limited to: leading investigations, documenting and communicating findings/resolutions, and appropriate coaching or disciplinary actions.
Analyzes data to determine trends of current talent related to engagement, retention, performance themes, ER cases, EEOC claims, BSA investigations and the like.
Change Agility/Flexibility:
Analyzes both successes and failure for improvement opportunities
Provides advice and oversight of job restructures, job eliminations and involuntary terminations
Manages Engagement activities such as annual surveys, action planning, pulse surveys, and focus groups.
Partners with COE
Interpersonal Skills / Social Competence:
Advises partners on employee relations framework and ensure consistent application of company policies and procedures.
Stakeholder Management:
Communicates the rationale behind policies, practices and procedures
Advises supervisors on treatment of staff and appropriate administration of company policies, practices and procedures
Qualifications:
5-7 years’ experience in Employee Relations experience (experience in financial services industry a plus)
Corporate Human Relations experience
Advance computer skills
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Some Travel
Benefits:
Medical Insurance • Dental • Vision • Life insurance • Accidental death and dismemberment • Short-term and long-term Disability Insurance • Parental Leave • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Traditional and Roth 401(k) with company match • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) • Employee Stock Purchase Plan at 5% discount • Critical Illness Insurance • Accident Insurance • Transportation and Commuting Benefits • Banking Benefits • Pet Insurance
Compensation:
The estimated annual salary range for this role is $85,000 to $110,000 along with eligibility to earn an annual bonus. Actual salaries may vary based on several factors, such as a candidate’s qualifications, skills and experience.
From our first day in business, Wintrust has been proud to serve a variety of unique communities and people from all walks of life. To build a company that reflects the communities we serve, we believe that fostering a unique and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed will support our ongoing success. Wintrust Financial Corporation, including community banking and financial services subsidiaries, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.