Hiring Range: $91,308 – $130,655

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Posting: Open five (5) days, external

Work, Serve, Thrive. With the City of Durham

Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

The Employee Relations Senior Manager directs the City’s employee relations function, serving as the senior authority on workplace investigations, progressive discipline, grievances, and compliance across all departments. The position establishes and maintains employee relations policy, process, and case management infrastructure; supervises employee relations professional staff; and advises department directors and executive leadership on complex, high-exposure personnel matters, exercising independent interpretive judgment on behalf of the organization.

This role supports approximately 2,800 employees across 26 departments and is responsible for building consistent, defensible employee relations practices citywide.

• Directs the citywide employee relations function; sets direction, priorities, and service standards; and oversees daily operations and workflow across all departments.
• Conducts and oversees complex and sensitive workplace investigations; reviews findings; and determines and recommends disciplinary and corrective action, including matters carrying legal and financial exposure to the City.
• Develops, implements, interprets, and maintains employee relations policies, procedures, escalation standards, and case management systems, ensuring consistent and defensible application organization-wide.
• Advises and counsels department directors and executive leadership on employee relations, performance management, grievances, and compliance; resolves escalated and highly visible matters on behalf of Human Resources.
• Supervises employee relations professional staff, including planning, assigning, and evaluating work, training, coaching, hiring, and performance management.
• Designs and delivers management training on investigations, progressive discipline, performance management, and difficult conversations.
• Partners with the City Attorney’s Office on high-exposure matters, administrative charges, hearings, and settlements, and represents the department in related proceedings.
• Analyzes employee relations data and trends; prepares and presents reports to Human Resources leadership; and recommends programs and policy changes.
• Participates in the design and implementation of the City’s Human Resources enterprise system, including the employee relations case management module.
• Administers assigned programs, which may include reasonable accommodation/ADA, secondary employment, and flexible work.
• Represents Human Resources and the employee relations function on citywide committees, initiatives, and projects.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of employee and labor relations principles and progressive discipline.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including Title VII, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and equal employment opportunity requirements.
• Skill in conducting investigations and fact-finding and in preparing clear, defensible documentation.
• Skill in grievance administration, conflict resolution, and mediation.
• Demonstrated management, supervisory, and performance management ability.
• Ability to develop, interpret, and administer policy and standard operating procedures.
• Proficiency with case management systems, human resources information systems, and data analysis and reporting.
• Strong consultation, facilitation, and consensus-building skills.
• Political acumen, tact, diplomacy, and a consistent commitment to confidentiality and ethical judgment.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Psychology or a related field.
• Six years of progressively responsible employee relations or human resources experience.
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience.

• A Masters degree and relevant certifications in HR, employee relations or conflict resolution are a plus.
• Two years of experience investigating employee relations cases.