(Hybrid) Senior Employee Relations Consultant- Talent and Culture

About the role

The Senior Employee Relations Consultant will foster and sustain positive relationships between West Virginia University, staff, faculty, and students. This role is overall responsible for mitigating risk to the University by properly addressing employee relations issues/concerns, including but not limited to employee grievances, investigating/resolving employee workplace concerns and offering guidance and support to leaders and staff on ER related matters. They also will be responsible to advise and work towards resolution on workplace conflict and disputes and will serve as a mediator between staff and leaders when appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Works closely with the Assistant Director, Employee Solutions, ER Consultants, SHRP’s and Medical Management Case Managers, University Police Department (UPD), Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP), as well as the General Counsel team to recommend and be the subject matter expert involving Employee Relations.
• Mentors the ER consultants and engages on escalated matters.
• Identifies and mitigates risk for the University by properly managing employee relations issues/concerns and ensuring adherence to company policies, practices and procures.
• Investigates WVU’s Values and Code of Conduct matters and provides outcome recommendations.
• Affirmatively assists leaders by recommending corrective action that is consistent and adheres to the Classified Discipline Policy and drafts Discipline letters that are consistent with University practice.
• Supports leaders on the development of a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) and ensures that action items are appropriate for the staff member’s position and that there is a clear understanding of what the leader’s responsibility is during the duration of the PIP.
• Prepares grievance documents as well as briefing outside legal representation on the facts of the grievant's situation and articulates the facts during the grievance process.
• Provides HR policy guidance, interpretation, and training related to HR/ER Matters.
• Analyzes current trends related to employee relations and provides recommendations to leadership on appropriate response.
• Trains other ER Consultants on utilization of the system and documentation.
• Owns and leads a project or initiative assigned by Employee Solutions leaders to ensure the Employee Relations function is evolving and progressing.
• Escalates sensitive and/or complex cases to ER Leadership as appropriate.
• Stays informed of employment law changes/updates and best practices in employee relations.
• Handles matters with integrity.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required. Human resources, or related field is preferred.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in the following: Employee relations or related work experience.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.

Qualifications

• Ability to work and communicate effectively in stressful, emotionally charged situations.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills to gauge a situation and respond accordingly with minimal supervision.
• Strong consultative and customer service focus.
• Ability to handle highly confidential matters and be respectful through the course of an investigation or mediation.
• Subject matter expert in Employee Relations and ability to articulate sound recommendations to others.
• Executive presence: able to present or meet with high level leaders and provide a thought and sound recommendation.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments).
• Wellness programs
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks.

Schedule

This position is hybrid, with the expectation of a schedule that includes onsite and work from home opportunity. This position is expected to work the hours needed to meet professional responsibilities.