Director, Employee Relations and Performance Management

Lehigh University; Bethlehem (Northampton County); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Partner benefits

Job summary

Lehigh University seeks a seasoned Employee Relations Leader to shape culture and performance across the university. You will advise senior leaders, manage complex workplace matters, and drive programs that build proactive employee relations capability.

This role reports to the Chief Human Resources Officer and partners with Legal, Compliance, and Equity & Inclusion. With 5–8 years of progressive employee relations experience in higher education or complex institutions, you will influence

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR Management or related field; advanced degree or SHRM-SCP/SPHR preferred.
• Five to eight years of work-related experience.
• Progressive experience in employee relations, ideally in higher education or a complex institutional environment.
• 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.
• Track record of building trust across a diverse workforce, reflecting Lehigh's commitment to an equitable and inclusive campus community.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the University's subject matter expert on employee relations, providing authoritative guidance to leaders across Lehigh's schools, colleges, and administrative divisions
• Act as a strategic partner to the Chief Human Resources Officer, contributing informed perspective on workforce matters that intersect with institutional priorities
• Lead direct intervention and case management for sensitive, complex, or escalated employee relations matters with sound judgment and discretion
• Design and facilitate management development programs and workshops that build proactive employee relations capability at all levels of the organization
• Identify systemic employee relations trends through data and case analysis, and developing targeted strategies to address root causes
• Own the University's performance management system end-to-end, including process design, documentation standards, and continuous improvement
• Deliver training and workshops to supervisors and employees that build confidence and consistency in performance conversations and documentation
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Equity and Inclusion colleagues to ensure employee relations practices align with applicable employment law and University policy
• Serve 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

Skills

Employee relations

Stakeholder influence

Training delivery

Data-driven decision making

Strategic partnership

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR

Advanced degree or SHRM-SCP/SPHR certification preferred

Job description

Lehigh University

Lehigh University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Lehigh University provides comprehensive benefits including partner benefits.

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 evade.

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.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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