Gianfranco Aparicio
Stamford,CT
Summary
Employee Relations leader with 10+ years of experience building, scaling, and leading ER functions in large, fast‑moving technology and global organizations. Known for establishing ER operating models from the ground up, advising executives on high‑risk decisions, and translating complex people issues into clear, defensible outcomes. Trusted partner to Legal, Compliance, and senior leadership across corporate and manufacturing environments. Brings a calm, pragmatic, and human approach to high‑stakes employee and organizational challenges.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Manager, Employee & Labor Relations
PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL (PMI)
Stamford, CT
01.2024 - Current
- Founder and strategic lead for PMI’s U.S. Employee & Labor Relations function, responsible for designing the ER operating model, setting governance and decision frameworks, and scaling ER capability across corporate and manufacturing populations.
- Built the U.S. ER/LR function from inception, defining scope, ownership, escalation paths, and partnership models across HR Business Partners, Legal, Ethics & Compliance, Security, and Investigations.
- Established ER as a strategic advisory function, shifting the organization from reactive case handling to proactive risk management, leader coaching, and organizational effectiveness.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior and executive leaders on complex, high‑risk matters including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, executive conduct, performance exits, sensitive leaves, and organizational change.
- Own risk assessment and decision strategy for precedent‑setting ER and labor matters, balancing employee experience, business impact, legal exposure, and reputational risk.
- Partner closely with Legal and Compliance to align on outcomes, set decision precedents, and ensure consistency with U.S. and global standards.
- Built and lead a multi‑site ER/LR team, hiring, onboarding, and developing ER Managers and ER Business Partners supporting HQ and unionized manufacturing sites.
- Elevated HRBP effectiveness by coaching on ER strategy, judgment, and risk‑based decision‑making, strengthening leader trust and decision quality.
- Designed and rolled out standardized ER frameworks and tools (investigations, discipline, PIPs, accommodations, separations) to support scale, equity, and compliance.
- Developed ER data and reporting insights to identify trends, surface systemic risk, and drive proactive interventions across business units.
- Serve as ER/LR lead for unionized operations, managing grievance escalations and supporting early‑stage labor strategy in partnership with site leadership and Legal.
Employee Relations Manager
Apple
Austin, Texas
11.2019 - 01.2024
- Led complex, high‑profile employee relations investigations across corporate functions in a highly visible, fast‑paced technology environment.
- Advised senior leaders on sensitive and ambiguous matters involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, performance management, and executive decision‑making.
- Exercised strong judgment in cases with limited precedent, balancing business needs, employee experience, and legal risk.
- Partnered closely with Legal and HR leadership to deliver clear, defensible outcomes aligned with Apple’s values and standards.
- Maintained ER metrics and insights to identify trends and inform leadership action.
Employee Relations Manager
AMAZON WEB SERVICES (AWS)
Denver, Colorado
12.2017 - 11.2019
- Managed high-volume, complex ER investigations within a rapidly scaling technology organization.
- Collaborated with HRBPs, Legal, and Compliance to advise leaders on risk management and terminations.
- Redesigned ER intake, escalation, and reporting processes to enhance consistency and efficiency.
- Utilized ER data and trend analysis to create proactive strategies that reduced escalations.
Federal Investigator
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, EEOC
Denver, Colorado
07.2014 - 12.2017
- Conducted investigations into Title VII, ADA, ADEA, EPA, and GINA violations across diverse employers.
- Managed extensive caseload of discrimination matters, performing interviews, evidence analysis, and legal assessments.
- Mediated disputes and facilitated settlement discussions between attorneys and organizational leadership.
- Delivered training on federal EEO compliance and provided technical guidance to stakeholders.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies
University of Colorado At Boulder
Boulder, COAssociate of Arts - Business Administration
Everest College
Thornton, COSkills
- Employee relations strategy and governance
- Executive advisory and risk assessment
- Performance management and PIP oversight
- Labor relations strategy
- Organizational change and crisis management
- ER data analysis and insights
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Inclusive leadership
- Risk assessment
- Negotiation skills
Timeline
Sr. Manager, Employee & Labor Relations
PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL (PMI)
01.2024 - Current
Employee Relations Manager
Apple
11.2019 - 01.2024
Employee Relations Manager
AMAZON WEB SERVICES (AWS)
12.2017 - 11.2019
Federal Investigator
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, EEOC
07.2014 - 12.2017
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies
University of Colorado At Boulder
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
Everest College