Director of Employee Relations

JOB CLASSIFICATION
Pay grade level: Grade 16
Compensation: $65,995 - $90,743. Compensation will be commensurate with education and experience.
Employee category: Full-Time Staff
Department: Human Resources
Reports to: Chief Human Resources Officer
FLSA status: Exempt
Job Code: HR058FTEEMP
Location: Primarily Main Campus, but any other college location as assigned by the appropriate administrator

 

SUMMARY
The Director of Employee Relations leads and manages employee relations efforts across the organization. This includes overseeing internal investigations, ensuring fair resolution of workplace concerns, supporting employee engagement, and maintaining compliance with employment laws. The Director acts as a trusted partner to managers and employees, providing guidance on personnel issues and fostering a respectful, collaborative work environment aligned with institutional goals.
 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Employee Relations & Workplace Culture

• Promote a respectful and collaborative work environment by supporting positive employee experiences.
• Identify and implement strategies to enhance employee engagement and retention.
• Coach employees and managers through workplace concerns to support resolution and mutual understanding.
• Serve as a resource and advisor to leadership on employee relations topics.

Policy Guidance & Compliance

• Interpret and provide guidance on institutional policies, procedures, and employment regulations.
• Recommend updates or changes to policies to support compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Manage compliance-related employee matters, including Title IX responsibilities and associated training.

Investigations & Conflict Resolution

• Conduct timely and thorough workplace investigations into employee complaints or concerns.
• Document findings and recommend appropriate actions or resolutions.
• Handle sensitive matters with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Support early intervention to reduce conflict and promote accountability.

Training & Development

• Develop and deliver targeted training for supervisors and leaders in collaboration with the training manager.
• Create quarterly learning opportunities to support effective leadership practices.

Performance & Workforce Management

• Oversee the annual performance evaluation process and performance-related communications.
• Coordinate responses to unemployment claims and represent the College at related hearings.

Other Duties

• Perform other job-related responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Communication & Collaboration

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Comfortable presenting to varied audiences, including senior leadership.
• Ability to manage sensitive or challenging conversations with professionalism.

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with HRIS platforms such as Ellucian or similar systems.
• Ability to use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) responsibly to support HR operations.

Problem-Solving & Decision-Making

• Skilled in conflict resolution, mediation, and constructive feedback.
• Able to assess complex situations and propose practical, fair solutions.
• Works independently with sound judgment, managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Maintains calm and composure under pressure.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, business administration, industrial organizational psychology, or a closely related field required.
• Five (5) or more years of professional level Human Resource experience, including three (3) years in employee or labor relations.
• At least one (1) year supervisory experience in a Human Resources capacity.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s or higher degree.
• Seven (7) to 10 years professional level Human Resources experience, with at least 3 years in a supervisory role.
• SPHR/PHR or SHRM-SCP/SHRM-CP certification.
• Experience working in higher education.

WORKING CONDITIONS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, and sit. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift items and may be expected to drive to alternate campus sites.

WORK SCHEDULE
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Must be able to work variable schedule/hours to meet operational needs. May require evening and weekend hours, frequent travel and must be able to work evening and weekend hours when required.

TO APPLY

Visit www.kckcc.edu and click on CAREERS for a list of available positions.

• Read the job announcement carefully noting the initial screening date, minimum qualifications, and required information. Note that information contained in your application materials will be used to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Make sure you complete/submit all the documents listed as required.
• If the position lists a required transcript (during the application process) unofficial transcripts may be submitted. However, please note that upon selection for hire, you will be required to submit official transcripts.
• Ensure that your transcripts show that a degree was awarded or conferred if you are stating that it is your highest level of education completed. If you certify your level of education and it cannot be verified from your transcript(s), your application may not be referred to the selection committee.
• Foreign degrees are acceptable provided they have been translated and/or shown to have equivalency to a United States: Associate, Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate level degree.
• Documentation verifying completion of a degree, course work within a discipline, or other educational criteria should be electronically attached (uploaded) to your application.
• Three (3) professional references with phone number and email addresses are required.
• A college selection committee is responsible for application review and interviews. The final candidate(s) selected to be hired will be made by the hiring manager.
• Successful completion of a background check on all persons recommended for employment is required Individual hiring departments may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions as part of the applicant selection/hiring process.

***This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This job description may be revised upon development of other duties and changes in responsibilities.

KCKCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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