Senior Employee Relations Consultant

City of Richmond; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Richmond seeks a Senior Employee Relations Consultant to serve as a strategic partner on complex employee relations matters and workplace investigations. You will ensure fair, compliant resolution of issues while supporting a respectful work environment across City departments.

Responsibilities include guiding disciplinary actions, interpreting policies, and leading high‑risk investigations with detailed reports. Collaboration with HR leadership to update policies is expected.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in HR, behavioral sciences, or organizational psychology.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field as listed in minimum qualifications.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws (ADA, FMLA, FLSA) and policy interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Advise department directors on employee relations matters.
• Lead complex workplace investigations with detailed reporting.
• Ensure consistent application of policies and laws across departments.
• Interpret regulations and advise on compliance with federal/state laws.
• Partner with HR leadership to update policies based on trends.
• Advise on progressive discipline and corrective actions.
• Draft disciplinary documentation as needed.
• Provide support during audits, litigation, and inquiries.

Skills

Employee relations

Workplace investigations

Policy interpretation

Disciplinary actions

FLSA/FMLA awareness

ADA compliance

Communication skills

Case management

Confidentiality

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Public Administration

Tools

Case management software

Job description

The Senior Employee Relations Consultant serves as a strategic partner providing expert guidance on complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, and policy interpretation. This role is responsible for ensuring fair, consistent, and legally compliant resolution of employee issues while fostering a respectful and productive work environment across City departments.

This position plays a critical role in mitigating organizational risk, promoting accountability, and supporting a culture aligned with the City of Richmond’s values and administrative regulations.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to department directors, managers, and supervisors on employee relations matters.
• Provide guidance on disciplinary actions, performance management, conflict resolution, and workplace concerns.
• Ensure consistent application of City policies, administrative regulations, and employment laws.

• Lead and conduct complex, high-risk, and sensitive workplace investigations.
• Prepare detailed investigative reports, including findings of facts and recommendations.
• Ensure investigations are conducted in a timely, impartial, and legally defensible manner.
• Interpret City Administrative Regulations, and applicable federal/state laws (e.g., FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII).
• Partner with HR leadership to recommend policy updates and enhancements based on trends and case outcomes.
• Advise leadership on progressive discipline and corrective action strategies.
• Review and recommend disciplinary actions to ensure consistency and equity across departments.
• Assist with drafting disciplinary documentation.
• Provide support during audits, litigation, and external agency inquiries.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of best practice procedures used to investigate and resolve employee or workplace concerns including best practices as they relate to reducing bias during the investigation process.
• Extensive experience ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations such as ADA, FMLA, etc.
• Sound judgment, high integrity and the ability to handle complex, highly sensitive and confidential information relating to HR.
• Experience conducting fact-finding and tracking/reporting employee relations grievances using a case management system.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Flexibility and ability to balance conflicting priorities.
• Works with a high degree of confidentiality, autonomy and accountability for decisions
• Collaborative team player
• Advanced Microsoft Office experience, including virtual team platforms for meetings, shared team documents, and instant messaging communications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in one or more of the following fields: Human Resources, Behavioral or Social Science or Organizational Psychology
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Business, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in one or more of the following fields: Human Resources, Behavioral or Social Science or Organizational Psychology
• Certification in Human Resources: SPHR, PHR, SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP, or equivalent in HR field preferred