Employee Relations Specialist

Employee Relations Specialist

The Employee Relations Specialist will manage workplace issues and help foster a positive work environment. The role serves as a trusted consultant and investigator by providing responsive and objective guidance to proactively and consistently address employee concerns in a thorough, neutral, respectful, and timely manner. This role is responsible for creating excellence and value through standardizing processes, staying informed on Employee Relations best practices, using investigation data analytics to make informed decisions, sharing trends, and assisting in resolving workplace conflicts.

Position Title - Employee Relations Specialist

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct thorough investigations regarding reported complaints, policy violations, and incidents in a neutral and respectful manner, to include preparing detailed and objective reports that outline findings, evidence, and conclusions to ensure accuracy and clarity.
• Consult with the Director of Employee Relations and Compliance to determine if any interim measures are recommended while investigations are ongoing.
• Provide recommendations based on investigation findings and consult ER leadership on next steps.
• Maintain thorough, accurate, and confidential records of all consultation and investigations, ensuring proper documentation, organization, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
• Provide consultations with employees to resolve pending issues, as well as provide guidance to supervisors and managers on best practices in managing employee performance and conduct.
• Manage investigation tracking methods and report on trends.
• Conduct climate surveys and provide recommendations based on survey results.
• Demonstrate and maintain knowledge and understanding of all EEO laws and Spelman College policies as well as new or changing federal and state guidelines to ensure a consistent interpretation and application of policies, procedures, and practices.
• Administer the reasonable accommodations process under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Assist with organizational restructurings and reduction in forces.
• Process unemployment claims and represent the College in unemployment hearings/proceedings.
• Facilitate performance management training and other ER related topics.
• Review and analyze exit survey data for trends.
• Perform other HR duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• 3+ years of Employee Relations work experience.
• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Able to handle confidential information in a professional manner.
• Demonstrates ability to develop thorough, complete reports with expediency.
• Demonstrates empathy, neutrality, and good judgement.
• Demonstrates an acute attention to detail.
• Able to create a calm atmosphere and de-escalate emotionally charged situations.
• Able to influence peers and leadership for the best results possible.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of Employee Relations work experience.
• Master's degree preferred or equivalent experience.

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.

Certifications, Licenses, Restrictions:

Professional in Human Resources PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP a plus but not required.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: sit, walk, use hands to handle office supplies, operate computer and other office equipment, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to: reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to: stand, stoop, climb, taste and smell, and lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Shift - Days

% Travel Required

Full Time/Part Time - Full-time

Work Location/Schedule: This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.

FLSA - Exempt

Posting Number - SC0934P

Posting Open Date - 08/13/2026

Posting Closing Date

Open Until Filled - Yes

EEO Statement - Spelman College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are a smoke-free campus.

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter of Interest

Optional Documents:

1. Writing Sample
2. Certificates, Licenses, and/or Registrations
3. Certification(s)