Human Resources Manager - Employee Relations

City of Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Wilmington seeks an experienced HR leader to serve as Employee Relations Manager, strengthening our workforce and fostering fairness, accountability, and trust. You will lead HR initiatives, oversee complex employee relations matters, and partner with city leaders to address workforce challenges and develop solutions that support both employees and organizational goals.

You will lead HR staff and programs, manage strategic projects, and implement policies advancing city priorities while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of progressive experience in employee relations, compliance, or administrative investigations, with two years of supervisor and program management experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• HR certification or investigation-related certification preferred (required within 1 year of hire).
• Strong analytical, judgment, discretion, and ability to manage sensitive matters in a municipal environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversees 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 structured, unbiased interviews with complainants, respondents, and witnesses.
• Reviews, evaluates, and synthesizes documentary, electronic, and other forms of evidence.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written & verbal communication

Confidentiality & discretion

Leadership & supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Public Administration, Business Admin, Criminal Justice, Organizational Psychology, or related field

SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP / PHR / SPHR or investigation-related certification (preferred)

Job 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.

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 elevate 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.

• 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.

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.