Employee Relations Consultant

We are excited that you are considering joining Nova Southeastern University!


Nova Southeastern University (NSU) was founded in 1964, and is a not-for-profit, independent university with a reputation for academic excellence and innovation. Nova Southeastern University offers competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package including tuition waiver, retirement plan, excellent medical and dental plans and much more. NSU cares about the health and welfare of its students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors and is a tobacco-free university.


We appreciate your support in making NSU the preeminent place to live, work, study and grow. Thank you for your interest in a career with Nova Southeastern University.

Primary Purpose:


Serves as a trusted advisor, strategic partner, investigator, and coach, balancing people-centered problem-solving with organizational risk management. Leverages strong investigative rigor and emotional intelligence to guide leaders through complex, sensitive workplace issues, providing expert consultation on employee performance, conduct, and behavioral concerns while ensuring decisions are grounded in fairness, consistency, and sound judgment.

Leads high-stakes and complex investigations, ensuring employment actions align with institutional policy, core values, and applicable law. Reviews case documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance, setting clear quality standards for investigative and advisory excellence. Collaborates closely with HR colleagues, Legal, and senior leadership to align employee relations strategy with organizational goals and to mitigate risk while fostering a respectful and accountable workplace culture.

Job Category: Exempt


Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience


Pay Basis: Annually


Subject to Grant Funding? No


Essential Job Functions:


1. Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates work activities of subordinates and staff, including hiring, coaching, evaluating, and terminating, all in accordance with University policies and procedures.
2. Leads high-complexity investigations (e.g., harassment, discrimination, retaliation, leadership conduct, ethics violations).
3. Applies advanced fact-finding methodologies and ensure adherence to due process and confidentiality.
4. Oversees case documentation prepared by team members, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and completeness across all matters.
5. Serves as a key advisor to HR management and Legal on sensitive, high-profile matters.
6. Reviews case materials, letters, and communications for tone, clarity, and compliance.
7. Models investigative best practices, neutrality, and professionalism in every interaction.
8. Mentors team members through developmental goals aligned with the ER career framework.
9. Advises senior leaders, chairs, and directors on employee performance, conduct, and team dynamics.
10. Partners with HR colleagues and Legal to design corrective strategies that balance accountability with fairness.
11. Guides managers through the full corrective action continuum - from informal coaching to termination.
12. Anticipates and mitigates institutional risk through proactive interventions and education.
13. Leads updates to ER policies, templates, and documentation standards.
14. Designs and delivers training modules on professional conduct, investigations, and documentation for managers and employees.
15. Recommends policy or process improvements based on emerging trends and case insights.
16. Partners with team members to interpret ER data dashboards and identify systemic risks.
17. Presents quarterly case summaries and trend analyses to leadership.
18. Ensures compliance with institutional, state, and federal standards governing workplace conduct and employment practices.
19. Completes special projects as assigned.
20. Performs other duties as assigned or required.


Job Requirements:

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:


Knowledge:
1. Advanced understanding of employee relations principles, employment law, and organizational behavior.
2. Expertise in investigation protocol, evidence handling, and documentation ethics.
3. Awareness of confidentiality standards, due process, and neutrality in decision-making.

Skills:
1. High emotional intelligence and empathy to navigate sensitive and emotionally charged matters.
2. Strong written and verbal communication with exceptional clarity, neutrality, and composure.
3. Conflict resolution, mediation, and facilitation skills to de-escalate tension and foster resolution.
4. Analytical skills to identify risk, spot patterns, and interpret data for strategic decision-making.
5. Leadership and coaching skills to guide team members and develop their judgment and confidence.
6. Strategic thinking, balancing compliance requirements with organizational culture and engagement goals.
7. Excellent time management and task prioritization skills.
8. Proficiency with Microsoft 365, HR databases, and digital collaboration tools.
9. Customer-service orientation and approachability.

Abilities:
1. Exercise sound judgment, confidentiality, and tact in high-pressure situations.
2. Build trust with diverse stakeholders, from front-line employees to senior executives.
3. Deliver difficult feedback with professionalism and sensitivity.
4. Remain objective and composed in emotionally charged situations.
5. Lead by example, modeling calm, fairness, and decisiveness under scrutiny.
6. Maintain flexibility and resilience in an evolving organizational environment.

Physical Requirements:
1. Near Vision - Must be able to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
2. Speech Recognition - Must be able to identify and understand the speech of another person.
3. Speech Clarity - Must be able to speak clearly so others can understand you.
4. Travel - Must be able to travel on a daily and/or overnight basis.
5. May be required to work nights or weekends.
6. May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
7. May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies, to include but not limited to pens, pencils, and computer keyboards.


Required Certifications/Licensures:

Required Education: Bachelor's degree


Major: Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business, or related field


Required Experience:


1. 5-7 years of HR or employee relations experience, including investigative or compliance work.
2. Prior supervisory or mentoring experience.


Preferred Qualifications:


PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent certification.


Is this a safety sensitive position? No


Background Screening Required? Yes


Pre-Employment Conditions:

Sensitivity Disclaimer: Nova Southeastern University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary.


NSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status.