Employee Relations & Development Specialist

Job Description

The Employee Development and Relations Specialist supports the University’s employee relations, employee development, performance management, and organizational effectiveness initiatives. This position works directly with supervisors and employees, providing consultation, coaching, training, and guidance on workplace concerns, employee performance, conflict resolution, employment policies, professional development, and effective working relationships. The Specialist assists supervisors and employees in addressing workplace challenges, resolving concerns, navigating performance and conduct matters, and understanding applicable employment policies and practices. The position oversees and supports the University’s performance management process, develops and delivers leadership development and workplace learning opportunities, and provides resources to strengthen supervisory effectiveness, employee engagement, and individual and organizational performance. The Specialist partners with departments and HR colleagues to address workplace needs, support employee and leadership development, and promote a respectful, productive, and effective workplace.

Required Qualifications

Strong professional experience in human resources, with responsibility for employee relations, employee development, performance management, talent management, or a related area; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Demonstrated experience providing consultation, coaching, and guidance to supervisors, managers, and employees regarding workplace concerns, performance management, employee conduct, conflict resolution, employment policies, workplace communication, and employee development.

Demonstrated ability to assess workplace concerns, provide sound guidance, support resolution of employee relations matters, and promote consistent application of employment policies and practices.

Strong ability to build effective working relationships, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, and handle sensitive employee matters with professionalism, sound judgment, discretion, and appropriate confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education, training, and/or experience in human resources, organizational development, industrial/ organizational psychology, higher education administration, or related field.
Experience working in a higher education environment or other complex organization.
Experience designing, facilitating, and evaluating leadership development or supervisor development programs.
Experience utilizing LMS and performance management systems.
Experience using employee engagement data, performance trends, or organizational assessments to identify opportunities for improvement and develop solutions.

Radford University does not discriminate with regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, or political affiliation in the administration of its educational programs, activities, admission or employment practices.