Employee & Labor Relations Manager

Hillsborough County • Tampa, FL

22h

About The Position

Human Resources is seeking an experienced and confident Employee & Labor Relations professional to lead a critical function within our Human Resources division. This position reports directly to the Division Director of Human Resources (Employee & Labor Relations) and oversees a team responsible for managing employee relations, labor relations, workplace investigations, and discipline administration for a large, complex public organization. In this role, the selected candidate will provide guidance to County leadership on high-impact employee relations matters—ensuring that decisions are fair, consistent, legally sound, and aligned with organizational values. This person will also lead the administration of Pre-Disciplinary Hearings, grievance processes, and employee relations strategy. This position functions as a working manager, balancing leadership responsibilities with direct casework and hands-on involvement in employee relations matters. This is a hands-on leadership role that requires sound judgment, credibility, and the ability to navigate complex workplace issues with professionalism and discretion.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university (Masters preferred) with a major in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, Employment Law, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or a closely related field
• Five years of progressively responsible employee and labor relations experience, some of which must have been as a supervisor, including independent responsibility for workplace investigations, employee relations case management, discipline and grievance administration, policy interpretation, and overseeing or leading an employee relations function in a large organization
• Experience leading or overseeing an employee relations function, not solely participating in or supporting employee relations activities
• Significant experience independently conducting and/or directing complex workplace investigations
• Experience advising senior leadership on high-risk employee relations matters, including discipline, terminations, and grievance outcomes
• Experience contributing to the consistency and defensibility of disciplinary actions within an organization
• Experience working in a large, complex organization with multiple departments and stakeholders
• Experience supervising and developing professional HR staff responsible for employee relations functions
• Experience leading, reviewing, and providing recommendations on complex employee relations matters, including investigations and discipline, with responsibility for ensuring quality, consistency, and defensibility prior to executive review
• Strong knowledge of employee relations practices, employment law, and labor relations principles
• Ability to conduct thorough, objective, and defensible workplace investigations
• Skill in analyzing complex situations and making sound, well-supported decisions
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and advise leadership
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to lead and develop a professional team
• Strong organizational and time management skills

Nice To Haves

• Masters preferred

Responsibilities

• Manages and supports the County’s employee and labor relations function, including case management, workflow prioritization, and quality assurance
• Supervises, coaches, and develops Employee & Labor Relations staff; establishes performance expectations and monitors outcomes
• Maintains a significant personal caseload of employee relations matters, including complex and sensitive investigations, while also overseeing and supporting the work of assigned staff
• Works under the direction of senior HR leadership to develop recommendations on complex employee relations matters
• Advises leadership on complex employee relations matters, including performance issues, misconduct, workplace conflict, and disciplinary actions
• Conducts workplace investigations and provides guidance and support to staff on investigation practices; evaluates evidence, determines findings, and develops recommendations
• Reviews and evaluates disciplinary actions and investigation outcomes; provides recommendations to ensure consistency, fairness, and alignment with County policy and labor agreements
• Coordinates and participates in the administration of Pre-Disciplinary Hearings and grievance hearings to ensure procedural consistency
• Responds to grievances by reviewing facts, coordinating hearings, and assisting in the development of formal responses
• Partners with the County Attorney’s Office on high-risk matters, including EEOC responses, litigation support, and legal inquiries
• Interprets and applies personnel policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements
• Coordinates with management and union representatives to ensure fair and consistent administration of labor agreements
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with union leadership and County management
• Develops and implements standard operating procedures and best practices for employee and labor relations processes
• Provides guidance to leaders on performance management, documentation, and corrective action strategies
• Develops and delivers training on employee relations topics such as discipline, performance management, and workplace conduct
• Monitors trends in employee relations activity and recommends strategies to reduce risk and improve organizational effectiveness
• Assists in responding to unemployment claims, EEOC inquiries, and other employment-related matters
• Supports the development and management of the Employee & Labor Relations operational budget
• Promotes a culture of accountability, consistency, and professionalism in all employee relations practices
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Benefits

• Tampa Bay offers an outstanding quality of life with year-round sunshine, access to world-class beaches, vibrant downtown living, and a growing regional economy.
• Florida’s lack of a state income tax, combined with strong job growth and continued in-migration, makes this an attractive opportunity for professionals seeking both career advancement and lifestyle improvement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees