Employee Relations Consultant

Job Description

Reporting to the University Employee Relations Director and serving as a collaborative member of the ER team The Employee Relations Consultant serves as a strategic partner to Human Resources Partners Supervisors and Employees providing expert guidance on employee relations matters to foster a positive work culture. This role also interacts with campus partners such as University Legal Office for Civil Rights Compliance and Prevention Education University Ombuds the Virginia Tech Police Department and more.
The ER Consultant supports the universitys mission by promoting fair and consistent employment practices interpreting policy and delivering proactive solutions. Serves as a neutral third party ensuring all parties understand ERs role as an institutional resource focused on fair process and equitable outcomes.
The ER Consultant operates within a three-tier service model providing self-service resources for routine matters consultation for complex situations requiring specialized expertise and direct case management for high-risk or precedent-setting cases. The consultant collaborates with HR Partners who retain primary responsibility for day-to-day ER in their units while serving as subject matter expert quality assurance resource and escalation point for matters requiring university-level coordination.

Required Qualifications

Bachelors degree in human resources business administration or related field and/or the equivalent level of training and experience
Professional experience providing employee relations or HR consulting.
Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.
Excellent interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills.
Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion and professionalism.
Demonstrated ability to analyze data and make data informed decisions
Ability to analyze complex issues exercise sound judgment and develop practical equitable solutions

Preferred Qualifications

Masters degree in a related field
Related professional certification (e.g. SHRM-CP/SCP PHR/SPHR).
Experience as an HR consultant in a complex organization
Experience in higher education or public sector HR
Experience using IT systems such as HR information systems and case management software

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience with a salary range of $

Hours per week

40

Review Date

November 12 2025

Additional Information

This position may beprominently onsite during the training/onboarding period then may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement of 3 days on site 2 days remote.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors College.The university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.