Senior Employee Relations Consultant

City of Richmond; Richmond (AL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Richmond seeks a Senior Employee Relations Consultant to partner with departments on complex employee relations matters, investigations, and policy interpretation. You will ensure fair, legally compliant resolution and foster a respectful work environment.

The role mitigates risk, supports accountability, and aligns with city values and regulations, handling high-risk investigations and advising leadership on discipline and policy updates.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive HR experience in Human Resources or Organizational Psychology.
• Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business/Public Administration or related field.
• HR certification (SPHR/PHR/SHRM-SCP/SHRM-CP) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor on employee relations matters.
• Lead complex, high-risk workplace investigations.
• Prepare investigative reports with findings and recommendations.
• Ensure consistent application of policies and laws.
• Support audits, litigation, and external inquiries.
• Interpret City Administrative Regulations and laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII).
• Partner with HR leadership on policy updates.

Skills

Employee relations

Policy interpretation

Investigations

Disciplinary actions

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Case management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business/Public Administration or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Case management software

Job description

Posting number: 35M00000245

Department: Human Resources

Job classification: Management Analyst, Principal*

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administrative Assistant, Human Resources

Summary

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.

Examples of duties

• 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.

Qualifications

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