Human Resource Director – Employee Relations and HR Operations

Suffolk County Community College is seeking an experienced Human Resource Director to lead all aspects of employee relations within the college as a trusted advisor to college leadership, faculty, and staff, through coaching, training, and guidance on complex employee relations matters including discipline, performance management, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and policy compliance while supporting the college's goals for engagement, retention, and strategic effectiveness. Reporting to the Vice President for Human Resources (VPHR), this key role will contribute in fostering a culture of continuous improvement, respect and an accountable workplace culture.

The Human Resource Director is an exempt position; compensation will be based on the college's exempt salary and benefit plan. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision, vacation days, deferred compensation, and a defined benefit (pension) plan.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducts confidential workplace investigatory interviews with complainants, respondents, and witnesses; reviews relevant documentation and evidence including, but not limited to, allegations of misconduct and policy violations.
• Prepares comprehensive investigative reports with findings and recommendations.
• Implements early intervention strategies to reduce conflict and foster accountability.
• Assists managers in establishing action plans to address performance issues.
• Serves as the subject matter expert to facilitate conflict resolutions and mediates disputes.
• Partners with Legal Affairs, Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, and other relevant offices on investigations and compliance matters, as appropriate.
• Tracks, analyzes, and reports on employee relations trends to inform policy development, training needs, and organizational improvements.
• Provides training and guidance to administrators on complex employee relations issues, performance improvement plans, coaching and counseling.
• Develops and implements investigation protocols, procedures, and documentation standards to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws, collective bargaining agreements and college policies.
• Facilitates and supports grievance administration, including interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements and preparation of responses and supporting documentation.
• Collaborates with the VPHR to identify and implement process improvements to enhance HR operations.
• Ensures consistent and compliant application of HR policies, collective bargaining agreements, and civil service rules.
• Oversight of the end-to-end reasonable accommodation review process in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state/local regulations, and college policy.
• Conducts timely and thorough assessments of accommodation requests including review of medical documentation, evaluating job requirements, and collaborating with HR staff, legal counsel and department leadership to ensure a fair and equitable process.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to operate effectively both independently and in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
• Extensive experience conducting workplace investigations, including writing comprehensive investigative reports.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, labor relations, and compliance requirements.
• Experience working in a unionized environment with multiple collective bargaining agreements.
• Has a deep understanding of FMLA, ADA, and state-specific leave regulations.
• Task orientated with proven ability to drive positive results.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex and sensitive situations with confidentiality and sound judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills with attention to detail.
• Exceptional analytical, evaluative, research, and critical thinking skills to arrive at valid conclusions, make recommendations, and action plans.
• Strong work ethic, character and personal integrity with the ability to work with the utmost professionalism, discretion and confidentiality, as well as to establish and maintain productive working relationships.

Minimum

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 7 years of direct employee relations experience in conducting investigations in a large complex unionized environment.
• At least one (1) year of supervisory experience in a Human Resources or Employee Relations capacity.

Preferred

• Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Public Administration, or a related field or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• SHRM Certification or equivalent HR certification.
• Experience in higher education and/or public sector environments.
• Prior experience in a higher education setting.