Manager, Employee Relations

The Employee Relations Manager provides leadership and oversight of employee relations functions across the university. This role supervises the Employee Relations staff and ensures effective execution of onboarding, offboarding, performance management, and employee relations initiatives. The Manager serves as a trusted advisor to HR leadership and organizational stakeholders, ensuring compliance, fostering a positive workplace culture, and driving continuous improvement.

• Manages the employee relations function, serving as the senior point of contact for performance management, disciplinary processes, legal matters, investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Oversees and investigates staff complaints with neutrality and confidentiality, preparing reports and recommendations for HR leadership.
• Oversees grievance processes to ensure fair, consistent, and policy-compliant resolutions
• Provides counsel and guidance on HR policies, procedures, conduct, and performance issues, including corrective actions and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs)
• Leads the staff performance evaluation process, ensuring timely completion and alignment with organizational objectives. Ensures effective use of performance management tools and identifies opportunities to enhance employee performance.
• Oversees employee lifecycle transitions, including onboarding, orientation, offboarding, exit interviews, and surveys, and evaluates results to inform retention strategies
• Designs and deliveries training on employee relations and performance management
• Analyzes workforce and employee relations data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement
• Supervises the Employee Relations staff, providing guidance and ensuring alignment with departmental goals and policies.

• Performs all other duties as assigned

Direct Reports:

• Full-time employees

Delegation of Work:

• Regularly assigns work

Supervision Given:

• Has primary responsibility for conducting performance evaluations and making recommendations for hiring and dismissing employees.

Has primary responsibility for conducting performance evaluations and making recommendations for hiring and dismissing employees.

• N/A

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

Required Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of HR and supervision work experience

License/Certification: None Required

• None

• Master's degree in a related field

Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of employment law, compliance, and HR best practices

Skills:

• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Good decision-making skills

Abilities:

• Ability to review reports and analyze data and metrics
• Ability to investigate issues and incidents in an impartial manner
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex employee relations issues, and influence senior leadership

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment.

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical, comfortable interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements.
• Individuals have discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and have minimal exposure to physical risks

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Communicates Effectively

• Communicates clearly, concisely, and with courtesy.
• Carefully listens to customer or thoroughly reads correspondence, and uses good judgment to respond appropriately. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Communicates requests for further action or resources to appropriate individuals with tact.

Instruction/Training

• Demonstrates the ability to orally convey subject or message clearly and concisely to the intended audience.
• Generates interest and enthusiasm in the subject or message from the participants.
• Responds to participants' reactions or comments, and adjusts delivery style and/or format of presentation as needed.
• Possesses a thorough understanding of the subject or topic to provide practical responses to questions or issues.
• Displays applicable visuals and provides appropriate written materials to support the presentation.

Operations Management

• Manages department or section operations consistent with department/section goals and objectives.
• Administers the department/section budget ensuring effective utilization of financial resources and appropriate disbursement of funds.
• Fosters a cooperative and productive work environment through motivation, encouragement, and mentorship of staff.
• Ensures department/section compliance with university and department policies, procedures, and work rules.
• Keeps management apprised of department/section activities and issues requiring senior management input.

Supervision

• Supervises the work of staff employees.
• Sets clear goals and expectations within reasonable timeframes.
• Motivates staff through constructive feedback, challenging assignments, and recognition of achievements.
• Provides mentorship and guidance by sharing expertise and best practices.
• Supports staff by providing essential resources, professional development opportunities, and open communication.
• Promptly addresses performance issues with appropriate measures and discretion.

Technical

• Possesses comprehensive knowledge and skills in a technical area.
• Effectively applies expertise to troubleshoot existing systems and develop solutions with existing technology.
• Competent to learn new technologies and integrate them with existing technology.
• Willing to share expertise and provide technical assistance to others.

Decision Making

• Demonstrates the ability to make informed decisions in a timely manner.
• Assimilates and/or secures relevant information to assess the risks and benefits of alternatives.
• Considers impact of decision in the long and short term.

Computer/Automated System Proficiency

• Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties.
• Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity.

Student Success Indirect Support

• Contributes to student success by assisting students with anything that supports their student experience, whether directly or indirectly.
• Helps students navigate their way through the different offices, programs, and services at the university and/or connects students with the appropriate party(ies).
• Connects students with services or resources that can help them with career exploration, goal selection, and ongoing academic assistance.
• Helps students build peer support networks.
• Encourages student participation in out-of-class activities.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Treats students with respect
• Maintains the learning environment to ensure quality and/or sound pedagogy.