Senior Employee Relations Specialist

Reporting to the Director of Employee Relations, the Senior Employee Relations Specialist serves as a trusted advisor and senior-level resource on complex and sensitive employee relations matters involving faculty and staff. The position conducts workplace investigations and fact-finding reviews and provides expert guidance to administrators, deans, and managers on performance management, corrective action, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and employment law case management systems such as Maxient is necessary to maintain accurate, audit-ready records of investigations and performance-related actions. Through sound judgment, thoughtful analysis, and collaborative problem-solving, the Senior Employee Relations Specialist promotes fair and consistent employment practices, strengthens management effectiveness, and helps mitigate institutional risk. The position also supports the University's staff performance management program, maintains comprehensive and audit-ready case records, and contributes to a respectful, accountable, and productive workplace culture.

How to Apply: Interested candidates may apply online at https://jobs.coastal.edu/postings/122882. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

Required Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field is required. Experience in employee relations or a closely related field is required.

Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree or relevant professional certification (e.g., SHRM, PHR/SPHR, or workplace investigations certification). At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in employee relations, or a related human resources function. Significant experience conducting complex faculty and staff investigations in a higher education setting. Direct experience using Maxient or similar higher education case management platforms. Experience developing and delivering employee relations, performance management or workplace conduct training.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Leads complex and sensitive employee relations matters involving faculty and staff, including workplace concerns, misconduct allegations, policy violations, performance concerns, and conflict. Provides expert consultation to administrators, deans, supervisors, and managers regarding employee relations, performance management, corrective action, and the interpretation and application of University policies, faculty manuals, and applicable employment laws. Conducts impartial investigations, fact-finding reviews, mediations, and other resolution efforts and provides well-supported recommendations to promote fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes.
• Analyzes employee relations matters, case trends, workplace concerns, and policy application to identify patterns, emerging issues, and potential institutional risk. Advises leadership on appropriate courses of action and collaborates with University Counsel, Compliance, Title IX/Protected Rights, and other stakeholders to support consistent, equitable, and legally compliant employment practices.
• Prepares clear and comprehensive reports, investigative findings, recommendations, and supporting documentation related to employee relations matters and employment actions. Maintains confidential, accurate, and audit-ready case records within Maxient or comparable case management systems and coordinates documentation and fact-gathering related to unemployment claims and other matters requiring institutional response.
• Supports the development and continuous improvement of employee relations policies, programs, and practices affecting faculty and staff. Uses employee feedback, exit interview information, case trends, and workplace data to identify opportunities for improvement and develops or contributes to training and educational initiatives that strengthen supervisory practices, workplace compliance, conflict resolution, and employee relations effectiveness.
• Administers and supports the strategic development and continuous improvement of the University's staff performance management program. Provides guidance on performance expectations, evaluations, documentation, and related processes; promotes consistent and equitable performance management practices across the University; and identifies opportunities to strengthen processes, resources, training, and system effectiveness.

Human Resources Manager II (AG15/61121493/FTE-S01208P), full-time position with benefits. SC State Pay Grade: GEN11. Salary range: $67,728.00 - $94,758.00. Normal work hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May require evening and weekend work, to support the timely and successful completion of investigations and other employee relations matters. Out-of-state and/or in-state travel, to include overnight stays, to conferences or trainings may be required. Must be flexible to meet the special scheduling needs of the university.

Coastal Carolina University is a public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, South Carolina, just nine miles from the Atlantic coastal resort city of Myrtle Beach. Coastal Carolina University enrolls over 12,000 students from 48 states and 53 nations. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the baccalaureate and master's degrees of national and/or regional significance in the arts and sciences, business, humanities, education, and health and human services, a specialist degree in instructional technology, and PhD degrees in marine science: coastal and marine systems science and education sciences.

The University provides equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, national origin, or because an employee or applicant for employment is an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, an Armed Forces service medal veteran, a recently separated veteran, or an active-duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, or other "protected veteran," as defined by law. Coastal Carolina University is an EO/AA employer.

Required Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field; experience in employee relations or a closely related field is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree or relevant professional certification (e.g., SHRM, PHR/SPHR, or workplace investigations certification). At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in employee relations, or a related human resources function. Significant experience conducting complex faculty and staff investigations in a higher education setting. Direct experience using Maxient or similar higher education case management platforms. Experience developing and delivering employee relations, performance management or workplace conduct training.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Strong expertise in investigative file management, documentation standards, and audit/compliance readiness. Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills. Comprehensive knowledge of HR frameworks, applicable employment laws, regulations, and best practices. Advanced investigative skills, including interviewing, research, evidence analysis, mediation, and report writing, with the ability to manage complex, sensitive, and high-risk cases involving diverse employee populations with professionalism and discretion. Ability to interpret policy, advise academic and administrative leaders on matters, and apply critical thinking and sound judgment to achieve fair, consistent outcomes. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities while maintaining detailed, audit-ready documentation. Proficiency in Maxient or similar case management systems. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, attention to detail and accuracy are essential. Comprehensive computer program skills are necessary. Ability to calmly handle highly stressful and demanding situations in a professional and confidential manner.

Posting Number: FTE-S01208P

Number of Vacancies: 1

Desired Start Date: 11/23/2026

Job Open Date: 10/13/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Coastal Carolina University is an EO/AA employer.