Employee Relations Manager (Hybrid)

County of Wake, NC•Raleigh, NC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Employee Relations Manager provides guidance, coaching, training, and investigation services to ensure the County’s compliance with HR policies and procedures, legal requirements, and state and federal laws. The role also provides technical guidance regarding employment law and best practices. These areas include addressing employee complaints, interpreting policy, advocating for personnel best practices, and ensuring thoughtful application of corrective action procedures and performance improvement initiatives. The Employee Relations Manager also provides objective consultation services to promote productive and positive relationships between employees at all levels of the organization. Wake County’s Human Resources Department partners closely with county leadership to deliver innovative, results-driven, and customer-focused HR programs and services. With a team of about 70 dedicated professionals, we provide a wide range of support including Benefits and Employee Wellness, Recruitment, Rewards and Recognition, Employee Relations, Training, and more. Our department is consistently recognized for excellence in wellness and talent management. Through forward-thinking strategies that serve as industry models, we've helped position Wake County as a national leader in public sector HR. Honors such as the Healthiest Employer Hall of Fame and the Agency Award for Excellence reflect our commitment to creating a thriving workplace. We invite you to explore our competitive benefits package, which includes a 5% 401(k) contribution and free access to the Employee Health Center. Join us in building a stronger, healthier, and more innovative Wake County.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field
Five (5) years of experience in human resources administration directly related to the position’s functional area, including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience
Equivalent education and experience are accepted
Work cooperatively with a diverse group of personnel on multiple projects and initiatives while meeting deadlines, ensuring follow-through and managing high-stress situations
Navigate effectively in a political environment through partnership with legal counsel and the Board of Commissioners
Leverage excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills to communicate directly, soundly and diplomatically with employees and leadership at all levels of the organization
Balance human-centric soft skills with ER expertise, labor law knowledge, and data analytics to achieve organizational goals
Facilitate constructive conversations to rebuild working relationships and to identify and address any underlying issues
Conduct one-on-one and group conflict resolution, mediation, negotiation and investigation
Uphold HR policies and practices, resolve complaints, diffuse high-tension situations and conflicts, and counsel on difficult topics
Demonstrate initiative and independent judgment in dealing effectively with ambiguity, recognizing trends, identifying approaches and offering a variety of options and solutions to solve problems
Work independently to analyze, develop and present analytical studies and provide constructive recommendations
Provide effective coaching, mentoring and training to cultivate, support and encourage superior performance and achievement

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in a related field
PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or other relevant human resources certification
Knowledge of Human Resources best practices within public and local government operations

Responsibilities

Managing all areas of employee relations administration to achieve organizational goals, improve staff skills, and increase self-sufficiency.
Providing resources and guidance when complex workplace issues arise among employees or between employees and managers, especially at key points of the employee life cycle such as performance management, leave, job changes, and end of employment.
Working closely with management and employees to improve working relationships, build morale, and increase retention by proactively recommending actions, training, and programs to enhance the employee experience.
Conveying complex issues clearly and objectively and delivering difficult messages with professionalism and empathy.
Modeling ethical behavior and maintaining confidentiality and integrity with all stakeholders.
Aligning ER decisions with organizational values and goals and influencing leadership through data, insights, and solutions.
Developing and facilitating training to educate the workforce on various employment law and leadership development topics.
Assisting with the internal communication of HR initiatives.
Leveraging the County’s Employee Assistance Program toward positive outcomes.
Supervising, coaching, and developing Employee Relations staff.