Executive Director of Employee Relations and Learning and Development, Human Resources

External Applicants:

Please ensure all required documents are ready to upload before beginning your application, including your resume, cover letter, and any additional materials specified in the job description.

Cover Letter and Supporting Documents:

• Navigate to the "My Experience" application page.

• Locate the "Resume/CV" document upload section at the bottom of the page.

• Use the "Select Files" button to upload your cover letter, resume, and any other required supporting documents. You can select multiple files.

Important Note: The "My Experience" page is the only opportunity to attach your cover letter, resume, and supporting documents. You will not be able to modify your application or add attachments after submission.

Current Employees:

Apply from your existing Workday account in the Jobs Hub. Do not apply from this website.

A cover letter is required for all positions; optional for facilities, campus services, and hospitality roles unless otherwise specified.

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Essential Functions:

Leadership

• Advise and consult on the overall strategy for Employee Relations and Learning and Development, establish priorities and set goals; evaluate and implement standards to ensure alignment with department and organizational objectives.
• Work collaboratively with the CHRO and their direct reports regarding departmental strategic planning and oversight of daily team workflow.
• Lead the development of processes to analyze and assess program utilization, employee feedback, competitiveness, and outcomes to ensure that effective and cost-effective programs are offered.
• Recruit, interview, hire, and support the training of new staff.
• Provide constructive and timely performance evaluations to direct reports and act as a campus-wide resource as it relates to performance management.
• Manage each functional area and direct reports to ensure high levels of engagement and performance.
• Design and facilitate presentations on relevant topics to diverse campus constituencies.
• Utilize metrics to drive proposals and decisions.
• Display exemplary leadership behaviors within the HR team, across Finance and Administration, and with all campus partners.

Employee Relations

• Provide assistance and leadership on employee relations issues for faculty and staff and consult with leadership on these matters.
• Oversee and provide assistance in staff investigations that involve employee relation matters and discrimination and or harassment matters.
• Consult with legal counsel around concerns of risk.
• May serve as Human Resources liaison to the CARE, Threat Assessment, or other emergency management teams.
• Ensure compliance with human resource policies and procedures and participate in policy creation and revision.
• Work alongside the Executive Director of the Office of Institutional Equity to respond to employees on concerns related to applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws including Title VII, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and other similar federal and state laws.
• Provide facilitated conversations to help resolve disagreements between faculty and/or staff.
• Assist managers and supervisors in understanding and implementing University policies related to performance, discipline, and related topics.

Learning and Development

• Ensure the design, planning, and implementation of training and development programs align with the objectives and strategy of WFU.
• Provide modern career and professional development relevant to WFU staff and faculty communities.
• Stay current with best practices in the higher ed learning and organizational development field so that WFU employees receive constantly updated content and modalities (podcasts, etc).
• Partner with the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and other partners to consider/support faculty development needs.
• Periodically complete needs assessments with campus partners to confirm that Learning and Development is providing appropriate content using a variety of suitable methods.
• Support the Director of Learning & Development on the execution of the Organizational Development Conference every other year.
• Explore gaps and recommend to CHRO additional resources as appropriate.

Other Functions:

• Conduct activities in a manner that displays an awareness of the formal and informal chains of command and the culture and organizational dynamics of the organization.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor's or other advanced degree plus eight years of combined experience in related HR functional areas, with at least five years in a supervisory role.
• Proven success in leading teams, managing complexity, and building trust across diverse stakeholders.
• Skill in developing, managing, and implementing new strategies, procedures, and large-scale projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively with various constituencies in a community of different constituent groups.
• Thorough understanding of human resources and labor relations principles, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal and state employment laws, regulations, and private sector employment policies.
• Thorough understanding of organizational development and training program administration, including design, development, and delivery.
• Excellent management skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with employees, executive leadership, boards, officials, directors, and other stakeholders.
• Experience presenting to campus constituents and senior leadership.
• Working understanding of statistical concepts and methods of data collection and evaluation.
• Ability to compile, research, and analyze information.
• Ability to compose and present comprehensive reports, and to use data to support leadership decisions.
• Ability to lead large change initiatives using a proven change management methodology.
• Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization hierarchy, jobs, and the administrative practices.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Relevant Master's degree.
• SPHR, PHR, or other related certification.
• Higher education experience.
• Workday or other HRIS experience.
• Coaching certification.

Accountabilities:

• Serve as manager for the director in each HR area reporting to this position.

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work. Talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Close visual acuity.

Environmental Conditions:

• Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Subject to inside environmental conditions.

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact AskHR@wfu.eduor (336) 758-4700.