Senior Employee Relations Consultant

Department: Human Resources

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason Human Resources is dedicated to creating a people-centered environment where every employee feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our mission is to attract, engage, and retain talented faculty and staff through meaningful programs and practices that foster connection, growth, and well-being.

As a trusted strategic partner, our team champions an all-inclusive and innovative culture that prioritizes community and belonging. We play a vital role in advancing the university’s goals by designing and delivering services that support each employee’s professional and personal journey.

Serving over 12,000 employees and retirees, our HR team continuously evolves to meet the needs of a dynamic, diverse, and dedicated workforce, building a workplace where people can do their best work and feel a strong sense of purpose.

About the Position:

The Senior Employee Relations Consultant serves as a trusted advisor and proactive problem-solver within the Office of Human Resources. Reporting to the Director of Employee Relations, this position plays a key role in managing complex workplace issues, providing guidance and conflict resolution services in support of a respectful and inclusive work environment for over 12,000 employees.

As a senior member of the Employee Relations team, this position provides expert consultation on a broad range of employee matters including performance management, policy interpretation, workplace conflict, environmental assessments and investigations, and compliance. This role is also responsible for mentoring team members, ensuring compliance with institutional and regulatory standards while supporting a healthy organizational climate.

This position exercises sound judgment, institutional awareness, a deep knowledge of employment law, and a collaborative approach to advancing employee relations practices across a complex, diverse, and dynamic academic community.

Responsibilities:

Employee Relations Strategy and Consultation

• Serves as a senior advisor to university supervisors, department leaders, and HR partners on complex and sensitive employee relations matters;
• Leads the resolution of high-risk or high-profile cases involving employee performance, conduct, interpersonal conflict, and policy compliance;
• Provides expert interpretation and application of university policies, collective concerns, and state and federal employment laws; and
• Supports an environment of fairness and equity by ensuring consistent and inclusive resolution processes.

Leadership, Mentorship, and Case Oversight

• Mentors and supports junior employee relations staff, helping to develop case management capabilities and promote consistency across the team;
• Oversees assigned caseloads and ensure timely, thorough, and well-documented resolution of issues; and
• Participates in departmental planning, case triage, and internal knowledge sharing to enhance ER effectiveness and response readiness.

Stakeholder Engagement and Training

• Builds and sustains collaborative relationships with supervisors, academic leadership, HR partners, and employee support units;
• Leads the design and delivery of training on topics such as performance management, conflict resolution, and respectful workplace behaviors; and
• Represents the Employee Relations team on committees, work groups, and campus initiatives as assigned.

Resource Coordination and Outreach

• Provides referrals and maintain working knowledge of internal and external resources, including the Employee Assistance Program and community-based support services; and
• Identifies trends and recurring concerns and collaborates on proactive strategies that promote employee well-being and prevent workplace issues.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field (a master’s degree may substitute for some experience) or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Substantial experience in employee relations (typically 7+ years);
• Demonstrated experience handling complex employee relations matters in large or highly regulated organizations;
• In-depth knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations;
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, resolve conflicts, and maintain professionalism under pressure;
• Ability to analyze complex issues, exercise sound judgment, and develop practical, equitable solutions;
• High level of discretion and integrity in handling sensitive information; and
• Cultural awareness and demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations and viewpoints.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR);
• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP);
• Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP);
• Certification in Mediation or Conflict Resolution;
• Advanced degree or equivalent combination of education and substantial experience in employee relations;
• Considerable experience in a senior or lead employee relations role;
• Professional experience in a large higher education setting;
• Familiarity with faculty employment practices and classified staff grievance procedures;
• Experience with mediation, dispute resolution, and organizational climate assessments;
• Knowledge of HR systems and case tracking tools; and
• Coaching, training, and facilitation skills.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Senior Employee Relations Consultant at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide Cover Letter and Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: September 12, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  September 25, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes