Employee Relations Partner - Faculty Relations

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

6d

About The Position

The Employee Relations Partner – Faculty Relations provides specialized employee relations support for faculty matters. The role is responsible for formal employee relations consultation, case assessment, investigation, documentation, and resolution support. Working as part of the HR Partner and HR Coordinator team, the position collaborates with the Provost’s Office, academic leaders, and Human Resources to address faculty workplace concerns. It applies knowledge of higher education, faculty employment practices, and faculty policies and processes to provide consultation, conduct investigations, and support resolution of employee relations matters. The position also develops and delivers employee relations training and conducts assigned investigations outside the scope of Title IX and OEOC.

The position reports to the Director of Human Resources and Employee Relations, with a dotted line to the Vice-Provost for Faculty Affairs. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance and the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships are essential job duties.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• At least three years of professional experience in human resources, employee relations, faculty affairs, academic administration, or a related field.
• Experience working in higher education or supporting faculty-related matters.
• Experience advising employees, supervisors, faculty, or administrators on workplace or employee relations matters.
• Experience interpreting and applying organizational policies and procedures.
• Experience conducting or supporting workplace investigations.
• Experience developing or delivering training or presentations.
• Knowledge of employee relations principles and practices.
• Knowledge of higher education, faculty employment practices, and academic structures.
• Strong investigation, consultation, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply faculty and institutional policies and procedures.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with faculty, academic leaders, and HR colleagues.
• Ability to manage sensitive matters with confidentiality, professionalism, and sound judgment.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• Five or more years of professional experience in human resources, employee relations, faculty affairs, academic administration, or a related field.
• Three or more years of employee or faculty relations experience in higher education.
• Experience working with a Provost’s Office, faculty affairs function, deans, department chairs, or academic leadership.
• Experience conducting faculty or academic personnel investigations.
• Experience interpreting and applying faculty-specific policies and procedures.
• Training or certification in workplace investigations, mediation, conflict resolution, or employee relations.

Responsibilities

• Provide employee relations consultation and guidance on faculty workplace concerns, including performance, conduct, conflict, and related matters requiring formal assessment, documented intervention, corrective action, or other HR-led follow-up.
• Partner with the Provost’s Office, department chairs, deans, academic administrators, and HR colleagues to address faculty employee relations matters.
• Conduct assigned faculty and employee relations investigations, including planning, interviewing, reviewing documentation, evaluating information, and documenting findings.
• Consult with the Director and appropriate university offices on complex, sensitive, or higher-risk matters requiring escalation or referral.
• Develop and deliver employee relations training and resources on performance management, workplace conduct, conflict resolution, difficult conversations, and documentation.
• Coordinate with the Office for Faculty Affairs to avoid duplicating the Faculty Resource Fellow’s developmental, climate-focused, and faculty-success programming.
• Identify recurring employee relations issues and recommend opportunities for education or process improvement.
• Maintain appropriate case documentation and confidentiality.

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance.
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families.
• 12 official holidays.
• Immediate leave accrual.
• A choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.
• A workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

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