What are the responsibilities and job description for the Employee Relations Consultant II position at Inside Higher Ed?
Job Title
Employee Relations Consultant II
Requisition Number
RE53878
Department Name
3JHRE:Employee Relations/Leave Administration
Work Location:
Lexington, KY
Grade Level
49
Salary Range
$72,405-119,496/year
Type Of Position
Staff
Position Time Status
Full-Time
Required Education
BA
Click here for more information about equivalencies::
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience
7 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification
None
Physical Requirements
The essential job functions of this position require you to: communicate and build working relationships with staff, faculty and candidates; abide by University guidelines; maintain confidentiality; prioritize and manage work effectively; provide exceptional customer service and positively represent the university; ensure work is detailed, accurate and completed in a timely manner; perform work in a sedentary position; interact with individuals from various levels throughout the university and work successfully in a team as well as independently. The physical requirements of this position will include occasionally lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects up to 50lbs; occasionally standing or walking with objects up to 25lbs; sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods of time with repetitive motions (such as typing); and occasional (<10% of the time) job-related travel.
Shift
Primarily Monday – Friday 8:00 am –5:00 pm; additional hours may be required based on departmental needs.
Job Summary
The Employee Relations Consultant II serves as a senior-level expert and strategic partner within the Employee Relations function. This role is responsible for independently managing the organization’s most complex and sensitive employee relations cases, including those involving staff and faculty, and is empowered to recommend and approve outcomes in accordance with policy, precedent, and legal requirements. This role partners closely with HR Business Partners, Faculty Advancement, Legal, Compliance, and leadership to ensure consistent, fair, and defensible practices across the institution.
In addition to case ownership, the Employee Relations Consultant II contributes to ER strategy, governance, reporting, and preventive initiatives that strengthen leader capability, reduce organizational risk, and advance a positive and compliant workplace culture.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
No
Preferred Education/Experience
7–10 years of progressive Employee Relations experience, including complex case management, investigations, and senior-level consultation within large, complex, and regulated organizations (e.g., higher education, healthcare, public sector, or similarly structured environments).
Preferred
05/31/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Employee Relations Consultant II
Requisition Number
RE53878
Department Name
3JHRE:Employee Relations/Leave Administration
Work Location:
Lexington, KY
Grade Level
49
Salary Range
$72,405-119,496/year
Type Of Position
Staff
Position Time Status
Full-Time
Required Education
BA
Click here for more information about equivalencies::
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience
7 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification
None
Physical Requirements
The essential job functions of this position require you to: communicate and build working relationships with staff, faculty and candidates; abide by University guidelines; maintain confidentiality; prioritize and manage work effectively; provide exceptional customer service and positively represent the university; ensure work is detailed, accurate and completed in a timely manner; perform work in a sedentary position; interact with individuals from various levels throughout the university and work successfully in a team as well as independently. The physical requirements of this position will include occasionally lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects up to 50lbs; occasionally standing or walking with objects up to 25lbs; sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods of time with repetitive motions (such as typing); and occasional (<10% of the time) job-related travel.
Shift
Primarily Monday – Friday 8:00 am –5:00 pm; additional hours may be required based on departmental needs.
Job Summary
The Employee Relations Consultant II serves as a senior-level expert and strategic partner within the Employee Relations function. This role is responsible for independently managing the organization’s most complex and sensitive employee relations cases, including those involving staff and faculty, and is empowered to recommend and approve outcomes in accordance with policy, precedent, and legal requirements. This role partners closely with HR Business Partners, Faculty Advancement, Legal, Compliance, and leadership to ensure consistent, fair, and defensible practices across the institution.
In addition to case ownership, the Employee Relations Consultant II contributes to ER strategy, governance, reporting, and preventive initiatives that strengthen leader capability, reduce organizational risk, and advance a positive and compliant workplace culture.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
- Expert knowledge of employee relations principles, employment law, and investigative practices
- Advanced consultation and coaching skills with leaders and HR partners
- Strong risk assessment, analytical, and decision-making capabilities
- Ability to interpret and apply policy, precedent, and legal guidance in complex and ambiguous situations
- High degree of emotional intelligence, discretion, and professionalism
- Ability to analyze ER data, identify trends, and translate insights into preventive action
- Strong written communication skills, including investigation reports and leadership summaries
No
Preferred Education/Experience
7–10 years of progressive Employee Relations experience, including complex case management, investigations, and senior-level consultation within large, complex, and regulated organizations (e.g., higher education, healthcare, public sector, or similarly structured environments).
Preferred
- SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP
- PHR / SPHR
- Advanced Workplace Investigation certification or equivalent professional training
05/31/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Salary : $72,405 - $119,496