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Form Energy is a climate tech company manufacturing long-duration iron-air battery systems for grid-scale energy storage. The company has secured major utility contracts and is scaling production at its first high-volume manufacturing facility in Weirton, WV.
This Employee Relations Lead role reports to the SVP of People and is responsible for building and running Employee Relations as a new function at Form Energy. The position combines strategic program-building with hands-on operational leadership. You will define ER strategy, frameworks, and infrastructure from the ground up while personally managing a significant, complex caseload from day one.
Key responsibilities include:
- Own and manage a complex, high-volume caseload spanning harassment, discrimination, misconduct, performance disputes, and interpersonal conflict. Conduct thorough, timely, legally sound investigations and drive cases to fair, well-documented resolution.
- Design and stand up Form Energy's ER function from scratch, including intake processes, investigation methodology, case management tooling, escalation pathways, and documentation standards. Establish frameworks, templates, and playbooks that scale with the organization.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and People Partners on ER strategy, risk, and precedent. Translate case patterns into proactive recommendations that reduce risk and improve employee experience.
- Equip people managers with skills and confidence to identify and address ER issues early through training, coaching, and clear escalation guidance.
- Develop, maintain, and improve HR policies and practices to ensure fair, consistent application and compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws. Partner with Legal on complex matters.
- Build reporting infrastructure to track case trends, cycle times, and outcomes. Use ER data to identify systemic risks and inform policy decisions.
- Partner closely with People Partners, Legal, EHS, and other People Team centers of excellence to embed ER guidance across the employee lifecycle.
This is a hybrid role requiring 4 days per week onsite (with flexibility between Weirton, WV and Somerville, MA locations). The role requires travel to all locations. Relocation assistance is available.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 8+ years of progressive Employee Relations experience, including direct ownership of complex investigations and casework
- Proven experience building or significantly scaling an ER function, program, or infrastructure from an early stage; builder's mindset with ability to create new processes and tools from scratch
- Deep knowledge of federal and state employment law, investigation methodology, and documentation standards
- Strong judgment and discretion in handling sensitive, high-stakes situations with empathy and objectivity
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills; ability to build trust with senior leaders and connect authentically with employees at all levels
- Demonstrated ability to balance strategic program-building with high-volume, hands-on caseload simultaneously
- Resilience and adaptability to thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Experience partnering cross-functionally with Legal, People Partners, and business leaders
