Senior Employee Relations Specialist

The Senior Employee Relations Specialist provides advice and coaching to UHD staff and managers and assesses and resolves employee relations matters. The Senior Specialist ensures that actions are aligned with university policies and procedures and that a fair and consistent approach is taken across the university, promoting a positive culture while minimizing risks.

• Serves as the senior point of contact for employee relations issues within the university, including, but not limited to, performance management, disciplinary processes, legal issues, investigations, and conflict management; provides direct intervention and hands-on support in resolving employee and performance-related issues.
• Receives and investigates staff complaints with neutrality, impartiality, and confidentiality, gathering relevant information and documentation, conducting interviews, producing reports, and providing updates as necessary; makes recommendations on a course of action in consultation with HR leadership
• Assists with designing, developing, and implementing proactive employee relations policies and practices; offers consultative services to employees regarding policies, procedures, and state and federal employment laws
• Facilitates the staff grievance process
• Conducts investigations into employee complaints and concerns and presents findings
• Assists in resolving workplace conflict by consulting with parties to develop cooperative strategies for complaint resolution.
• Coaches and counsels managers regarding conduct and performance issues and progressive corrective action in compliance with existing policies and procedures; provides guidance in developing Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs)
• Manages staff performance management and assessment processes; collaborates with the Talent Development team in addressing performance, knowledge, and/or skills gaps
• Handles and administers unemployment claim responses and prepares and coordinates hearings; oversees employee separation process; conducts exit surveys
• In collaboration with the Training & Development team, develops and implements training courses related to employee relations including performance management system processes. Serves as the lead for ongoing user support.
• Collects and analyzes pertinent data, creates and distributes relevant reports and metrics to HR leadership and other stakeholders

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Direct Reports:

• None

Delegation of Work:

• N/A

Supervision Given:

• N/A

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Required Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of work experience

License/Certification:

• None Required

• Master's degree is preferred.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of trends, developments, and best practices in employee relations and talent management.

Skills:

• Strong technical skills, including proficiency in MS Office, Saba Performance, and PeopleSoft
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Good decision making skills.

Abilities:

• Ability to review reports and analyze important data and metrics
• Ability to investigate issues and incidents in an impartial manne
• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.

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
• Individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has 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.

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.

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.

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.

Focus on Customer Service

• Focuses on customer's needs and expectations. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Respectfully ascertains customer's needs and determines appropriate response.
• Promptly responds by providing requested information, takes appropriate action, or refers customer to appropriate individual or department.
• If further actions need to be taken, advises customers of realistic timeframes for a response to their request.
• Follows up with customers on outstanding requests in a timely manner.
• Tactfully explains to customers why their needs and/or expectations cannot be met if the university does not provide the requested information or services.

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.

Problem Solving

• Formulates plans and strategies to proactively resolve anticipated problems.
• Prudently responds to unforeseen problems through careful consideration and analysis of problem and relevant information and circumstances.
• Recognizes and apprises appropriate university administrator when resolution requires senior management input and/or approval.

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.

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.