Employee Relations and Engagement Manager
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student-centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and striving to be an inclusive campus community.
UNC Asheville’s commitment to increasing and sustaining the diversity of our faculty, staff, and students is reflected in our strategic plan goals of diversity and inclusion, and social sustainability. Women, traditionally under-represented minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
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Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Applications must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date for each specific position. Please note that any documents submitted to Human Resources or the hiring departments become property of UNC Asheville and will not be returned. Official verification from each college/university you have attended are required upon employment, and will be requested directly from the college/university by Human Resources or from the National Student Clearinghouse. Any expense will be the responsibility of the employee. Educational degrees must be from an appropriately accredited institution. If no applicants apply who meet the required competency and training and experience requirements, management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations. It is the policy of UNC Asheville to conduct pre-employment background investigations on all candidates selected for employment. If hired, the candidate will be required to submit proof of eligibility to work in the United States. New employees are paid only by direct deposit to the financial institution of their choice.
Posting Details
Position Information
UNC Asheville Overview
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student-centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and striving to be an inclusive campus community.
UNC Asheville is committed to promoting diversity and a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and the ability to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. Staff members are encouraged to take an active role to engage in the institution’s efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion throughout the workplace. The successful candidate is expected to foster an inclusive work culture where uniqueness of beliefs, backgrounds, talents, capabilities and ways of living are respected and welcomed. Women, traditionally under-represented minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Title
Employee Relations and Engagement Manager
Recruitment Range
$75,000-$85,000
Work Schedule and Hours
Office hours are Monday-Friday, from 8:00 am. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours may be needed to perform job-related duties to help further the mission of the institution.
Full-Time / Part-Time
Full-Time
Months per Year
12 Months
Position Summary
Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources & CHRO, the Employee Relations and Engagement Manager functions as the primary resource and liaison for employee relations and engagement for the university.
The Employee Relations and Engagement Manager will set the direction, vision, and goals for all aspects of employee relations across the university. This role will be responsible as the change agent to facilitate and build campus employee engagement, which includes developing and streamlining employee relations programs, processes, policies, and procedures.
The Manager will work within the campus as a business partner representative of the Office of Human Resources, they will collaborate with key stakeholders to evaluate changing business and workforce talent needs while leading and promoting employee engagement initiatives.
Essential job responsibilities of the Manager include:
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Manage the employee relations program for the university for employees at all levels and classifications. The Employee Relations leader offers a full range of consultative services including, but not limited to, the following: supervisory consultations related to performance and professionalism, conduct, disciplinary issues, and separations from the university of any kind (e.g., discontinuations and dismissals); assistance and counseling to faculty and staff involving workplace concerns and disputes; monitoring department climates, and management of employee engagement surveys.
- Provide guidance on a wide range of employee relations issues; provides advice and guidance on complex and challenging matters.
- Advise/refer faculty and staff on appropriate grievance procedures, advises supervisors and managers on corrective action procedures, and provides employee relations support to university departments.
- Facilitate or liaises with investigations into alleged violations of university policies, aid in preparing investigation reports and providing guidance to academic and administrative units on addressing the outcome of such investigations; manages the employee appeals processes.
- Analyze and evaluate data on retention and related issues, conducts exit interviews, and provides recommendations and support to management.
- Maintain the highest levels of integrity, confidentiality, and a commitment to creating an environment in which employees can thrive.
Required Education/Experience/Skills
A bachelor’s degree required and 5 years of progressive relevant experience related to employee relations, labor relations, or labor/employment law with emphasis on employee relation and employee engagement.
Preferred Education/Experience/Skills
- A master’s degree preferred.
- Strong leadership and analytical skills.
- Experienced mediator/investigator with well-developed conflict resolution skills who can handle sensitive and confidential information in a professional and high-level manner.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills.
- Successful record of creating, improving, and executing programs at large scale
- Experience leading supervisors and management in employee relations concerns.
- Excellent skills and attention to detail, able to manage and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously while delivering on commitments.
- Outstanding communication skills in written and verbal form; extensive public speaking, presenting, training, and/or communication skills.
- Proven ability to establish and maintain positive and productive working relationships with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines related to affirmative action and civil rights enforcement.
- Prefer experience in higher education, including employee relations experience involving academic faculty.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to lead with both a decisive and consultative style, foster open communications, and proactively build positive relationships with faculty, staff, students, and diverse constituencies.
- Ability to build strong working relationships, instilling trust and confidence in colleagues at all levels.
- Ability to work successfully with diverse work groups.
- Self-motivated and able to meet critical deadlines; flexible at setting and revising priorities while managing multiple projects.
Posting Detail Information
Special Instructions to the Applicant
Applications must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date for each specific position. Please note that any documents submitted to Human Resources or the hiring departments become property of UNC Asheville and will not be returned. Official verification from each college/university you have attended are required upon employment, and will be requested directly from the college/university by Human Resources or from the National Student Clearinghouse. Any expense will be the responsibility of the employee. Educational degrees must be from an appropriately accredited institution. If no applicants apply who meet the required competency and training and experience requirements, management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations. It is the policy of UNC Asheville to conduct pre-employment background investigations on all candidates selected for employment. If hired, the candidate will be required to submit proof of eligibility to work in the United States. New employees are paid only by direct deposit to the financial institution of their choice.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
- UNC Asheville website
- The Chronicle of Higher Education
- Higher Ed Jobs
- really
- Inside Higher Ed
- LinkedIn
- HERC
- NC Works Online (formerly Employment Security)
- UNC System website (northcarolina.edu)
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Circa (formerly Local Job Network)
- NorthCarolinaDiversity.com
- Other
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Optional Documents