Human Resources Manager

About the role

Are you an expert relationship builder who thrives in a fast-paced and demanding environment? We are seeking a collaborative Employee Relations HR Manager to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will champion a positive, inclusive workplace culture while serving as a strategic bridge between our workforce and leadership. You will regularly interact with all levels of government and regulatory bodies, ensuring our practices remain compliant, forward-thinking, and aligned with public-sector standards. If you are an empathetic problem-solver ready to drive impactful workplace initiatives, policies, and lead with influence, this may be the job for you!

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and manages the day-to-day operations of the Employee Relations function, including staff, workload, cases, projects, and initiatives.
• Supervises, coaches, and develops Employee Relations staff, establishes performance expectations, monitors case progress, and ensures timely, consistent, and high-quality service.
• Provides guidance and consultation on complex and sensitive employee relations matters, including workplace conduct, performance, corrective and disciplinary actions, grievances, conflicts, and other workplace concerns.
• Leads and/or oversees workplace investigations, ensuring investigations are objective, thorough, timely, appropriately documented, and consistent with City policies and applicable employment requirements.
• Advises HR Business Partners, department leaders, managers, and supervisors on employee relations, performance management, policy interpretation, workplace conduct, documentation, conflict resolution, and corrective action.
• Develops, reviews, and maintains Human Resources policies, procedures, and employee handbook/manual content, ensuring policies are clear, consistent, current, and aligned with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational practices.
• Reviews investigation findings, disciplinary recommendations, and significant employee relations actions to promote consistency, fairness, and sound decision-making across the organization.
• Analyzes employee relations cases, trends, and patterns and recommends policy, training, management, or organizational interventions to address recurring workplace concerns.
• Partners with HR leadership and organizational leaders on employee relations initiatives, policy development, supervisor training, organizational issues, and matters requiring a coordinated HR response.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, organizational management, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• At least four years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience, including significant experience handling employee relations matters and supervisory or management responsibilities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience advising managers or organizational leaders on complex employee relations, performance management, disciplinary, workplace conduct, or policy matters.
• Experience conducting or overseeing workplace investigations involving sensitive or complex employee concerns.
• Experience in working with policies such as development, training, etc.
• Experience in the public sector or a complex organization is preferred.
• An industry-recognized human resources certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, PSHRA-CP, or PSHRA-SCP or workplace investigation designation is a plus.

Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of employee relations principles, Human Resources practices, performance management, workplace investigations, and applicable employment law.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to coach employees, establish expectations, manage workloads, provide feedback, and develop a high-performing and service-oriented team.
• Ability to assess complex and sensitive workplace situations, identify relevant facts and considerations, and develop practical and defensible recommendations.
• Strong knowledge of workplace investigation practices, including interviewing, documentation, evidence evaluation, findings, and maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Ability to interpret and consistently apply organizational policies, procedures, employment requirements, and Human Resources practices.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, objectivity, and confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and organizational matters.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively with employees, supervisors, Human Resources professionals, department leaders, and executive leadership.
• Strong written communication and documentation skills, including the ability to clearly document employee relations matters, investigation findings, recommendations, and management guidance.
• Strong conflict resolution, consultation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to remain objective and professional when working with emotionally charged, sensitive, or high-conflict workplace situations.
• Ability to analyze Employee Relations data and case trends, identify patterns or areas of risk, and develop recommendations for organizational improvement.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple cases, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to build credibility and effective working relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Human Resources information systems, case management systems, and standard business software.

Benefits

• 401a Contribution (employee match not required)
• Bus Pass Program
• Education Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Suggestion Program
• Family and Medical Leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Group Health Insurance
• Group Dental Insurance
• Jury Duty Leave
• Life/Accidental Death Insurance
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Military Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Promotion from Within
• Retirement/Pension Plan (State of NC)
• School Leave
• Shared Leave
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Sick Leave
• Training
• Vacation Leave
• Wellness Program