Employee Relations and Engagement Manager-60016122

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Vacation & sick leave

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Deferred compensation

Retirement plans

Job summary

State of South Carolina is seeking an experienced Employee Relations and Engagement Manager to lead employee relations, performance management, leave administration, compliance, and engagement initiatives across the agency. The role emphasizes advising leaders, interpreting policy, and fostering a compliant, positive workplace culture.

The position is located onsite in Columbia, SC and requires collaboration with HR, Legal Counsel, and agency leadership to maintain consistent HR policies and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and relevant HR experience or an approved equivalency by State Human Resources based on years of experience.
• Experience advising leaders through complex or sensitive employee matters and interpreting policy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build relationships across the organization.
• Experience in leave administration, performance management, and compliance with applicable laws.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance to managers on employee relations matters, investigations, disciplinary actions, and policy interpretation.
• Oversee leave programs including FMLA and other applicable leaves, ensuring compliance and timely processing.
• Manage unemployment claims and represent the agency before tribunal as needed.
• Oversee the Employee Performance Management System in SuccessFactors and monitor EPMS records in SCEIS.
• Develop resources and guidance for managers on performance planning and evaluations.
• Lead engagement initiatives and coordinate HR projects across functional areas.

Skills

Employee relations

Policy interpretation

Investigations

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Job description

Employee Relations and Engagement Manager

The Department of Administration's (Admin) Human Resources office is seeking an experienced and service-oriented Employee Relations and Engagement Manager to lead key employee relations, performance management, leave administration, compliance, and engagement initiatives for the agency. This role is ideal for a collaborative HR professional who exercises sound judgment, communicates effectively, and is comfortable advising leaders through complex and sensitive employee matters. The successful candidate will help promote consistent application of HR policies, strengthen manager and employee support, and foster a positive, compliant, and productive workplace culture. The ideal candidate will bring strong employee relations experience, excellent judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced HR environment. This individual should be comfortable advising leaders, interpreting policy, handling confidential matters, developing practical solutions, and building strong working relationships across all levels of the organization.

This position is located onsite in Columbia, SC.

Responsibilities of the Employee Relations and Engagement Manager:

• Provide expert guidance managers and supervisors on employee relations matters, including employee complaints, investigations, disciplinary actions, and policy interpretation. Oversees the exit interview and grievance review processes and represents the agency in mediations, grievance proceedings, hearings, appeals, and other employee relations matters.
• Partner closely with the HR Director and Legal Counsel on complex, sensitive, or high-risk employee relations issues.
• Serve as the agency's EEO Officer, including reviewing and responding to discrimination and harassment matters, SCHAC filings or charges, and completing Admin's annual EEO reporting process.
• Manage unemployment claims and represent the agency, as needed, before the SC Department of Employment and Workforce Appeal Tribunal.
• Ensure compliance with DOT random drug and alcohol testing requirements.
• Oversee the Employee Performance Management System program in SuccessFactors, monitor agency compliance, provide reports on upcoming performance reviews, and ensure accurate covered status and EPMS records in SCEIS.
• Develop and maintain tools, resources, and guidance for managers and employees related to performance planning, evaluations, improvement plans, and performance management processes.
• Lead and supervise the agency's Leave and Extended Leave Program, including FMLA, ADA, leave without pay, military leave, paid parental leave, and other applicable leave programs. Ensure leave programs are administered in compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, agency policy, and required deadlines.
• Provide guidance to employees and managers on leave matters; identify and monitor extended leave needs; coordinate required documentation; and ensure timely processing in SCEIS. Collaborate with Benefits and Payroll teams to monitor leave records, ensure accuracy, and help prevent payroll overpayments.
• Develop, implement, and manage agencywide employee engagement initiatives, including Public Service Recognition Week and other programs that support employee connection and recognition.
• Lead strategic and operational improvements aligned with agency goals, HR priorities, and organizational needs. Coordinate special projects and collaborate across HR functional areas to ensure successful implementation.
• Oversee Employee Relations training initiatives, including New Employee Orientation content, and partner with Internal Training leadership as a subject matter expert or trainer for ER-related topics.
• Coach, train, and support assigned staff through clear expectations, performance development, workflow improvement, and consistent leadership. Foster a collaborative, team-focused environment that supports service excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned to include serving as backup to the Employee Relations and Leave Manager for Shared Services, as requested.

A bachelor's degree and relevant HR experience or an approved equivalency by State Human Resources based on years of experience.

Additional Requirements:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of HR management.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations regarding HR management.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of people.
• Skill in conducting interviews, gathering information, and conducting investigations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex policies and procedures.

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may bring a copy of college transcript to the interview. A copy of the transcript may also be uploaded as an attachment to the application, if required by the hiring department or if desired by the applicant. Please note that some areas of the Department may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area, after hiring. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.

The Department of Administration is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The South Carolina Department of Administration offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices *
• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.