Director, Employee Relations and Performance Management

PageUp People Limited; Bethlehem (Northampton County); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

Lehigh University is seeking an experienced employee relations leader to shape culture and performance across the university. You will serve as the authoritative voice on employee relations, advising senior leaders, resolving complex workplace matters, and building organizational capability to address issues early.

Reporting to the Chief HR Officer, you will own the performance management system end-to-end, design leadership development programs, and partner with Legal and Compliance to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management or a related field.
• Five to eight years of relevant work experience.
• Progressive experience in employee relations, ideally in higher education.
• Ability to advise senior leaders on sensitive workforce matters.
• Experience designing and delivering training for managers.
• Strong knowledge of US employment law, compliance, and performance management.
• Proven ability to build trust across a diverse workforce.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the University's subject matter expert on employee relations.
• Advise leaders across schools, colleges, and admin divisions.
• Lead intervention and case management for escalated matters.
• Design and facilitate management development programs.
• Identify trends through data and case analysis and develop strategies.
• Own the performance management system end-to-end.
• Deliver training to supervisors and employees on performance conversations.
• Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, and Equity and Inclusion.
• Contribute to HR goals as a Leadership Team member.

Skills

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Leadership coaching

Training design

US employment law

Higher education experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources

SHRM-SCP/SPHR certification

Job description

Job no: 504049
Work type: Exempt Staff Full-time
Location: Partial Remote, Bethlehem
Categories: Human Resources

Lehigh University's Human Resources team is seeking a seasoned employee relations leader to shape the culture and performance of one of the Northeast's most respected research universities. If you bring deep expertise in employee relations and a genuine commitment to building healthy, high-performing workplaces, this is a role where your influence will be felt university-wide. Reporting directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer (AVP), you will serve as Lehigh's authoritative voice on employee relations, advising senior leaders, resolving complex workplace matters, and building the organizational capability that allows issues to be addressed before they escalated.

Position Number: S87550

This position is a Grade: 11 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $83,910-$102,080 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

Your Scope and Impact

• Serving as the University's subject matter expert on employee relations, providing authoritative guidance to leaders across Lehigh's schools, colleges, and administrative divisions
• Acting as a strategic partner to the Chief Human Resources Officer, contributing informed perspective on workforce matters that intersect with institutional priorities
• Leading direct intervention and case management for sensitive, complex, or escalated employee relations matters with sound judgment and discretion
• Designing and facilitating management development programs and workshops that build proactive employee relations capability at all levels of the organization
• Identifying systemic employee relations trends through data and case analysis, and developing targeted strategies to address root causes
• Owning the University's performance management system end-to-end, including process design, documentation standards, and continuous improvement
• Delivering training and workshops to supervisors and employees that build confidence and consistency in performance conversations and documentation
• Partnering with Legal, Compliance, and Equity and Inclusion colleagues to ensure employee relations practices align with applicable employment law and University policy
• Serving as an active member of the HR Leadership Team to co-develop and implement University-wide HR goals, initiatives, and strategy
• Supporting a culture of accountability and respect that reflects Lehigh's commitment to an equitable, inclusive, and high-performing workplace

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management or a related field; advanced degree or SHRM-SCP/SPHR certification preferred
• Five to eight years of work related experience
• Substantial progressive experience in employee relations, ideally within higher education or a complex institutional environment
• Demonstrated ability to advise and influence senior stakeholders on sensitive workforce matters with confidence and discretion
• Experience designing and delivering training or development programs for managers at multiple levels
• Working knowledge of US employment law, HR compliance frameworks, and performance management best practices
• A track record of building trust across a diverse workforce, reflecting Lehigh's commitment to an equitable and inclusive campus community

Why Lehigh

Lehigh University combines the intimacy of a residential campus with the intellectual energy of a top-tier research institution. As part of the HR Leadership Team, you will have a genuine seat at the table contributing to decisions that shape how nearly 2,000 faculty and staff experience their work every day. Lehigh offers a comprehensive benefits package including robust retirement contributions above standard minimums, generous paid leave, and meaningful professional development support. The Bethlehem campus itself is a community worth being part of: walkable, historically rich, and within easy reach of both Philadelphia and New York City. Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university’s mission.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist .

Special Considerations

• The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor.

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.

Advertised: September 23, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled

A comprehensive benefit package for you and those that you care about.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or familial status, national origin (including shared ancestry), pregnancy or related conditions, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Lehigh University is committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and interested in candidates who seek to contribute tothe university’s mission.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws

LCA Notices of Intent to Hire H-1B/E-3 Employees

In compliance with US Department of Labor requirements and pursuant to 20 CFR 655.734, Lehigh University provides notices of intent to hire non-immigrant workers in the H-1B and E-3 visa classifications. Please note candidates have already been selected to fill the positions; the Notice of Intent to Hire is not a posting for an open position.