North Carolina State University

Sr. Employee Relations Consultant

Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree with 2+ years in Human Resources focused on Employee Relations.
  • Ability to interpret and communicate regulations and policies effectively.
  • Experience managing complex employee relations matters and conducting investigations.
  • Thorough understanding of legal implications in employment actions.
  • Proven track record in achieving successful outcomes in workplace situations.
  • Strong conflict resolution, mediation, and facilitation skills.
  • Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to engage at all levels.

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic consultation to staff and faculty to resolve workplace issues.
  • Analyze complex personnel issues and recommend effective resolution strategies.
  • Address unlawful discrimination, harassment, and policy violations.
  • Counsel employees and management on grievance and disciplinary procedures.
  • Manage Employee Assistance and grievance programs, and performance management initiatives.
  • Conduct detailed investigations of workplace incidents and concerns.
  • Develop and implement training on employee relations topics.

Benefits

  • Flex work opportunities available, primarily on-site.
  • Occasional opportunities for additional duties to build skills.
  • Engagement in cross-functional project teams for organizational improvement.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number
PG194930EP

Internal Recruitment
No

Working Title
Sr. Employee Relations Consultant

Anticipated Hiring Range
$82,000 - $92,000

Work Schedule
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., with additional days and hours as needed. Flex work opportunities are available; however, this is primarily an on-site position based at NC State in Raleigh.

Job Location
Raleigh, NC

Department
HR Employee Relations

Essential Job Duties

The Consultant provides advanced level strategic consultation to staff, faculty, post doctoral scholars, and administrators to support an engaged work environment and resolve workplace problems before they escalate to formal grievances, external complaints, or legal action. The Consultant mitigates institutional risk of non-compliance with employment law and provides training to campus units and partners as appropriate. The Consultant advises managers and hiring units on performance concerns and defensible corrective and disciplinary actions or sanctions to help ensure compliance with federal, state, university, Office of State Human Resources (OSHR), and campus employment laws, policies, and regulations. The Consultant will have programmatic responsibilities that may include performance management, engagement building, grievance, appeal and/or mediation programs, corrective action, training on employee relations (ER) issue identification and just-in-time remediation, and/or others as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities:

ER Consultation and Issue Resolution - 50%

  • This position is required to deal with highly complex, intense, and sensitive personnel issues and situations. Therefore, the incumbent is expected to identify and analyze problem areas, uncover root causes, and recommend action plans which provide effective strategies to allow the client's organization to achieve the desired goal/outcome.
  • The position analyzes each situation and develops, facilitates, and recommends effective resolution strategies. The position must also evaluate each situation as to the urgency of circumstances and resources required and determine the appropriate parties to involve.
  • The position addresses a variety of issues to include unlawful discrimination or harassment, alleged violations of policies and/or state and federal laws, reports of safety violations, provide guidance concerning employee performance issues, and assistance with recognition events.
  • This position provides expertise in discipline and grievance matters by meeting and counseling employees and management on issues concerning the university's grievance and disciplinary procedures.

Program Management - 15%

  • This position will assume responsibilities for one or more programs managed through Employee Relations. These may include but are not limited to: managing the University's Employee Assistance Program; administering the Dispute Resolution and Staff Grievance Procedure; administering relevant human resources policy development; administering the performance management programs for SHRA and EPS employees; managing the mediation program; and managing the Exit Interview program, and assisting with the university and System Office Employee Engagement initiatives.

Workplace Investigations - 15%

  • This position will conduct detailed investigations of workplace related incidents and reported concerns, while appropriately engaging with business partners and advising client groups.

Training - 10%

  • This position will have responsibilities to recommend, assess, develop, implement and conduct training on a wide variety of employee relations topics at both the university and client level. These may include performance management, conflict resolution, wellness, management essentials, engagement and other employment related opportunities.

Project Management -10 %

  • May lead or participate in cross-functional project teams to modernize ER workflows, roll out proactive organizational culture and compliance programs, and translate workplace trend data into scalable solutions.


If you are an experienced Human Resources/Employee Relations professional who enjoys navigating complex workplace concerns, providing thoughtful consultation, and developing solutions that support employees, managers, and the University, we welcome you to apply. In this role, you will have the opportunity to use your expertise in employee relations, investigations, performance management, training, and program development to help address workplace challenges and strengthen effective employment practices across NC State.

Other Responsibilities

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree with 2+ years experience in Human Resources with a focus in Employee Relations.

Other Required Qualifications
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret and communicate federal, state, and institutional regulations, policies, and procedures to employees, managers, and constituencies at all levels of the University.
  • Experience managing complex and sensitive employee relations matters and conducting workplace investigations.
  • Thorough understanding of the legal implications of employment-related actions and the ability to effectively communicate those implications and their potential impact on the University's interests.
  • Demonstrated expertise in employee relations, with a proven track record of achieving successful outcomes in complex workplace situations.
  • Demonstrated judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in assessing and resolving complex and sensitive workplace concerns and advising senior leadership.
  • Ability to provide effective advice and coaching to employees and managers, with strong conflict resolution, mediation, and facilitation skills.
  • Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, including the ability to work collaboratively, maintain confidentiality, and effectively engage individuals at all levels.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively and effectively develop and lead projects, programs, and/or teams.
  • Ability to develop, implement, and conduct training and educational programs.


Preferred Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience with a focus on Employee Relations.
  • Experience conducting investigations into workplace concerns.
  • Previous experience working as an HR Generalist.
  • Experience working in a higher education environment.


Required License(s) or Certification(s)

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required
No

Commercial Driver's License required
No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date
10/02/2026

Anticipated Close Date
10/15/2026; if posting is still active we are accepting and reviewing applications.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for at least three professional references.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Position Details

Position Number
00106771

Position Type
EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)
1.0

Appointment
12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather
Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events
Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID
480701 - HR Employee Relations

About North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University (NC State) is a public research university in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution. The university forms one of the corners of the Research Triangle together with Duke University in Durham and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Enrollment is over 36,000 students. NC State was founded in 1887 as a land-grant institution.
Learn more about North Carolina State University

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at North Carolina State University

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Sr. Employee Relations Consultant jobs: