Employee Relations Director / Human Resources Director II (Central Office)

State of South Carolina • Lexington County, SC

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Effective April 28, 2025, Governor McMaster signed a state law that established the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. This new cabinet agency comprises the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (formerly the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs), the Office of Mental Health (formerly the Department of Mental Health) and the Office of Substance Use Services (formerly the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services). Join Our Team As we implement this transformative phase of state service, we are seeking an Employee Relations Director to join us in our mission to enhance the lives of those we serve. Explore a career where your work directly impacts the well-being of your fellow South Carolinians.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree and experience managing employee relations in 24-hour facilities and hospitals.
• Experience in developing, implementing, and maintaining employee relations policies, procedures, and training materials.
• Experience in ensuring compliance with federal and state employment laws including: Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, USERRA, state human resources policies and grievance procedures.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of human resources management.
• Knowledge of human resources policies and procedures and of agency policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal laws and state regulations affecting human resources management.
• Knowledge of management and organizational concepts.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to analyze needs and resources and to recommend and communicate solutions effectively.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting a variety of policies and procedures.
• Ability to direct and advise technical staff members

Responsibilities

• Serve as the agency's senior advisor on employee relations and workplace conduct, partnering with executive leadership, legal counsel, and managers to mitigate risk and promote a fair, compliant, and respectful workplace culture.
• Ensure employee relations practices align with federal and state laws, statewide HR policies, and agency mission objectives.
• Lead the development and execution of agency-wide employee relations strategies, policies, and standardized practices.
• Approve employee relations case strategies and recommendations for disciplinary action.
• Ensure consistent and equitable application of disciplinary and corrective action procedures throughout the agency.
• Provide leadership in managing sensitive employee relations trends and systemic workplace concerns.
• Manage grievance response processes, dispute resolution, and settlement negotiations.
• Serve as agency representative in formal hearings, mediations, and appeals proceedings.
• Coordinate with SC Human Affairs Commission and general counsel as needed.
• Recruit, supervise, coach, and evaluate employee relations staff.
• Ensure appropriate workload distribution and case tracking.
• Build standardized case management practices and documentation protocols across the agency with performance metrics such as grievance volume and outcomes, investigation timeliness, disciplinary consistency trends and appeal outcomes
• Identify employee relations risks and develop proactive strategies to reduce agency liability.
• Recommend corrective action plans based on employee relations case trends and findings.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices
• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director