Sr. HR Partner: Employee Relations & Institutional Compliance

Webster-University; Webster Groves (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Webster University in Saint Louis, MO invites an Sr. HR Partner focused on Employee Relations and Institutional Compliance.

Lead investigations, advise leaders on performance, and drive civil rights compliance, including Title IX, with neutrality and confidentiality. You will manage cases from intake to resolution, administer accommodations, and develop training across Human Resources, Academic Affairs, Legal, Public Safety and other university functions to reduce risk and strengthen workplace

Qualifications

• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in employee relations.
• Experience in investigations and Title IX compliance.
• Ability to advise leaders and interpret policies.
• Strong writing, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Experience with civil rights requirements (Title VI/VI/Title IX) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced consultation on employee relations and policy application.
• Conduct impartial investigations and prepare reports.
• Administer accommodations and interactive process discussions.
• Manage cases from intake to resolution and monitor deadlines.
• Deliver training and build partnerships across university functions.

Skills

Employee relations

Workplace investigations

Civil rights compliance

Title IX

Human Resources

Employment compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR / related field

Job description

Sr. HR Partner: Employee Relations & Institutional Compliance

#1166

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

External Job Description

The Civil Rights serves as the lead investigator where assigned and provides support for reports of alleged University policy violations. The Investigator interviews complainants, respondents and all witnesses and prepares a report of evidence and investigation findings. Coordinates outreach and educational programming opportunities related to Title VII, Title IX, VAWA, sex- and gender-based misconduct, bystander intervention. Reports to the Director for the Civil Compliance & Title IX Coordinator.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Employee Relations & Leader Consultation – 30%

• Provide advanced consultation to leaders regarding employee relations, performance management, corrective action, workplace conflict, employee complaints, policy application, and other workplace matters.
• Independently assess complex employee concerns and recommend appropriate courses of action consistent with University policies and practices.
• Coach leaders on effective issue resolution, documentation, performance expectations, and employee communication.
• Support employee relations matters associated with organizational and workforce changes.
• Identify recurring trends, organizational risks, and opportunities for proactive intervention.

2. Civil Rights Compliance & Workplace Investigations – 25%

• Conduct prompt, thorough, impartial, and appropriately documented investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual misconduct, workplace misconduct, and other policy concerns.
• Conduct investigative planning; complainant, respondent, and witness interviews; gathering testimonial, documentary and electronic evidence; trauma-informed investigative practices; and preparation of comprehensive investigative reports.
• Support matters arising under Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, and other applicable civil rights and employment requirements.
• Maintain appropriate neutrality, discretion, confidentiality, and professional judgment when handling sensitive matters.
• Escalate complex or significant institutional risks to the Director/Title IX Coordinator.

3. ADA & Workplace Accommodations – 20%

• Administer assigned workplace accommodation matters, including intake, documentation, interactive process discussions, case management, and follow-up.
• Consult with employees and leaders regarding essential job functions, workplace limitations, potential accommodations, and operational considerations.
• Develop accommodation recommendations consistent with established University procedures and applicable requirements.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality of medical and accommodation information.
• Escalate complex, high‑risk, disputed, or potentially precedent‑setting accommodation matters to the Director.

4. Case Management, Compliance & Risk – 15%

• Manage assigned employee relations, civil rights, investigation, and accommodation cases from intake through resolution.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case documentation and monitor applicable deadlines and follow-up requirements.
• Apply established employment and institutional policies consistently and identify matters requiring policy interpretation or escalation.
• Analyze case trends and data to identify systemic concerns, emerging risks, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Support compliance assessments, reporting, audits, and other institutional risk‑management activities as assigned.

5. Education & Institutional Partnership – 10%

• Develop and deliver training and guidance related to employee relations, civil rights, workplace conduct, investigations, accommodations, reporting responsibilities, and related compliance matters.
• Build effective partnerships across Human Resources, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Legal Affairs, Public Safety, and other University functions.
• Participate in institutional committees, working groups, and initiatives related to employee relations, civil rights, compliance, and workplace effectiveness.
• Support policy review, process improvement, and prevention initiatives.
• Perform other duties consistent with the scope and level of the position.

Location

Webster Groves Campus-WEBG

Minimum Qualifications

Requisite Experience

• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in employee relations, workplace investigations, civil rights compliance, Title IX, Human Resources, employment compliance, or a related field.

Demonstrated experience independently managing complex civil rights investigations and sensitive employee relations investigations.

Experience advising leaders on performance management, corrective action, workplace conflict, policy interpretation, and employee concerns.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Legal Studies, Organizational Leadership, Higher Education Administration, Psychology, or a related field required.
• Advanced employee relations consultation and problem‑solving.
• Workplace and civil rights investigation expertise.
• Working knowledge of Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, ADA, FMLA, and related employment and civil rights requirements.
• Strong case management and documentation capabilities.
• Ability to assess complex situations, identify risks, and develop practical recommendations.
• Strong consultation, facilitation, conflict‑resolution, and relationship‑management skills.
• Ability to influence leaders and stakeholders without formal authority.
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated judgment, impartiality, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive matters.
• Ability to recognize matters requiring escalation based on legal, institutional, reputational, or operational risk

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with ADA/workplace accommodation administration is strongly preferred.

Higher education or experience within another complex, highly regulated organization is preferred.

• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, ATIXA certification, workplace investigation certification, or comparable professional credential preferred. Prior Title IX or civil rights investigation experience is strongly preferred.

Department

People-HUMN

Physical Demands

Within the normal range of an office environment. May be required to lift, push or pull up to 20 pounds.

This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Information on race, gender and national origin will only be used for statistical and recordkeeping purposes, and will not be used in making any employment decisions. All information provided will be kept separate from your expression of interest. Providing this information is strictly voluntary, and you will not be subjected to any adverse action or treatment if you choose not to provide this information. If you do not choose to answer these questions, we ask that you select "Decline to Identify" for each question. Thank you for your voluntary cooperation.

EEO is the Law