Human Resources Manager - Employee Relations

City of Wilmington, NC; Wilmington (NC); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Excellent retirement benefits

Health insurance

Telework availability

Job summary

The City of Wilmington, NC seeks an experienced HR leader to serve as Employee Relations Manager, guiding investigations, compliance, and HR initiatives across the organization.

You will develop programs and supervise HR staff while partnering with leaders to address workforce challenges and foster a fair, accountable culture. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field with 5+ years of progressive experience in employee relations, compliance, or investigations.
• Two years of supervisory and program management experience either required or highly preferred.
• Professional HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR) or investigation-related certification preferred (required within 1 year).

Responsibilities

• Lead administrative investigations into alleged violations of policies and employment standards.
• Oversee investigation lifecycle from intake to final report.
• Develop investigative strategies and allocate resources.
• Conduct unbiased interviews with stakeholders and review evidence.
• Prepare comprehensive investigative reports and present findings to leadership.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Multitask management

Confidentiality

Discretion

Independent judgment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR / Public Administration / Business Administration / Criminal Justice / Organizational Psychology

Job description

Position Description

One City. One Team. One Purpose.

The City is seeking an experienced HR leader to serve as an Employee Relations Manager and play a key role in strengthening our workforce and fostering a culture of fairness, accountability, and trust. In this role, you will lead impactful HR initiatives, oversee complex employee relations matters, and partner with leaders across the City to address workforce challenges and develop solutions that support both employees and organizational goals.

You will lead and develop HR staff and teams, manage strategic projects, and develop and implement programs, policies, and procedures that advance organizational priorities. You will also ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and contribute to citywide initiatives, teams, and committees.

Typical Tasks

Workplace Investigations

• Oversees and directs administrative investigations into alleged violations of City policies and employment standards.
• Manages the full investigation lifecycle, including intake, planning, execution and delivery of the final report.
• Develops investigative strategies, establishes scope and allocates resources appropriately.
• Conducts or oversees structured, unbiased interviews with complainants, respondents, and witnesses.
• Reviews, evaluates, and synthesizes documentary, electronic, and other forms of evidence.
• Assesses credibility, applies appropriate evidentiary standards, and ensures consistency in findings.
• Produces or oversees the preparation of comprehensive investigative reports, including factual summaries, findings, and policy analysis.
• Communicates investigation outcomes and recommendations to HR leadership and departmental leadership.
• Ensures confidentiality, compliance, and adherence to investigative protocols throughout all phases.
• Provides guidance to managers on addressing performance concerns, developing performance improvement plans (PIPs), and implementing disciplinary actions.

Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Interprets and applies federal, state, and local employment laws, including but not limited to Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, and related statutes.
• Ensure HR processes and City policies remain current, compliant with labor laws, and effectively communicated across departments.
• Identifies emerging legal, compliance, or reputational risks and escalates concerns to HR leadership with recommended actions.
• Oversee and maintains accurate, complete and defensible documentation to support compliance and organizational decision making.

Case Management & Reporting

• Oversees investigation files within a case management system, ensuring consistency.
• Monitors case progress and timelines to ensure timely resolution and adherence to policies.
• Analyzes employee relations trends and provides insight and recommendation to support proactive workforce strategies.
• Prepares and delivers reports and trend analyses to HR leadership to inform decision-making and policy development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Organizational Psychology, or related field and five (5) years of progressive experience in employee relations, compliance, or administrative investigations, with two (2) years of supervisor and program management experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Valid driver's license
• Professional HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR) or investigation-related certification preferred (required within 1 year of hire)
• Strong analytical skills, sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage sensitive matters in a complex municipal environment.
• Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations and preparing formal written reports.
• Knowledge of analyzing and reporting trends for employment law and investigative best practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex cases simultaneously.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and maintain confidentiality.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

Office Work: Primarily sedentary, involving prolonged sitting, computer use, telephone and office equipment operation, and standard office tasks. Requires visual acuity, hearing, and manual dexterity for reviewing documents, analyzing data, and completing administrative responsibilities.

Working Conditions

This position is primarily office-based, utilizing standard office equipment in a climate-controlled setting and adhering to applicable safety and ergonomic guidelines.

Our Core Values

INCLUSION | COLLABORATION | CREATIVITY | ACCOUNTABILITY

Our Mission Statement: Through forward-thinking policies and responsible stewardship, we are creating a better city every day with excellent core services and quality of life for all.

What We Offer

The City of Wilmington believes that employees are one of our most important resources. We offer an excellent salary and competitive benefits package to serve the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package includes:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options
• Excellent retirement benefits, including a city provided 4.5% contribution each pay period into a 401(k) account and automatic enrollment into the North Carolina Local Government Employees’ Retirement System
• Employer-paid health & wellness clinic
• Free on-site city gym access
• Paid sick and vacation leave + 13 paid holidays per year
• 6-weeks paid parental leave
• Paid volunteer & blood donation leave to give back to our community
• Flex schedule and telework availability, depending on your position
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives
• Tuition assistance benefits

Health Benefits are offered to employees working at least 30 hours per week.

Health Insurance - The City offers two options for health coverage: a standard PPO plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire for employees and their eligible dependents. Both you and the City contribute to the overall cost of coverage.

Dental Insurance - Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire. Employees, their spouse and dependent children are eligible for coverage.

Life Insurance - The city pays to provide coverage valued at one times your annual salary. Supplemental insurance is available for employees to purchase. Optional coverage for dependents is also available for purchase.

Retirement

• NC Local Government Retirement System - All benefits eligible employees make a mandatory 6% contribution every pay period.
• Deferred Compensation – The city contributes an amount equal to 4.5% of the annual salary to a 401(k) plan regardless of employee contribution. Employees may choose to contribute additional money to the 401(k) or 457 deferred compensation plans, without a match from the City, within the IRS guidelines.

Paid Leave (offered to employees working at least 1,000 hours annually*):

• Sick Leave - 12 days accrued each year
• Annual Leave - Accrual based on years of service and classification. Employees can earn from 10 to 24 days each year.
• Holidays - 13 paid holidays annually
• Paid Parental Leave - Six weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or placement of a child (must run concurrently with FMLA).
• Part-Time Employees will earn paid leave benefits on a pro-rated basis.

Miscellaneous

• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Cancer & Critical Illness
• Accident Insurance
• Whole Life Insurance
• Credit Union membership
• Access to City Fitness Center

Note: The City of Wilmington is on a bi-weekly pay cycle. New employees should expect to receive their first paycheck approximately 4 weeks after their start date.

This is intended to be a brief overview of the benefits offered. Please visit our website at https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Government/Departments-Divisions/Human-Resources/Benefits for more information.