CEHD HR Consultant

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages and benefits

Paid holidays and time off

Tuition benefit program

Retirement plans with employer support

Flexible spending accounts (FSA)

Job summary

University of Minnesota is seeking an HR Consultant to partner with CEHD leadership on employee relations, workforce planning, and organizational development. The role emphasizes strategic HR solutions, inclusive practices, and complex problem solving in a hybrid campus setting.

The successful candidate will guide performance management, develop training, and collaborate with units to design effective recruitment and compensation approaches.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Human Resources or related field.
• Six years of progressive HR generalist experience.
• Experience in Labor Relations and working with a Union workforce.
• Ability to provide feedback that preserves employee relationships while achieving change.
• Experience developing and implementing training programs for managers and employees.
• Ability to interpret policies, contracts, and employment law with business impact.
• Strong data analysis, prioritization, problem solving and decision making.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted advisor to unit leaders and employees on HR matters including employee relations, performance management, policy interpretation, and conflict resolution.
• Interpret, communicate, and ensure compliance with policies and regulations related to HR.
• Support and coach employees and leaders in development initiatives and career advancement opportunities.
• Guide and assist in implementing performance management strategies with consistent feedback and appraisals.
• Consult on employee and labor relations matters including layoffs, disciplinary actions, grievances, and nonrenewals.
• Review complaints and conduct investigations to make resolutions.

Skills

HR generalist experience

Interpersonal skills

Labor relations

Policy interpretation

Training program development

Data analysis

Organizational design

Education

BA/BS in HR or related field

Master’s degree in HR (preferred)

Job description

About the Job

The HR Consultant position consults on an array of HR issuesincluding employee/labor relations, workforce planning, trainingand development, organizational effectiveness, performancemanagement, and policy interpretation. The consultant builds strongrelationships with management and employees across the college topartner on solutions to complex problems and influence supervisors.The role requires a strong understanding of HR fundamentals,high-level strategic thinking, flexibility in style and approach toproblem solving, demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion& equity, and experience successfully implementing, executing,and delivering on innovative HR solutions.

This is a hybrid position, with the expectation to work on campus2-3 days a week.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balancefor employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employeeexperience, offering a flexible work environment that meets theneeds of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve.Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in scheduleand/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requiresapproval prior to offer.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Cardsponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT trainingprogram.

Job Responsibilities

Employee & Labor Relations (45%)

• Serve as a trusted advisor to unit leaders and employees onHR-related matters, including employee relations, performancemanagement, policy interpretation, and conflict resolution.
• Interpret, communicate, and ensure compliance with federal,state, contractual, and University policies and regulations relatedto Human Resources.
• Support and coach employees and leaders in developmentinitiatives, including training, professional development, andcareer advancement opportunities.
• Guide and assist in the implementation of performancemanagement strategies, ensuring consistent feedback, goal setting,and performance appraisals. Advise on corrective action anddisciplinary procedures in line with University policies.
• Consult on employee and labor relations matters includinglayoffs, disciplinary procedures, grievances, nonrenewals, andother employee meetings. Advise and coach leaders.
• Review complaints, (formal/informal) conduct investigations asappropriate and make resolutions and recommendations based onfindings.

Workforce Planning, Analysis, and Consultation (25%)

• Provide strategic and operational consulting on personnelmatters to ensure CEHD leaders are achieving their unit goals.
• Conduct staffing analysis to identify organizational structuresthat ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
• Partner with the HR Director and support the implementation ofcompensation strategies to ensure positions are properly classifiedand fairly compensated to address recruitment and retentionissues.
• Partner with units to develop effective recruitment strategies,ensure fair and equitable interview practices, and support thehiring process.

Organizational Development (15%)

• Improve organizational effectiveness through the development ofsolutions to enhance leadership, improve outcomes and drive aperformance-focused culture.
• Evaluate employee engagement survey results and consult withassigned business units on strategies to improve employeeengagement and create action plans.
• Partner with individual units on organizational design,succession planning, and skills.
• Lead project teams in the development and implementation ofcomprehensive employee programs and change initiatives.

Training and Development (10%)

• Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture by offeringprograms and initiatives that enhance employee engagement,recognition, and wellbeing.
• Identify, create, implement, evaluate and monitor the successof training programs and recommend changes as needed.

HR Projects (5%)

• Lead the onboarding function by creating procedures,facilitating training and roll out of resources for new faculty andstaff. Assist with implementation.
• Collect and analyze HR data to support decision-making andidentify trends related to HR practices.
• Participate in special committees, projects, and assignments asdelegated.
• Lead cyclical HR processes as directed.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA/BS in Human Resources or related field, plus six years ofprogressive HR generalist experience.
• Exceptional interpersonal relationship skills and the abilityto effectively navigate difficult conversations andsituations.
• Experience in Labor Relations and working with a Unionrepresentative work force.
• Demonstrated ability to provide feedback in a manner thatpreserves employee relationships yet achieves the goal of changingbehavior.
• Experience developing and implementing effective trainingprograms for managers and employees.
• Demonstrated ability in interpreting and analyzing applicationof policies, contracts, and employment law with a proven capacityto balance human and business needs to make sound decisions.
• Demonstrated strong data analysis, prioritization, problemsolving and decision-making skills.
• Experience with organizational design, climate assessment, andworkforce planning.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in human resources or closely relatedfield.
• More than seven years of progressive HR generalistexperience.
• Experience and comfortability working with high level leadersas a business partner or internal consultant.
• Proven understanding of change management methodology withexperience in managing important organizational change.
• Experience implementing complex employee programs andinitiatives.
• Ability to balance big picture thinking with detail-orientedapplication.

About the Department

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to ajust and sustainable future through engagement with the local andglobal communities to enhance human learning and development at allstages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best workand foster our humanity. That’s why the CEHD community iscollectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitableenvironment, embracing and celebrating all identities of ourstudents, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moralimperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firmstance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemicinjustice.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Rang: $110,000 - $125,000; depending oneducation/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Ap pointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for moreinformation regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional trainingand degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition BenefitProgram
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counselingat no cost
• Employee TransitPass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metroarea

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important tonote that most of thetime, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. Thisapproach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions ofeach candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of ourcommitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered toincoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversityand inclusion in enriching the employment experience of itsemployees and in supporting the academic mission. The University iscommitted to attracting and retaining employees with varyingidentities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to andopportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment withoutregard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender,age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteranstatus, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successfulcompletion of a background check. Our presumption is thatprospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminalconvictions do not automatically disqualify finalists fromemployment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among thelargest public research universities in the country, offeringundergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitudeofopportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of oneof the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities,students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit fromextensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers,international corporations, government agencies, and arts,nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized byForbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employerfor Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State(2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence &Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-lifeflexibility.