Director of Employee Relations and Engagement

Posting Details

Posting Details

​Benefits of Working at UNCW

Want to become a soaring UNCW Seahawk and work at one of the best universities on the East Coast? Want to put your toes in the sand after a day of work? The University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a wonderfully vibrant university community along with a beautiful location just miles from the beach.

Employees of UNCW are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other programs, resources, policies, and practices that help to support a work/life balance. Our programs have been designed to provide a variety of choices to best fit your needs and the needs of your family. Full time employees are eligible for dental, vision and health insurance plans. Health insurance benefit plans eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Full time employees are also eligible for the tuition waiver program which covers the cost of tuition and fees for up to three (3) undergraduate or graduate courses per academic year at UNCW or any other university within the UNC System. In addition, UNCW covers the cost of tuition and fees for one UNCW course each summer session.

As a full time employee, UNCW also offers a free membership to the Campus Recreation Center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, meditation and yoga sessions, voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays, 24 hours of paid community service leave time, paid vacation and sick leave accrual and family medical leave after 12 months of continuous service.

We also offer an abundance of training and development programs through our Dare to Learn Academy , Skillport , and the employee assistance program , many of which are offered free of charge.

Working Title

Director of Employee Relations and Engagement

External Link to Posting

https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/27067

Vacancy Number

E875

Position Number

0078

Location of Workplace

Main UNCW Campus

Department

Human Resources - 35700

Division

Chancellor - 25000 Division

Brief Summary of Work for this Position

The Director of Employee Relations and Engagement is an intentional, hands-on practitioner responsible for setting the vision and strategic priorities of the unit in collaboration with the Sr. Employee Relations Consultant, Sr. Learning & Development Specialist, and Diversity Equity and Inclusion Specialist who are subject matter experts that demonstrate objectivity, intellectual flexibility, diversity of thought, sensitivity to communications, empathy to understand people, and independence to manage the responsibilities of their positions, which include complex and escalated matters.

The Director also works collaboratively with campus administrators, the UNC System Office, and colleagues, managers, supervisors, and employees across the campus on a variety of organizational issues and initiatives. The position requires independent research, evaluation, development, recommendation, and implementation of innovative strategies and best practices that address long-standing and/or newly emerging employee engagement and retention issues across the campus.

The Director serves as an internal change agent who can ensure new processes, procedures, structures, training, etc., are implemented in ways that deliver organizational value. In addition, the position serves on the HR department leadership team and contributes to organizational change and strategy-based initiatives to meet the current and future needs of the Human Resources Department. This position reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources.

The major job functions include:

• Directs employee relations programs, policies, and procedures. This includes developing and pursuing new goals and ideas for improvement in associated areas, enhancing employee relations through consultation and programs aimed at enhancing working relationships, and building an inclusive workplace culture.
• Oversees employee onboarding and engagement programs and initiatives that enhance faculty and staff satisfaction, sense of community, and belonging.
• Advances a diverse and inclusive culture for all.
• Directs learning and development programs and performance management. This includes overseeing the delivery of learning and development programs, the annual performance cycle, and directing initiatives in the design of programs appropriate for management and employees on a variety of topics that meet organizational needs.
• Manages a variety of compliance-related policies, engagement programs, learning initiatives, and activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned on a needed or required basis.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Master’s degree in HR or closely related field and at least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources. (Note: A bachelor’s degree in HR or closely related field with a minimum of 5 years of substantially relevant professional HR experience may be substituted for the advanced degree on an exceptional basis.)
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal communication, and teamwork skills to engage and communicate effectively with individuals, small groups, and large audiences at all levels of the organization.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience of professional staff.
• Demonstrated ability to develop a team that values customer service, collaboration, and creative problem solving.
• Broad knowledge of the values, concepts, methods, and theories of modern HR management to facilitate change and implement best practices.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws, policies, and regulations. (i.e., EEO, Title VII, Title IX)

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Master’s degree in HR or closely related field and at least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources.
• At least 3 years of experience in employee relations in public higher education, within the UNC System preferred.
• At least one year of experience interpreting and applying North Carolina employment laws and regulations and related UNC System and North Carolina Office of State Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Experience in learning and development.
• Experience interpreting and applying knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws, policies, and regulations. (i.e., EEO, Title VII, Title IX)
• Knowledge of federal and state compliance with EEO, Title VII and Title IX policies and regulations.
• Experience in leading change and implementing new processes, procedures, structures, and associated training through effective project management.
• Strong critical thinking, investigative and problem-solving skills.
• Experience coaching/consulting with senior leadership.
• Mediation and conflict resolution experience (NC OSHR Mediation Certification preferred).
• Experience implementing surveys, reviewing data, and formulating recommendations.
• SHRM -CP or SHRM - SCP Certification.

Required Certifications or Licensures

N/A

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The Human Resources Department provides comprehensive services to in support of UNCW in the areas of talent acquisition and employment services, HRIS and salary administration, position classification and compensation, benefits, learning and talent development, and employee relations.

College/School Information

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and a community rich in diversity, inclusion and global perspectives.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to- BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

EEO Statement

At the University of North Carolina at Wilmington ( UNCW ), our culture reflects our values of inclusion, diversity, globalization, ethics and integrity and innovation and we are committed to providing equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs. UNCW believes that embracing the unique contributions of our faculty, staff and students is critical to our success and paramount in being recognized for our global mindset.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Number of Openings

Single Incumbent

Special Notes to Applicants

Position will remain open until filled.

PLEASE NOTE : This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application before you apply for this position. Failure to answer all required questions will cause the system to disqualify your application.

For more info/to apply visit http://jobs.uncw.edu. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.

You will be required to attach a cover letter and resume to successfully apply for this position. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have completed the ‘Work History’ section of the application before you apply for this position.

Months Per Year

12 Months

FTE

1.0 (40 hours per week)

Type of Position

Permanent

Anticipated Ending Date if Time-Limited Positions

Job Posting Date

12/16/2022

Posting Close Date

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. List of 3 Professional References

Optional Documents Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you learn of this opportunity with UNC Wilmington?
   • UNCW LinkedIn Page
   • UNCW Facebook Page
   • UNCW Twitter Account
   • UNCW Website
   • Indeed.com
   • InsideHigherEd.com
   • Carolina Job Finder / Employment Guide
   • Direct Contact from UNCW HR Representative / Recruiter
   • UNCW Employee Referral
   • Craigslist
   • Other Social Media Tools
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Other