**Internal Only** Director of Employee Relations

Position Overview

This position is open to University of Kansas employees (all campuses) only.

Job Description

• Lead the University's employee relations function across all KU campuses, ensuring consistent practices aligned with institutional goals, values, and legal requirements.

• Develop and implement employee relations strategies, programs, policies, and initiatives that support employee engagement, organizational effectiveness, and workplace culture.

• Partner with HR leadership and campus stakeholders to identify and address workforce challenges and opportunities.

• Analyze workforce trends, metrics, and organizational data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.

• Advise administrators, managers, and supervisors on employee relations matters, including performance management, corrective action, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and workplace concerns.

• Direct and conduct complex workplace investigations involving policy violations, misconduct allegations, and other sensitive employment matters.

• Facilitate conflict resolution and mediation efforts to improve workplace relationships and outcomes.

• Represent the University in disciplinary hearings, appeals, grievances and other employment-related proceedings.

• Partner with the Office of General Counsel to assess risk, ensure compliance, and develop proactive employment strategies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Psychology, Labor Relations, Organizational Leadership, or related field.
• Seven years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience, including at least three years of specialized employee relations experience.
• Three years of experience conducting workplace investigations involving employment-related complaints or policy violations.
• Three years of supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Experience interpreting and applying employment laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Experience advising managers and organizational leaders on employee relations matters.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders as demonstrated by work history.
• Experience preparing and presenting reports, findings, and recommendations.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, Labor Relations, Higher Education Administration, or related field.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or other advanced HR certification.
• Experience in higher education, healthcare, public sector, or another complex organization.
• Experience leading complex workplace investigations and presenting findings and recommendations.
• Experience advising and or coaching senior leaders on employee relations and organizational effectiveness.
• Experience supervising and developing professional staff.
• Experience working in a unionized organization with responsibility for administering multiple collective bargaining agreements, interpreting contract language, advising leaders on contractual requirements, managing labor relations processes, and ensuring consistent application of negotiated terms and conditions of employment.
• Experience developing and implementing HR policies, programs, and procedures.
• Experience using workforce metrics and analytics to support decision-making.
• Experience designing, developing, and delivering training programs for supervisors, managers, and employees on employee relations topics.