Senior Director, Employee Relations & Workplace Practices

Job Description Senior Director, Employee Relations & Workplace Practices Georgia State University – Employee Relations Division Are you passionate about creating and delivering people practices which develop and maintain positive working relationships between an organization and its people? If you are, we have the perfect opportunity for you! We hire great people from a wide variety of educational, career, and personal backgrounds, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes us a stronger team. Our mission is to develop partnerships that have a positive impact on the university community by offering consultations, facilitation and conflict resolution strategies for workplace issues. We encourage fair employment practice, provide counsel and advice to supervisors about employment‑related inquiries, and revise and implement university policies and procedures that are fair and consistent. The Office of Human Resources Administration seeks to hire a Senior Director, Employee Relations & Workplace Practices who will add value to the HR Leadership team by supporting a positive environment for employees across Georgia State University. This position reports to the Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer (Associate Vice President for Human Resources Administration). What Makes GSU a Great Place Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc. A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with diverse partners. Professional development opportunity and mentorship. A rapidly growing center within an academic setting. What Will You Do The Senior Director, Employee Relations & Workplace Practices will report to the Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer and will lead a comprehensive employee relations strategy that fosters a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing workplace. This role serves as a senior advisor to university leadership, ensuring alignment between institutional values, compliance obligations, and employee experience. Duties and Responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Partnerships: Design and execute employee relations frameworks that support institutional goals and the strategic plan/initiatives. Serve as a thought partner to senior leaders, department heads, and faculty leaders on sensitive personnel matters. Lead cross‑functional initiatives to improve workplace culture and employee engagement. Employee Relations and Case Management: Oversee resolution of complex employee issues, including performance concerns, grievances, and misconduct investigations. Ensure timely, consistent, and legally compliant handling of cases across academic and administrative divisions/units. Partner with legal counsel and compliance teams on risk mitigation and policy interpretation. Policy Development and Workplace Practices: Lead the review and revision of policies & procedures, ensuring alignment with federal/state/governing body laws and policies, and collective bargaining agreements if applicable. Monitor regulatory changes and advise leadership on implications for institutional practices and impact. Data, Analytics, and Reporting: Develop and maintain dashboards by tracking employee trends, case outcomes, and engagement metrics. Present actionable insights to HR leadership and executive stakeholders to inform strategic decisions. Facilitate HR’s oversight role of compliance processes (e.g., performance evaluation, merit/COLA awards, HR Data Integrity, etc.). Other duties: Work collaboratively with Employee Success division in developing training programs for managers and employees (e.g., conflict resolution, crucial conversations, performance coaching). May be called to assist facilitating workshops and consultations. Minimum Requirements Bachelor’s degree and eight years of related supervisory/management experience, or a combination of education and related experience. Preferred Requirements Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. 10+ years of recent progressive Human Resources experience, with at least 5 years in Human Resources leadership. Recent Human Resources work experience in higher education and or government agency (state, federal, or local government) preferred. Strong knowledge of employment law, policy development and maintenance, grievance/adjudicatory procedures, management and employee consultation practices. HR certification preferred. Examples of core competencies: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills across diverse constituencies; high emotional intelligence, discretion, and judgment in sensitive matters; strategic mindset with ability to translate data into actionable insights; experience navigating shared governance and academic culture. Equal Employment Opportunity Georgia State University is an equal opportunity employer with regard to veterans and individuals with disabilities and prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or protected veteran status. Background Check: Successful candidate must be able to pass a comprehensive criminal background investigation and other background searches applicable to the job such as credit check and Motor Vehicle Record. Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime: Georgia State University is committed to its students and employees’ safety and security. It complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) to provide information on certain crimes on campus. This position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority, ensuring that reported crimes are routed to the appropriate University office. #J-18808-Ljbffr Georgia State University