Senior Employee Relations Consultant & Compliance Analyst
VCU Human Resources has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Employee Relations Consultant & Compliance Analyst!
Department: Human Resources
Summary: The Senior Employee Relations Consultant & Compliance Analyst serves as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert in employee relations, partnering closely with HR Business Partners to promote a fair, consistent, and compliant workplace. This role is responsible for guiding and mentoring HR Business Partners through complex employee relations matters, providing expert counsel on policy interpretation, investigations, and resolution strategies. The Senior Consultant plays a key role in ensuring that employee issues are handled with integrity, sound judgment, and in alignment with VCU’s organizational values and legal standards.
Duties & Responsibilities
The Senior Employee Relations Consultant & Compliance Analyst serves as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert in employee relations, partnering closely with HR Business Partners to promote a fair, consistent, and compliant workplace. This role is responsible for guiding and mentoring HR Business Partners through complex employee relations matters, providing expert counsel on policy interpretation, investigations, and resolution strategies. The Senior Consultant plays a key role in ensuring that employee issues are handled with integrity, sound judgment, and in alignment with VCU’s organizational values and legal standards.
As a senior compliance professional, this position serves as a critical strategic partner in the compliance and policy functions. In this capacity, the incumbent will be responsible for safeguarding the university’s integrity and HR compliance programs, moving beyond traditional HR administration to include a specialized focus on risk mitigation and data governance.
Through strategic partnership, data-informed insights, and a commitment to continuous improvement, the Senior Employee Relations Consultant & Compliance Analyst will help strengthen VCU’s employee relations framework, enhance workplace culture, and support the university’s mission of fostering a culture of care and appreciation.
Key Responsibilities
Employee Relations
Lead and advise on high-risk and sensitive employee relations cases, including investigations into misconduct and policy violations. Provide strategic counsel to HR Business Partners and managers on performance management, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution. Ensure thorough documentation and compliance with legal and organizational standards during investigations and case management.
Compliance
Interpret and apply federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations advising HR Business Partners during strategic consultations. Advise HR Leadership on necessary policy updates during triennial policy review by conducting peer institutional research and seeking the input of key university stakeholders to reduce organizational risk. Conduct audits and assessments to identify compliance gaps and recommend corrective actions. Provide leadership and mentorship to compliance team members.
Consultations
Act as a trusted advisor to senior HR and university leadership on compliance strategies and employee relations trends. Partner with HR Business Partners to manage complex employee relations cases and investigations. Provide guidance during compliance inquiries and support University Counsel during litigation.
Training & Education
Deliver annual and ongoing training to HR Business Partners on progressive discipline, performance management, investigations, and compliance. Coach managers and HR professionals on best practices for handling employee relations issues.
Reporting & Analytics
Analyze employee relations data to identify trends and develop proactive strategies.
Prepare executive-level reports on compliance risks, investigation outcomes, and policy effectiveness.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business or related area and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Work Experience
- Significant progressive human resources experience, including experience in employee relations and compliance consulting or advisory roles. Proven experience managing complex investigations and advising senior leadership.
Required Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to understand, implement, and assist with all employee relations matters, including the interpretation of employment policies and procedures
- Demonstrated ability to perform with a strong sense of urgency to resolve employee relations matters quickly and according to the established process
- Strong investigative skills with extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local policy
- Sound judgment and strong facilitator skills with a demonstrated ability to effectively de-escalate and resolve conflict
- Demonstrated experience in coaching HR professionals, business leaders, and staff through performance management and employee relations issues
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent written communication skills with the ability to draft concise and accurate documents with limited grammatical errors
- Excellent verbal communication skills (must have the ability to positively influence and strategically solve problems)
- Demonstrated ability to focus on major and minor details (must be detail oriented)
- Excellent researching skills
- Demonstrated ability in facilitating effective meetings and positive interactions
- Must be able to manage multiple cases with varying levels of priority to meet required deadlines
- Must be able to make sound decisions quickly in collaboration with multiple stakeholders
- Experience establishing relationships as a trusted advisor
- Experience working with relevant technology, i.e., using Microsoft Office programs, HRIS systems, Smartsheets, spreadsheets, databases
- Must be flexible and demonstrate comfort with ambiguity
- Must be able to work collaboratively and independently with minimal supervision in an extremely fast paced environment with very short turnaround times
- Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Human Resources related field
- Five (5) years employee relations experience
- Six (6) to eight (8+) years progressive human resources experience, including experience in employee relations and compliance consulting or advisory roles.
- PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP or other HR or employee relations certification
Salary Range: Up to $110,000
Benefits : All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: No
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid
University Job Title: Administrator HR 1-3
