Advise leaders on appropriate approaches to performance
management, coaching, corrective action, disciplinary action, and
other employment decisions.
Assess employee relations situations, identify potential risks,
and recommend practical and consistent solutions.
Support employees and leaders in resolving workplace conflicts
and concerns through consultation, facilitated conversations,
mediation, coaching, and other appropriate interventions.
Partner with the Assistant Director of Employee Relations on
complex, sensitive, and/or high-risk employee relations matters and
build offerings for the employee population in anticipation of
future concerns and current trends.
Promote consistent application of university policies,
procedures, and employment practices across departments.
Workplace Reviews and Investigations
- Conduct impartial and thorough reviews and investigations of
workplace concerns, including gathering and analyzing relevant
information, interviewing involved parties and witnesses, and
documenting findings.
- Prepare clear, well-organized investigation reports, summaries,
correspondence, and other documentation.
- Identify policy, unit themes, or organizational concerns
arising from investigations and recommend appropriate follow-up
actions.
- Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when
handling sensitive employee information.
Performance Management and Corrective Action
- Coach supervisors and managers on establishing performance
expectations, providing effective- timely feedback, and addressing
performance or conduct concerns.
- Review and assist in developing performance improvement plans,
corrective actions, disciplinary documentation, and related
communications.
- Help leaders distinguish performance, workplace conflict,
and/or organizational issues to recommend appropriate
responses.
- Support consistent and well-documented employment decisions
through SOP creation and guideline, recordings, and training build
outs for HRBPs and supervisors.
Policy and Compliance
- Interpret and provide guidance regarding CU Denver and
University of Colorado's employment policies, procedures, and
applicable employment requirements.
- Stay informed regarding changes in employment laws, university
policies, and employee relations best practices.
- Collaborate with appropriate HR colleagues and university
partners when matters involve areas such as accommodations, leave,
compensation, benefits, employment decisions or other specialized
HR functions.
- Identify trends or recurring issues and recommend improvements
to policies, processes, training, or management practices.
Partnership, Training, and Organizational Support
- Build collaborative relationships with university leaders,
employees, HR colleagues, and campus partners.
- Develop and deliver training, tools, and resources on employee
relations topics such as employee engagement, performance
management, difficult conversations, documentation, conflict
resolution, and workplace expectations.
- Participate in HR initiatives and projects that strengthen
employee experience, manager effectiveness, and organizational
culture.
- Maintain accurate and timely employee relations case records
and documentation.
- Track case activity and contribute to reporting and analysis of
employee relations trends and their connection to retention,
turnover, and solutions for positive employee experience.
Qualifications you already possess (Minimum
Qualifications)
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of
hire.
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration,
organizational leadership, public administration, or a related
field. A combination of education and relevant professional
experience may be considered in accordance with university
requirements.
- Three (3) years of professional experience performing employee
relations work, including experience advising managers and
employees on workplace issues, performance management, corrective
action, policy interpretation, conflict resolution, and/or
workplace investigations.
- Experience independently managing employee relations cases or
workplace concerns.
Substitution: A combination of education and related
technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the
bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.
Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred
Qualifications)
- Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible employee
relations or human resources experience.
- Experience conducting workplace investigations, including
interviewing witnesses, evaluating information, documenting
findings, and preparing written reports.
- Employee relations experience in higher education, government,
public-sector, or another complex organization.
- Experience advising leaders regarding performance improvement
plans, corrective actions, disciplinary matters, and complex
workplace conflicts.
- Knowledge of federal and Colorado employment laws and HR
practices.
- Experience or certification in mediation, coaching,
facilitation, and/or conflict management.
- Experience working in an environment with multiple employee
groups, employment classifications, or governing policies.
- Professional HR certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR,
or SPHR.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong employee relations consultation and case-management
skills.
- Ability to remain objective and impartial when addressing
sensitive or contentious workplace matters.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk-assessment
abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish
credibility and trust with employees and leaders at all
organizational levels.
- Ability to navigate difficult conversations with
professionalism, empathy, clarity, and appropriate firmness.
- Strong writing skills, including the ability to prepare clear
case documentation, reports, recommendations, and
employment-related correspondence.
- Ability to interpret and consistently apply policies and
procedures.
- Ability to manage multiple cases and priorities while meeting
deadlines.
- Sound judgment and the ability to recognize when matters should
be escalated.
- Commitment to professional, respectful, and equitable workplace
practices.
- Ability to collaborate effectively within Human Resources and
across a complex university environment.
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential
information with discretion.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex workplace situations,
exercise sound judgment, and develop practical
recommendations.
Conditions of Employment
- This position follows a hybrid work structure where employees
can work remotely or from the office, as needed, based on demands
of specific tasks. Working from the office is encouraged when
working on tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.
Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements
- This position may be performed in a hybrid environment,
requiring the ability to work effectively in a remote setting. This
includes maintaining a dedicated workspace free of excessive noise
or distractions, reliable internet connectivity, and the ability to
participate in virtual meetings for extended periods. Employees
must be able to independently manage time, remain stationary for
prolonged computer-based work, and transport necessary equipment
(such as a laptop and peripherals) between their remote work
location and the office as needed.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all
applicable federal, state, and local laws governing
nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a
workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and
dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to
apply, including protected veterans and individuals with
disabilities.
The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants
with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To
request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with
Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA
Coordinator at
workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu
.
Employment Sponsorship
Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the
future for visa sponsorship.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range (
or hiring range) for this position has
been established at $ 80,000- $85,000.
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set
based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to,
internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.The
above salary range (
or hiring range) represents the
University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of
possible compensation at the time of posting.
This position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Your total
compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The
University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans
and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Benefits:
https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits
Total Compensation Calculator:
http://www.cu.edu/node/153125
Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until September 7, 2026.
Required Application Materials:
To apply, please visit:
http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and
attach:
- A cover letter which specifically addresses the job
requirements and outlines qualifications
- A current CV/resume
- List of three references (we will notify you prior to
contacting both on and off-list references)
Questions should be directed to Tawnya Boulier,
tawnya.boulier@ucdenver.edu
.
Background Check Policy
The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and
productive educational, clinical, research and employment
environment. All prospective employees and current employees must,
therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final
appointment/employment.
Qualifications :