Employee Relations Lead, Human Resources

The University of Nevada, Reno, seeks a collaborative and experienced Employee Relations Lead to join our Human Resources team. Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, this is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture at Nevada's flagship land-grant university.

The Employee Relations Lead is responsible for managing and resolving complex workplace issues, fostering a positive employee experience, and ensuring fair, consistent application of company policies. This role partners closely with HR, Legal, and business leaders to mitigate risk, conduct investigations, and strengthen organizational culture. The Employee Relations Lead provides consultation to employees, supervisors, managers, and HR partners on the application of federal, state, and university employment laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

This position conducts investigations and provides consultation that requires specialized expertise and coordinated resolution strategies. This role may provide guidance and consultation to management, employees, and HR partners regarding collective bargaining agreements, labor-related policies, and applicable employment laws, and ensure consistent application of labor agreements and compliance with state and federal labor regulations.

The Lead provides training on a variety of employee relations/labor relations-related topics, engages with vendors, and fulfills other HR duties as needed.

For more information about Human Resources, please visit: https://www.unr.edu/hr

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree and four (4) years of related professional work experience; OR

Master’s degree and two (2) years of related professional work experience.

Related Experience: Employee relations and/or labor relations experience, training development and delivery, experience conducting workplace investigations, experience with performance management and conflict resolution, application of employment law or related.

Preferred Qualifications

PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP preferred

Compensation Grade

Comp Grade C

The typical range for this position is $85,000-$105.000.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience.

Remarkable Retirement

Our retirement plan is beyond compare. Your 19.25% contribution is generously matched by the University. With the faculty retirement plan, you are 100% vested your first day. Sit back and watch your retirement dollars grow! All permanent employees on an annual "A" or "B" contract who are employed at least 50% full-time are eligible to participate in the NSHE retirement program unless they are members of PERS of Nevada.

Perks of Working at UNR

• Health insurance options including dental and vision - Health Insurance
• Generous annual, sick leave, long term disability and life insurance – Faculty Benefits
• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers annual or semester memberships and spouse/domestic partner membership options. E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center
• Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments. Mountain EAP is located in Reno and specializes in counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues.
• Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty. Its membership includes representatives from each academic and administrative major unit of the University. Faculty Senate
• No state income tax!

Grants-in-Aid for Faculty Employees

The University is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents. Faculty can take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate. Dependents of faculty have unlimited credits, but in order to be eligible children must be unmarried and under the age of 24 and must receive at least 50% of their financial support from the employee and/or employee’s spouse or domestic partner. Faculty Grants-in-Aid

Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples’ professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them in identifying career opportunities in Northern Nevada. Dual Career Assistance Program

Full Consideration

For full consideration, please apply by July 27, 2026.

This posting is open until filled

Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. This search will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.