Freshworks: Senior Manager - Employee Relations — San Mateo, CA, United States

About Freshworks

Freshworks develops cloud-based software for customer and employee experiences. Its product range includes customer support, sales and marketing automation, chat and IT service management. The employer names Freshdesk, Freshsales, Freshmarketer, Freshservice and Freshchat, supported by shared platform services. These applications address different operational needs, from managing customer conversations and sales activity to helping employees obtain IT services. The business emphasises software designed for end users and straightforward implementation.

The position and its setting

Freshworks lists Senior Manager - Employee Relations in San Mateo, CA, United States, under reference P-1010116_1. The details below separate the work described by the employer from essential conditions, preferred experience and practical preparation advice.

• Employment type: Full-time
• Employer listing date: 30 July 2026
• Brands: Freshworks

Responsibilities and work described

• The Freshworks People team shapes experiences that maximize the potential of our people
• Based in San Mateo (HQ), this Senior Manager, Employee Relations role is a key member of our global ER leadership team, owning the employee relations agenda across the United States and Europe
• Co-create ER strategy alongside our global ER leadership, bringing a unique lens and deep cross-cultural fluency to how we build a high-trust, high-performance culture
• At Freshworks, we believe we are stronger together
• What You’ll Bring
• BS/BA degree required
• JD or advanced HR qualification a plus. 7+ years of relevant experience in employee relations, workplace conflict, and performance management, with meaningful exposure to both European and US employment environments
• Attract, develop, and inspire talent; experience managing or mentoring ER team members or HR colleagues
• Fresh, innovative, and data-driven thinking applied to complex, long-standing ER challenges — with a growth mindset and a track record of high-impact outcomes
• Business and people acumen, with consulting, conflict resolution, and facilitation skills across diverse cultural contexts
• In-depth understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and their application to employee relations practice
• Collaborative, influential, and decisive — able to lead and partner at all levels of the organisation while keeping stakeholders informed
• Comfort with HR technology and case management tools (e.g. Salesforce, ServiceNow, Smartsheet); operational rigour in everything you do
• How You Will Lead
• Co-create ER strategy with the global ER leadership team, ensuring alignment and consistency across the US and other regions
• Own the day-to-day ER agenda for Europe and the United States — from complex case management to coaching managers and HR Business Partners on handling workplace issues with confidence and consistency

Essential requirements and candidate background

• Experience operating as an ER practitioner at a senior level, with the ability to execute independently while contributing to broader global strategy
• Knowledge: UK and European employment law (including but not limited to GDPR, works council obligations, and country-specific labour laws across the EU) highly desired
• Proficiency: US employment law (ADA, ADEA, FMLA)
• Knowledge: additional markets (Canada, India, Israel, Australia) is an advantage
• Education & Experience
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field required
• JD, Master’s in HR/Labor Relations, or advanced HR certifications (e.g., SPHR, SHRM-SCP) desired
• Relevant
• 8+ years of progressive, direct experience in Employee Relations, Workplace Investigations, and Performance Management, including at least 3+ years in a senior/lead capacity within a fast-paced, matrixed tech company or enterprise software environment
• Cross-Border Expertise: Hands-on operational experience managing ER matters across both US and European jurisdictions (specifically UK, Germany, France, or Netherlands)
• Legal & Compliance Mastery
• US Employment Law: Deep expertise in US federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations (including FMLA, ADA/ADAAA, ADEA, Title VII, FLSA, FEHA, and state-specific leave/separation mandates)
• European Labor Relations: Working knowledge of European employment legislation, GDPR compliance as applied to workplace investigations, and practical experience navigating European Works Councils (EWCs), trade unions, and local statutory consultation processes
• Execution & Strategic Leadership
• Investigation Expertise: track record of independently conducting, managing, and documenting complex, high-risk workplace investigations (e.g., harassment, discrimination, executive-level misconduct, retaliation) with discretion and objectivity
• Data & HR Tech Literacy: Comfortable leveraging HR technology and ER case management platforms
• Analyze ER trends, case metrics, and workplace data to proactively identify root causes and recommend systemic solutions
• People Leadership & Capability Building: track record of coaching HR Business Partners (HRBPs) and managers on conflict resolution, mediation, restorative justice, and bias-aware decision-making
• Stakeholder Influence & Business Acumen: consulting, negotiation, and conflict management skills with a ability to challenge, advise, and partner effectively with cross-functional partners (Legal, DEI, Total Rewards, Business Leaders) at all levels of the organization

Preferred experience and additional strengths

• Compensation is based on a variety of factors including but not limited to location, experience, job-related skills, and level
• Bonus/equity may be available

Location, schedule and contract conditions

For this overseas or regional listing, confirm work authorisation and any location restrictions with the employer. The location does not establish visa sponsorship or permission to work remotely from India.

• Work arrangement: Hybrid
• Advertised location: San Mateo, CA, United States

Conditions requiring the complete notice

Some passages contain complex or combined conditions that have not been reduced to short eligibility statements here. Read the complete linked notice for those passages, including any alternatives, exceptions or restrictions. The concise facts above should not be treated as the full wording of every condition.

Pay and application dates

A verified salary figure is not established in this article. An online estimate for another Senior Manager - Employee Relations vacancy is not an offer for reference P-1010116_1; use the employer’s own pay disclosure and recruitment communication.

A closing date is not confirmed in this article. Check the current employer page before submitting: an undated posting can change or be withdrawn.

How to apply to Freshworks

Applications follow the official employer page linked below.

Open the official Freshworks posting below and match the title and reference P-1010116_1.

Compare your qualifications and experience with the essential conditions for the San Mateo, CA, United States position, then read the preferred criteria separately.

Prepare an accurate CV and the supporting items requested in that employer’s application. Provide only information and documents you are authorised to share.

Use the employer’s application option, complete the required fields and review the submission. Retain the acknowledgement when one is provided. Job Alerts World does not receive the application.

Practical preparation: Salesforce

Salesforce experience should identify the users and workflow, then explain the configuration, development or integration you handled. A concrete example helps distinguish administration from application development or process design.

Relevant skills

• Salesforce
• ServiceNow
• compliance
• stakeholder management
• human resources
• commercial negotiations
• root-cause analysis